Romans 9

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel. (Romans 9:6)

This chapter is about the Sovereignty of God.

"I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."

Sounds like a bigot?

Think of it this way: we are all headed for doom. Yet God still intervenes and desires to save us. And what is the only condition? That we have faith in Him.

It is therefore by faith that we become the heirs of God.

Many of the Jews got it wrong. They thought that by being the heirs of Abraham according to the flesh, they were naturally the children of God. But the Bible tells us that they have stumbled because they did not seek it by faith (Romans 9:32).

When we choose to seek in faith, God has mercy on us.

This verse also reminded me of a verse in Luke.

John the Baptist warned this, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." (Luke 3:8)

Now, how about considering the verse at the top in this manner?

"For they are not all true believers who are in the true church."

Scary, isn't it? Think about it, you have been an Israelite all your life, and then someone comes up to you one day and say, "No, you are not Israel!"

Being in the true church all our lives does not necessary mean that we are all destined for heaven. It is our faith and our actions of faith that pave the way for us.

Often, we do not experience the effect of God's saving grace in our lives. But this verse here reminds us that it is not that the word of God has taken no effect; rather, have we allowed the power of His word to manifest itself fully in our lives?

We have ourselves belittled the power of the Spirit in our lives. How then will this power work mightily in us?

May we become the true Israelites in His house, with the Spirit working mightily in our lives.