Romans 9
Privileges of the Jewish peopleverses 1-5
I say the truth in Christ – I lie not
my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost
that I have great heaviness
and continual sorrow in my heart
FOR I could wish that myself were accursed
from Christ for my brethren
my kinsmen according to the flesh
Who are Israelites
to whom pertains the adoption – glory – covenants
giving of the law – service of God – promises
whose are the fathers – and of whom as concerning the flesh
Christ came WHO is over all – God blessed for ever
AMEN
Children of promise given salvationverses 6-9
Not as though the word of God has taken none effect
for they are not all Israel – which are of Israel – neither
BECAUSE they are the seed of Abraham
are they all children
BUT – In Isaac shall your seed be called
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
FOR this is the word of promise
At this time will I come – and Sarah shall have a son
God chose Jacob over Esauverses 10-13
AND not only this
BUT when Rebecca also had conceived by one
even by our father Isaac
(For the children being not yet born
neither having done any good or evil
that the purpose of God according
to election might stand
not of works
BUT of HIM that called)
It was said to her – The elder shall serve the younger
as it is written – Jacob have I loved
BUT Esau have I hated
Is God unfair?verses 14-24
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God?
God forbid
FOR HE says to Moses
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy
and I will have compassion on whom
I will have compassion
SO THEN it is not of him that wills – nor of him that runs
but of God that shows mercy
FOR the scripture says unto Pharoah
Even for this same purpose have I raised you up
that I might show MY power in you
and that MY name might be declared
throughout all the earth
THEREFORE has HE mercy on whom HE will have mercy
and whom HE will HE hardens
You will say then unto ME – Why dies HE yet find fault?
FOR who hath resisted HIS will?
Nay but – O man – who are you that replies against God?
Shall the thing formed say to HIM that formed it
Why have you made me thus?
Has not the potter power over the clay
of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor
and another unto dishonor?
What if God – willing to show HIS wrath
and to make HIS power known
endured with much long-suffering
the vessels of wrath
fitted to destruction
And that HE might make known the riches of HIS glory on the
vessels of mercy which HE had afore prepared unto glory
even us whom HE has called – not of the Jews only
but also of the Gentiles?
Prophets state that Gentiles will be savedverses 25-29
As HE said also in Hosea
I will call them MY people – which were not MY people
and her beloved – which was not beloved
AND it shall come to pass that in the place where it was
said to them You are not MY people
there shall they be called the
children of the living God
Isaiah also cried concerning Israel
Though the number of the children of Israel
be as the sand of the sea
a remnant shall be saved
FOR HE will finish the work
and cut it short in righteousness
because a short work will the Lord
make upon the earth
And as Isaiah said before
Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed
we had been as Sodom
and been made like unto Gomorrah
Israel trying to work their way to heavenverses 30-33
What shall we say then?
That the Gentiles – which followed not after righteousness
have attained to righteousness
even the righteousness which is of FAITH
BUT Israel – which followed after the law of righteousness
has not attained to the law of righteousness
WHEREFORE? BECAUSE they sought it not by FAITH
but as it were by the works of the law
for they stumbled at that stumbling stone
As it is written
BEHOLD – I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense
and whosoever BELIEVES on HIM shall not be ashamed
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (331 “accursed” [anathema] means an oath, solemn, a votive offering, anything devoted to destruction, anything devoted to evil, or excommunicated)
DEVOTION: Paul loved his fellow Jew. He loved them so much that if it was possible he would rather be sent to hell for eternity, so that, all his fellow Jews would become followers of Jesus Christ.
We know that this was impossible because every individual has to make a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ. It is not a group decision it is an individual decision.
We find that only a remnant of Israel is going to be saved because of their personal choice. Many of them thought because they were descendants of Abraham they were going to heaven no matter what. They were wrong. Being born into a Jewish family doesn’t give them the right to be born into the family of God.
