Children of the promise

Romans 9:8 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. In this verse Paul further explained what he meant when he said previously, “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants.” The children of God, those who cannot be separated from God’s love in Christ are the children of promise and not the children of the flesh. The encouraging takeaway from this verse is this: There is the hope of glory for everyone who is in Christ. If only those who are descendants of Abraham in the flesh are children of God, then all who are not natural born Jews are excluded and cursed. All of Paul’s readers who were Gentiles are without hope. But because God decided that the children of God would be children of the promise, there’s hope for everyone. The second encouraging takeaway is that our hope of glory is based on God who made the promise. God’s promises give hope because we know He is able to accomplish what He promises. Here’s how Paul put it to the Galatians. Galatians 3:18 “For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.” Galatians 3:22 “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:29 “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” So we can see clearly that it was a big revelation to Paul and to us that we are heirs of the glory of God, not based on what we have done or not done, but upon what God has done in and through Jesus Christ. Let’s connect this to the love of God in Christ from which we can’t be separated. We can’t be separated from God because He has made His will, character, and glory the fountain of the love. This also is the fountain of our love for others. His love fills us so that we can love others with Him with the same love with which we have been loved. It is an act of faith in Christ to say to those we love that we promise to always love them. We can say that because love isn’t based on the flesh, but on the will, character, and promises of God. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com