Friday, 24 October 2025

Romans part 118 - One in Messiah 7

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Romans 9:6-7 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all those who are descended from Israel are Israel, nor are they all children because they are Abraham's seed; rather, "Your seed shall be called through Isaac."

Paul is making the case for an important spiritual distinction. There are those who are physical descendants and those who are spiritual descendants. He is actually remaking the case he already made ...

Romans 2:28-29 For one is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something visible in the flesh. Rather, the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart - in Spirit not in letter. His praise is not from men, but from God.

And again ... Romans 3:3-4a So what if some did not trust? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? May it never be!

A kosher circumcision will not increase a person's standing in the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:6 For in Messiah Yeshua, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any meaning - but only trust and faithfulness expressing itself through love. Then, just when we think we've understood God and His purposes, we have to deal with this also ...

Romans 3:1-2a Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Much in every way.

A right understanding is not based on a choice of Jew or Gentile, but an inclusion of both together. It is not "either/or," but "both/and." We need a proper understanding of God's promise to Abraham ... Genesis 17:4 For My part, because My covenant is with you, you will be the father of a multitude of nations. Abraham's physical descendants and his spiritual descendants are very different. They have a different heritage (past) and a different destiny (future).

So then, if there are so called, "completed Jews," then there must also be "completed Gentiles." Only by faith will anyone, Jewish or non-Jewish, receive his/her promise of life from the dead. Romans 4:16-17 For this reason it depends on trust, so that the promise according to grace might be guaranteed to all the offspring - not only to those of the Torah but also to those of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations"). He is our father in the sight of God in whom he trusted, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence that which does not exist.

Shalom shalom.