This is a problem today. Many people who think they are believers because they had believing parents are wrong. Some think that because their family was a member of a church and they are a member of the same church they should get into heaven. They are wrong.
Many of us would rather we go to the lake of fire if our children can only go to heaven. Every parent wants their child to become a believer if they are genuine believers. This doesn’t happen all the time.
I know a family where the father was a pastor and his son followed with a profession of faith and attended the same church the pastor preached in and was a good Christian. He had sons who were raised in the church but none of them followed the LORD as adults. It broke the father’s heart. He said he did everything he could right but they still were not following the LORD. He would have rather seen his sons go to heaven but that is not what is going to happen.
Every person has to make a proper decision to follow Jesus. No one can go on someone else’s apron strings.
CHALLENGE: Learn from Paul that each of your family members or members in your church has to make a genuine step of faith to become a genuine believer on their way to heaven.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (93 “unrighteousness” [adikia] means iniquity, unjust, wrong, a deed violating law and justice, doing what is unjust, sin, wrongdoing, offence, or fraud)
DEVOTION: We live in a generation that likes to use the word “unfair” in about every sentence. They want everything to be fair. They want everyone to have the same things. They want everyone to have the same opportunities. They want everyone to have the same pay. They want everyone to have the same education. They want. They want. They want.
Paul is trying to teach that some people are chosen before the foundation of the world because God knew how they would act in their lifetime before they lived their life. It is hard for us to understand.
We find that today we have many people who can look at the parents of a child before he/she is born and tell you how smart they will be. They can tell what habits they will have. They can tell what genes they will give to their children. Usually they are right.
However, God is always right. HE can cause people from families that these people tried to say would turn out one way and HE can know they to turn out different. HE doesn’t judge by human standards.
HE can say that He loves someone before they are born because HE knows how they will turn out. HE can say that HE will not love another child from the same parents because HE knows how they will turn out.
HIS omniscience beats our human mind ALL the time. Trust in the LORD and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path.
CHALLENGE: God is never unfair – HE is always Holy.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 20 Nay but, O man, who aret you that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why, have you made me thus?
(4110 “formed” [plasma] means molded, fabrication, or the thing molded by a potter)
DEVOTION: Paul is dealing with our understanding of who God is and how HE works in the lives of people. He is looking into a doctrine that we don’t completely understand. The doctrine is the election of God concerning those who are chosen to follow HIM.
God is the potter and we are the clay. Some of the clay is chosen to be a vessel of honor. Some of the clay is chosen to be a vessel of dishonor. What is the difference? God is not found in time, we are. Time means nothing to HIM because HE knows the beginning from the end.
Some people are going to heaven and some are going to hell for eternity. Those who are “elect” are going to heaven for eternity. They were chosen before the foundation of the earth.
What about those who are not “elect?” Did they have a chance? This chapter tells us that God was “long-suffering” toward those who are “vessels of wrath.” Who are the “vessels of wrath?” They are those who harden themselves against God and HE gives them over to their choice. Pharaoh was an example of someone who hardened his heart regarding the releasing of the children of Israel from Egypt. The Jews of Jesus’ day on this earth were an example of those who rejected HIS message and therefore were not chosen by God to be HIS followers. Christ was the stumbling stone they were not willing to accept.
Remember HE does know the future. HE does whatever HE wants with humans but NO human being can stand before HIM on judgment day and say that they were not given an opportunity to be a follower of HIM. They chose to disregard HIS message and warning to them.
CHALLENGE: We don’t know who the “elect” are, so we have the responsibility to witness to all those we come in contact with on a daily basis as the Holy Spirit gives us direction. Obey HIS leading!!!
: 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on HIM shall not be ashamed. (4348 “stumblingstone” [proskomma] means offence, and obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls, that over which a soul stumbles i.e. by which is caused to sin, occasion to sin, or one who eats something that causes someone else to fall into sin)
DEVOTION: Jesus Christ was both a stumbling stone and a rock of offense to the leadership of the Jewish religion. They had moved away from follow the LORD to following the rules of the LORD. They had become external followers instead of internal believers.
