Weekly Devotional - July 21

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who

are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

Romans 9:6-13

The verses 9-13 in Romans are crucial for the doctrine of unconditional election and

predestination, concepts that are not universally accepted among professing Christians today. R.C. Sproul has identified several common attempts by Christians to evade the implications of unconditional election and predestination. Firstly, some avoid discussing Romans 9 and instead focus on texts that emphasize a person’s free will in choosing or not choosing Jesus. They ignore Romans 9, which addresses the underlying reasons for our choices. Secondly, there are those who argue that Romans 9 was written to nations and not individuals. However, Paul specifically identifies individuals as examples of predestination and unconditional election, contradicting the interpretation of this chapter as referring to people groups. Thirdly, some contend that Paul is referring to people receiving temporal blessings but not salvation. This view conflicts with the preceding chapters. Lastly, many interpret predestination through the lens of God’s omniscience, suggesting that He chooses based on what He knows we will eventually do or not do. However, Paul’s illustration denies any involvement of performance of any kind as contributing to God’s unconditional election.

Take special note of verse 11,

“. . . or though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls. . . .”

Romans 9:11