Romans 9: 1-5
I speak the truth in Christ–I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit–I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
A Thought
Paul is expressing his sorrow and anguish because of the unbelief of receiving the truth of Jesus the Christ. Paul acknowledges that God had made covenants, given the law, made temple worship, given promises, even traced the human ancestry of Christ back to the patriarchs of Israel. Paul explains that because of their unbelief, Jesus is God not only to the Jews, but to all who will believe. We are not God’s children simply because we were raised in the church any more than the Jews are God’s children because of who their descendants were. We must all have faith in Christ whether the Jews who were looking forward to the promise or each of us in faith looking back to the life, death and resurrection of Christ. We must all in faith – believe!
Our Prayer
Father today we pray for all people, including the people of Israel, that they will accept your plan of salvation and grace freely given to all people to become your children by faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Lead us by your Holy Spirit to grow in faith whereby, we will be transformed in the likeness of Christ. We ask in the name of Jesus’ name, amen.