They thought they were on the right road to heaven and Jesus had to inform them that they were not. They could not depend on their birth right as Jews. They could not depend on the Law of Moses to get them into heaven. They could not count on their works.
God sent prophets in the Old Testament that taught them that the Messiah was coming. Jesus didn’t fit what they thought the Messiah would do. Jesus taught like none of them taught. Jesus wanted an internal change but they were just looking at external change. Jesus wanted them to store their treasure in heaven but they were storing it on earth. They wanted their rewards of praise on earth when the LORD Jesus Christ taught them to do everything in private and the Father would reward them in public. They wanted the praise of men over the praise of God.
Jesus was a revolutionary in the sense that he taught us that we were to reach people one at a time and the kingdom of God would grow. Our responsibility is to be like Jesus. We need to reach people one at a time. We need to follow them up with good instruction, so that, they can win one at a time. That is how the kingdom of God will grow. One person at a time!
We seem to think it is our responsibility to change culture by condemning those who are not following the Bible. It will never happen. Jesus did it the right way and we need to follow HIS example.
CHALLENGE: Are we doing something that is causing someone to sin because they are watching us instead of listening to the LORD?
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Giving of the Law verse 4
Word of God verse 6
Abraham verse 7
Isaac verse 7
As it is written verses 13, 33
Moses verse 15
Scripture verse 17
Hosea verse 25
Isaiah verses 27, 29
Law of righteousness verse 31
Works of the Law verse 32
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verses 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 20, 22
Service of God verse 4
God blesses Christ verse 5
Word of God verse 6
Children of God verse 8
Purpose of God (Election) verse 11
Shows mercy verses 15, 16, 18
Compassion verse 15
Power verse 17
MY name verse 17
Creator verse 20
Wrath verse 22
Long-suffering verse 22
Riches of HIS glory verse 23
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Christ verses 1, 3, 5
Finish the work verse 28
Lord verse 28
Lord of Sabaoth verse 29
Stumbling stone verses 32, 33
Rock of offense verse 33
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Holy Ghost verse 1
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God forbid verse 14
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Pharaoh verse 17
Gentiles verses 24, 30
Sodom verse 29
Gomorrah verse 29
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Lie verse 1
Accursed verse 3
Evil verse 11
Unrighteousness verse 14
Hardened verse 18
Fault verse 19
Dishonor verse 21
Stumbling verse 32
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Truth verse 1
Good Conscience verse 1
Children of God verse 8
Good verse 11
Election verse 11
Called verses 11, 24, 25
Mercy verses 15, 16, 18, 23
Compassion verse 15
Honor verse 21
Prepared unto glory verse 23
Children of the living God verse 26
Saved verse 27
Righteousness verses 28, 30, 31
Faith verse 30, 32
Believe verse 33
Not be ashamed verse 33
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Brethren verse 3
Kinsmen of Paul verse 3
Israelites verses 4, 6, 31
Adoption verse 4
Glory verse 4
Covenants verse 4
Giving of law verse 4
Service of God verse 4
Promises verse 4
Seed of Abraham verse 7
Isaac verses 7, 10
Children of the flesh verse 8
Children of the promise verse 8
Word of promise verse 9
Sarah verse 9
Rebecca verse 10
Elder shall serve younger verse 12
Jacob verse 13
Esau verse 13
Moses verse 15
Jews verse 24
Hosea verse 25
Isaiah verses 27, 29
Remnant will be saved verse 27
Not attained to the law of righteousness verses 31, 32
Sion (Jerusalem) verse 33
Church (New Testament people of God)
Children of God verse 8
Children of the living God verse 26
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
God was not permanently casting away the people of Israel, however. In the verses quoted by Paul God promised to restore them as His beloved and as His people. By ethnic heritage the Gentiles were not God’s people, so Paul was led by the Spirit of God to apply these verses to Gentiles—and Jews also—who were sovereignly chosen by God and called to be His people in Christ. The quotation of Hosea 2:23 is rather free with the order of the clauses reversed to fit the application to Gentiles. Paul was applying these verses from Hosea to the Gentiles, not reinterpreting them. He was not saying that Israel of the Old Testament is part of the church. (Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 478–479). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
