Nov 11
5
The children of the Promise Chris Cunningham
Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
The message of this passage of scripture is simple, clear and unmistakable. The earthly nation of Israel are not God’s people. That is plainly stated in verses 7 and 8. God’s people are called here the seed and the children of promise and being a Jew does not make you one of those. Only those who are chosen in Christ (the Seed) from before the foundation of the world are God’s people. Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ‘s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
All of the promises of blessing in Christ are made to the heirs of the promise, not earthly Israel, but spiritual Israel. Nothing could be more plainly revealed in the word of God. Many consider the earthly nation of Israel to have some kind of divine protection and favor from God. Let me be clear about this: If you reject the Lord Jesus Christ being a Jew will not keep you from suffering God’s eternal wrath in Hell, and if you receive Him, believe on Him, being a Gentile will in no way hinder you from enjoying all spiritual blessings in Him. The favor of God is in Christ, not in bloodlines or family trees.