It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
There has been a lot of sin uncovered in the church as of late. Pastors in Texas with child porn on their computers to a local pastor who just committed suicide. I attend a church that I would call a Bible believing, Evangelical, Mission focused Christian Church. It is solid. Does that mean since it's a Christian church everyone is a Christian? I wish that were true but it's not. Who isn't a Christian? I don't know, but God knows. How? Well, he's omniscient so there's that but also, He knows the heart, He sees behind closed doors, and He sees the future play out before it happens because He is outside of time. Therefore, let's say there is a pedophile working with the youth and no one knows. God knows and when they stand before Him some day, they will justly receive His wrath.
We on the other hand are like the parable of the wheat and tares. The devil has sown fakes among us, and we can't tell who they are. Some people may be misbehaving and we go "Aha!" but God says, no they're just baby Christians. Both Peter and Judas denied Christ, yet one was the pillar of the church, and one lives in infamy. The parable goes on to say, let both coexist and then there will be a separation by the One who knows the difference at the Great White Throne Judgement.
Paul in Romans 9 likewise says just because God chose a people group, Israel, not everyone that was part of "Israel" was truly "Israel". Jesus said He came for "the lost sheep of Israel." What's that mean? It means that even though He chose a group to reveal Himself to and through whom to reveal Himself to the world, many were not His. They were living lives of unbelief even though they were celebrating the feasts and holy days, they were sacrificing animals, observing dietary laws and even wearing Yamakas (I made that up) yet they were not "saved" in the Old Testament way which was still with a surrendered heart of faith.
Jacob and Esau, twins growing up in a Godly family which was given the promises of God, even talked with God, and would someday bring the Messiah into the world through their family tree, would separate as one who valued this and one who despised this. You couldn't tell until it happened, but God knew before they were even born. He saw the future even though Isaac favored Esau over Jacob. He couldn't see it, but God could.
So what's the point? Examine your own heart not others. Fan the flame of belief and faith in the body and never waver. Don't fear judgement because we as believers will be going to a rewards ceremony not a courthouse.
No comments:
Post a Comment