All of this was prophesied (vv. 25–29). First Paul quoted Hosea 2:23, a statement declaring that God would turn from the Jews and call the Gentiles. Then he cited Hosea 1:10 to prove that this new people being called would be God’s people and “children of the living God.” He then quoted Isaiah 10:22–23 to show that only a remnant of Israel would be saved, while the greater part of the nation would suffer judgment. Romans 9:28 probably refers to God’s work of judgment during the Tribulation, when the nation of Israel will be persecuted and judged, and only a small remnant left to enter into the kingdom when Jesus Christ returns to earth. But the application for today is clear: only a remnant of Jews is believing; and they, together with the Gentiles, are the “called of God” (Rom. 9:24). The final quotation from Isaiah 1:9 emphasized the grace of God in sparing the believing remnant.
Now, what does all of this prove? That God was not unjust in saving some and judging others, because He was only fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies given centuries ago. He would be unjust if He did not keep His own Word. But even more than that, these prophecies show that God’s election has made possible the salvation of the Gentiles. This is the grace of God. At the Exodus, God rejected the Gentiles and chose the Jews, so that, through the Jews, He might save the Gentiles. The nation of Israel rejected His will, but this did not defeat His purposes. A remnant of Jews does believe and God’s Word has been fulfilled.
So far, Paul had defended the character of God by showing His faithfulness, His righteousness, and His justice. Israel’s rejection had not canceled God’s election; it had only proved that He was true to His character and His purposes. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 545). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Beginning with verse 19, and going on to the end of the chapter, the apostle undertakes to meet the objection of the fatalist, the man who says, “Well, granting all you’ve been saying, then God’s decrees are irresistible and I myself am but an automaton, moved about at His will, absolutely without responsibility. Why does He find fault? What ground can there be for judgment of a creature who can never will nor run but as God Himself directs? To resist His will is impossible. Where, then, does moral responsibility come in?”
Such objections to the doctrine of the Divine Sovereignty have been raised from the earliest days. But, inasmuch as we have already seen that the apostle simply has in view privilege here on earth, those objections fall to the ground. The privileged Jew may fail utterly to appreciate the blessings lavished upon him, and so come under divine condemnation; while the ignorant barbarian, bereft of all the blessings of civilization and enlightenment, may, nevertheless, have an exercised conscience that will lead him into the presence of God. At any rate, it is the height of impiety for puny man to sit in judgment upon God. It is as though the vessel wrought upon the wheel should turn to the potter and ask, indignantly, “Why hast thou made me thus?” Clearly, he who has the intelligence to form vessels out of clay has the right to make them of such shape or size or for such use as he deems best. Of the very same lump of clay he may make one vessel unto honor, to be displayed upon the sideboard to admiring throngs, and another unto dishonor, for use in a scullery, and altogether without beauty or attractiveness. If God, the great Former of all, willing to manifest both His anger and His power, endures, with much long-suffering, vessels that call down His indignation because having a will, which the work of the potter has not, they deliberately fit themselves for destruction, shall anyone find fault if He manifests the riches of His glory in His dealings with other vessels of mercy which He has had in view for the glory of His Son from eternity? And such vessels of mercy are the called of God, whether Jews by birth or Gentiles also. Passage after passage from the Old Testament is called into requisition to show that this is nothing new in God’s ways with men, and that the prophets have foreseen just such a setting aside of Israel and taking up of the Gentiles as has already taken place. Hosea testified that God has said, “I will call them My people which were not My people, and her beloved which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said unto them, ‘Ye are not My people’, they shall be called the children of the living God.” Israel forfeited all title to be called His people. During the present dispensation, when grace is going out to the Gentiles, they would be set to one side nationally, as by-and-by the same grace that is now being shown to the nations will be manifested again to them, and they shall once more be called the children of the living God. Isaiah prophesied that although the number of the children of Israel should be as the sands of the sea, yet of this vast throng only a remnant should be saved, and that in the day of the Lord’s indignation, when He would be executing His judgment upon the earth. The same prophet saw the sin of the people as the sin of the cities of the plain, and exclaimed, “Except the Lord of hosts hath left us a seed, we should be as Sodom, and be made like unto Gomorrah.”
