QT 12/3/2024 Rom 9:1-7, Grace means you didn't deserve it

Romans 9:1–7 (ESV) —

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

 

NOTE: We need to understand Israel in God's terms. In the Old Testament, God says that the reason he chose Israel is because they were the weakest and smallest of the nations. God did not choose Israel because of any inherent goodness, intelligence, or strength. Abraham is a picture of constant back and forth failures before his declaration of faith. No, Israel was not special, but what made them special is that they experienced God's grace. They are a picture of God's grace. We need to understand the word grace, it means unmerited favor. They did nothing to earn God's favor, but it was placed upon a group that did not in any way merit it. That is why Paul is so heartbroken for his people. They were given so much and they blew it. They chose not to believe. What does all this mean to us? We also are born again because of grace. We did not merit it. We are not Christians because we were better than others or deserve it. We are saved by grace and that thought should consume us, unlike Israel which ignored it.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I truly understand the grace bestowed upon me?
2. Do I take my salvation for granted?

 

PRAYER: Father, I don't how to thank you for my salvation. Words are petty and incomplete. I am unworthy and yet you bestowed grace upon me. Thank you. Help me to live somewhat worthy of your kindness to me.

QT 12/2/2024 Rom 8:35-39, Remember we are loved in a pain-filled life

Romans 8:35–39 (ESV) —

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

NOTE: There are certainly times in this life when you don't feel very loved by God. Life hurts. It can hurt relationally, physically, and emotionally. Depression can set in during those times of pain. And it is then that you don't feel as if God cares or that you are loved by God. Pain, technically, is a reminder to the world that this is not what he created or intended for man. We rebelled against him and plunged this world into decay and groaning (as Paul has mentioned in the last chapter). He is going to restore life to how he intended, but that won't happen until Jesus returns. So what do we do now? We remember the promises. We memorize verses like the one above that says "… (nothing) in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

PONDER:

1. Have I given my life to Christ?
2. Have I ever experienced the promised love?
3. Do I truly believe or am I just religious?

 

PRAYER: Father, I have experienced your love many times, and I have also forgotten when life has become too painful. I know you love me and I will hang onto that process during days of sadness, praying that you would life my spirit?