Lesson 4740

 (Lesson 4740) (01-26-25) Romans 9:6-16 

   “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” 

 

    In today’s quote , Paul explained that not all who are descended from Israel are truly Israel, nor are all Abraham’s descendants considered his true children. Instead, the promise of God’s covenant was fulfilled through Isaac, not Ishmael, demonstrating that God’s blessings come by His sovereign choice. Paul used the example of Jacob and Esau, showing that God chose Jacob before they were born or had done anything good or bad, emphasizing that His purpose is based on His call, not human works. Paul asserted that God’s decisions are rooted in His mercy and compassion, as stated in Exodus 33:19: "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." He concluded that salvation depends not on human will or effort, but on God who shows mercy. ~ 

Lesson 4739

 (Lesson 4739) (01-25-25) Romans 9:1-5 

   “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul expressed deep sorrow and anguish for the Israelites, wishing that he could be accursed and separated from Christ if it meant their salvation. He acknowledged that the Israelites had many privileges, including being God's chosen people, having the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Paul emphasized that the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were their ancestors, and that through them, Christ came. He lamented that, despite these blessings, many of his fellow Jews had not accepted Jesus as the Messiah. ~ 

Lesson 4738

 (Lesson 4738) (01-24-25) Romans 8:31-39 

   “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Paul confidently declared that, since God is for believers, no one can be against them. He emphasized that God, who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for believers, will graciously give them all things. Paul affirmed that no one can bring any charge against God's elect (the saved), as it is God who justifies them. He asked, "Who is he who condemns?" and answered that Christ Jesus, who died and was resurrected, is interceding for them. Paul further assured that nothing, whether tribulation, distress, persecution, or any other force, can separate believers from the love of Christ. He concluded that believers are more than conquerors through Him who loved them, and nothing in creation can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This passage confirms the eternal security of the believer, emphasizing that God's love and salvation are irrevocable and unbreakable. ~ 

Lesson 4737

(Lesson 4737) (01-23-25) Romans 8:24-30 

   “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul explained that believers have hope in the salvation that is yet to be fully realized. While they wait for the redemption of their bodies, they do so in hope, knowing that hope that is seen is not hope. The Holy Spirit helps them in their weakness, interceding for them with problems they are unable to convey in prayer. God, who searches the hearts, knows the Spirit's intercession is in accordance with His will. Paul emphasized that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He explained that those whom God foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that they might be the firstborn among many brothers. Those God predestined, He called; those He called, He justified; and those He justified, He glorified. This highlights the unbreakable chain of salvation for believers. ~  

Lesson 4736

 (Lesson 4736) (01-22-25) Romans 8:16-23 

   “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” 

   In today’s quote, Paul explained that the Holy Spirit bears witness with the spirits of we the believers, affirming that we are children of God. As children, we are also heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing in His future glory. Paul acknowledged that the present suffering believers experience is not worthy of comparison to the glory that is awaiting them. He described creation itself as eagerly waiting for the revealing of God’s children, groaning in anticipation of being liberated from its corruption. Paul further explained that believers, too, groan inwardly as they await the redemption of their bodies, when they will experience the fullness of their salvation in the presence of God the Father. ~