What then, is the conclusion? Simply that the unrighteous Gentiles have, through grace, attained to a righteousness which is of faith. They followed not after righteousness, but God in righteousness pursued after them and made known His gospel, that they might believe and be saved. Israel, on the other hand, to whom He had given a law of righteousness, were even more guilty than the Gentiles, for they refused to follow it and therefore they missed that righteousness which the law would have inculcated.
Why did they miss it? Because they failed to realize that is it only to be obtained by faith, and that no man, by his own power, can ever keep that holy and perfect law. When God sent His Son into the world, who is the embodiment of all perfection, in whom the law was fulfilled perfectly, they knew Him not, but stumbled over the stumbling stone of a lowly Christ when they were expecting a triumphant King. They realized not their need of one who could accomplish righteousness on their behalf, because they lacked faith. And so they fulfilled the Scripture in condemning Him. But, nevertheless, wherever He is individually received by faith, He saves the soul that trusts Him, though the nation has stumbled and fallen. According as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone, and a rock of offence, and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” When He came in grace the first time, Israel refused Him. But “the stone that the builders rejected is made the Head of the corner.” When He comes again He will be as the stone, falling in judgment upon the Gentiles, whereas Israel then repentant and regenerated will see in Him the chief corner stone. (Ironside, H. A. (1928). Lectures on the Epistle to the Romans. (pp. 122–125). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
Verse 26: And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there shall they be called sons of the living God. Here now come the Gentiles,—according to verse 24. No Gentile nation was ever called a people of God! Nor are the Gentiles today called such. Although in the Millennium all the Gentiles “upon whom the Lord’s Name is called,” will seek Him (Acts 15:17); yet Israel are his elect people, always.
But now “some better thing” has been provided for us (Heb. 11:40) both Jewish and Gentile believers of this “day of salvation”: Sons of the Living God! See Galatians 4:1–7. The Spirit of God’s Son cries Abba, Father, in our hearts, who “partake of the heavenly calling.”
God’s infinite grace takes up those who were once (and that by our Lord Himself) called “dogs”—as compared with the “children”—nation of Israel, and gives them a heavenly calling: far above that of earthly Israel,—even when restored! “Sons of the Living God”—oh, let us give praise unto Him! (Newell, W. R. (n.d.). Romans Verse-by-Verse (pp. 262–263). Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library.)
