Romans 9: Who Are You?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
1. Christ (V1-19)
V1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,”
God revealed to Paul that he must not only preach to his own people, the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. However, Paul was falsely accused by some of the Jews for reaching out to the Gentiles. These Jews rejected God’s plan that whosoever believed in Christ could be saved. Though God promised Abraham that the Jews were His chosen people, yet God’s plan was for both Jews and Gentiles to believe in Him by faith. In fact, these Jews not only opposed Paul, but they sought to take his life. This was why Paul’s heart was heavy and sorrowful as he defended himself that he spoke the truth in Christ, and was of Christ.
V2 “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.”
2. Clay (V20-24)
V20 “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”
God through Paul rebuked the pride of these Jews who rejected the truth that God also loved the Gentiles and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Indeed, God is the Potter and we are the clay, and without God, we are nothing!
V21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
3. Children (V25-33)
V26 “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
God had chosen Israel to be His people to testify to the world that the God of Israel was the true God. However Israel failed God, as they rebelled against Him. God then sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and established His church to replace Israel as a witness that He is the true God. Hence all including the Gentiles who believe in Christ by faith are called the children of the true and living God.
V30 “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Potter and I am Your clay, Your child!