Ver. 26. And it shall come to pass that in the place, &c.] This is another citation out of Hosea, and is to be seen in ch. 1:10 and the meaning is, that in those countries, as here in Great-Britain, in the very self-same place, or spot of ground, where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; where were nothing but idolatry and idolatrous worshippers, and whose worship, works, and actions, declared them not to be the people of God: there shall they be called the children of the living God; not only children of God, but of the living God; in opposition to their idol-gods, their lifeless deities, and senseless statues of gold, silver, brass, wood, or stone, they fell down to and worshipped. The chosen of God among the Gentiles, were from all eternity predestinated to the adoption of children; this blessing was provided, laid up, and secured for them, in the covenant of grace; in this relation of children were they given to Christ, and under this consideration of them did he partake of the same flesh and blood with them, and died, to gather them together, who were scattered abroad in the several parts of the world; and because they were antecedently sons by adopting grace, therefore the spirit of God in effectual calling is sent down into their hearts to bear witness to their spirits, that they are the children of the living God, and to work faith in their souls to believe it; by which grace they receive this blessing, as all others, even the right and privilege of being the children of God; by this they claim it, and enjoy the comfort of it; and so are manifestatively, both to themselves and others, the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; though this will more clearly appear another day, than it does now. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 513). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
God not only chooses Jewish people t be saved, but also Gentiles (v.24). Paul cited Hs 2:23 in 9;25, and Hs 1:10 in 9:26 (see the comments in Hosea), By analogy, Paul applied what is said of the restoration of apostate Jews to Gentiles. Paul used therse verses to indicate that God was fashioning for Himself a single people, consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, reconciled to Him by the work of Christ. But the citation of verses from Hosea does not indicate that “the Church fulfills the promises made to Israel” or that “the Church is the new Israel,” for Jewish believers like Paul were fulfilling Hosea’s prophecy and later Israel will be reconciled as a whole (cf. 11:25, 26). (p. 1761, The Moody Bible Commentary by Michael Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham)
FROM MY READING:
The union isn’t physical, but theological. Union with Christ implies three things: solidarity (Christ as the second Adam is our representative, transformation (Christ by the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out), and communion (Christ abides with us as our God. Union (p. 96, The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung)
Genesis 37
Jacob’s son, Joseph, is sold by his brothers.
INSIGHT
Feeling loved is one of life’s greatest needs. When we do not feel loved, we often will go to great lengths to try to earn love or retaliate against those who keep us from being loved.
Joseph’s brothers contemplated murder but instead kidnapped Joseph to get rid of him. His brothers thought of him as a threat — all because Jacob displayed his preference for Joseph.
Jacob’s preferential treatment of Joseph in no way condones the actions of the brothers, but it points out to us as Christians that we should love all men as Christ would. When individuals feel that love, it makes it easier for them to love others in return.
(Quiet Walk)
THE NEW BIRTH
No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:29
If you are regenerate, you will remain regenerate. It seems to me that this is absolutely inevitable because regeneration is the work of God. Yet there are those who seem to think that people can be born again as the result of believing the truth, and then if they backslide or fall into sin or deny the truth, they lose their regeneration, but if they come back again and believe again, then they are regenerate again—as if one can be born again and die and be born again and die an endless number of times!
How important doctrine is! How important it is that we should be clear as to what the Scripture teaches about these things! It tells us that regeneration is the work of God Himself in the depths of the soul and that He does it in such a way that it is permanent. “No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29).
“I am persuaded,” says Paul, and let us notice this, “I am persuaded”—he is certain—“that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). And when Paul says that, he is expounding regeneration. It is not merely the relationship between us—it is because He has put this life in me that nothing can separate me from Him. And when we come to deal with the mystical union that follows directly from this, we see how still more inevitable this must be. This is a permanent work, and nothing can ever bring it to an end.
Regenerate people cannot go on sinning because they are born of God (1 John 3:9). They may backslide temporarily, but if they are born of God they will come back. It is as certain as that they have been born again. This is the way to test whether or not someone is born again.
A Thought to Ponder
Regeneration is the work of God Himself
in the depths of the soul, and it is permanent.
(From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 93-94, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Holy Spirit’s Ministry: Absolute Assurance
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:33-34)
This is an amazing proof of God’s limitless love for us. God Himself did not hesitate to deliver His own Son as payment for us. God gave the dearest, the most precious, the most excellent Gift He could possibly give—His one and only Son—for you and me!
God will, therefore, “freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32). The Word of God contains much Scripture written on these “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Not only has the omniscient Creator acted in love toward us, but He did so knowing “our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14).
Surely you will remember the gentle record that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s love was given unilaterally toward us. We must be drawn to our Lord’s love by the heavenly Father Himself (John 6:44).
Since the entire process is God’s process from beginning to end, “he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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