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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 Throughout history, there has been a clear differentiation between the visible and invisible church. The visible church encompasses those whose membership and participation are apparent, while the invisible church comprises individuals whose true spiritual status is known only to God. This distinction is fundamental in our understanding of the Christian faith. Outward demonstrations of devotion, morality, or religious practices do not determine one's relationship with God. “. . . a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”  Galatians 2:16

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 initial segment of verse six contains a Scripture worth committing to memory, as it underscores the concept of God's sovereignty. The Word of God is always accompanied by the power wielded by His Spirit, rendering it inherently potent. Neither ourselves nor others are accountable for the impact of God's Word; rather, it is the omnipotent power of God that directs His Word to its intended destination.”

I am telling the truth in Christ; I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.   For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,   who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises;   whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:1-5 As a point of clarification, I would recommend that someone reading Romans refer to Martin Luther’s work “Bondage of the Will” and Johnathan Edwards’ “Freedom of the Will” for a deeper understanding of Romans 9. In this section, the opening verse from Paul is more of a declaration than an oath. He is speaking as one directed by the Spirit through his conscience. Paul was convicted of the truth. Oh, that all Christians would experience the same conviction when the Gospel is rejected.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 The passage underscores the paramount importance of the Word of God, highlighting the unwavering fulfillment of God's promises. It also underscores the profound and abundant union that believers are promised with Christ. When God calls someone to His Son, they will come without fail, irrespective of time or circumstance. Once they have come, nothing can sever them from God’s love, and most significantly, nothing will sever God’s love from them. This promise is not bound by time, it is eternal.

What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, instead who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake, we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 8:31-36 Believers must maintain a high view of God as the supreme and holy ruler of all things. This is the same God who spoke the universe into existence. How could such a powerful, just, and loving God, who sacrificed His Son for our redemption, allow anything or anyone to derail His ultimate plan of redemption? Of course, He will not allow it. Only a lower view of God would provide a different answer.

What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, instead who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake, we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 8:31-36 These questions have a legal tone to them, similar to a courtroom. It may also remind some people of the story of Job, where Satan brought accusations against him. Paul’s message is one of encouragement, as he implies that since believers are united in Christ, no one can bring any charges against Him. All believers wear the cloak of Christ, so when God looks upon them, He sees His Son.

What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake, we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 8:31-36 In verse 31, Paul acknowledges that Christians may have enemies, but God is stronger than any. However, he knows Christians may sometimes doubt whether God is on their side. So, in verse 32, Paul provides more assurance. The verb he uses for 'delivered' is the same verb used in the gospels to describe Judas' betrayal of Jesus. By using this verb, Paul reminds us that Jesus was not delivered up to his enemies because of Judas' greed, the priests' envy, or even Pilate's fear. Instead, Jesus was delivered to his enemies because of the Father's love. This is the ultimate assurance that if God has delivered up his son, then he will surely provide us with all that we need.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:28-31 We see here in verse 31 that Paul gets it. He understands the objections to foreknowledge and predestination. Many object by asking, how can God save some and not others just because He feels like it? Paul puts forth a similar thought: What then shall we say to these things? Good question: what should we say to the doctrine of predestination? Paul says If God is for us, who is against us? The principle of predestination should bring Christians great comfort, not anger and anxiety. God is with us by predestining us before the foundations of the world. If the God who does that calls us to His Son justifies and glorifies us, then who in this world or the next could ever stand against us? Folks, this is the most hopeful and encouraging verse in all Scripture.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 Verse 30 is often referred to as the Ordo Salutis or Order of Salvation. God knows who He will call and chooses them beforehand. Then He calls them, justifies them, and glorifies them. I know this goes against our delicate sensibilities by not having any skin in the game in terms of salvation. That is because we do not. It is a biblical concept that we have to come to grips with because every ounce of our flesh we inject into the order of salvation we reduce Christ’s work on the cross. We worship a crucified savior for a reason as there is nothing we can add or take away from the cross.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 The Bible is full of references to predestination, so there is no doubt that it is a biblical principle. However, the debate arises over how the term is applied. The arrangement of letters in the Greek alphabet for the word predestination suggests that it is not just a matter of foreseeing something in advance but that the determination is a sovereign decision. Precisely, to be conformed to Christ. What is the purpose of that? Paul tells us at the end of verse 29, “. . . so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” The primary purpose for predestination is for Christ. The Father predestines those He will give to The Son, then the Son gives eternal life (John 17:1-2).

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 Theologians refer to verses 29-30 in the Bible as the “Golden Chain” of salvation. Verse 28 emphasizes God’s sovereignty, and while Paul lists foreknowledge before predestination in the chain, the order should not determine the means. It is important to note that foreknowledge should not automatically be understood as God looking into the future and making decisions based on what people will or will not do. Scripture does not describe this method and would indicate that works determine salvation. By contrast, in the next chapter of Romans, a different kind of foreknowledge is described where God chooses one twin over the other before they were born to fulfill His will and states explicitly that His choice was made regardless of anything either twin would or would not do. This understanding of foreknowledge aligns with the Greek definition of the term, which often refers to God having personal and intimate knowledge of those whom He will redeem based solely on His choice.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 There are two things in this verse and its context: God’s sovereignty and effectual calling. First, while the Bible does not use the phrase “God’s sovereignty,” it is saturated with the concept of it. To be sovereign means to have absolute power and control over something. Thus, it is a biblical principle that God is sovereign over His creation, which is everything. Specific to this verse, “God causes all things to work together for good” would imply that some things are not good. The general principle here is that God is sovereign either by decree or by permission. Consequently, His ultimate power and authority do not eliminate free will. A couple of biblical examples of this understanding come from Job and Genesis with the accounts of Joseph. So, when Paul writes, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,” he emphasizes that the will of humanity is always secondary to the will of God. Thus, there is never a moment when God is not sovereign. I am fond of a quote from R.C. Sproul that I believe is appropriate, “If God is not sovereign, then He is not God.” The second is effectual calling, which goes hand in hand with sovereignty. Because if God is sovereign, then whatever his purpose is in calling will come to pass; “. . .to those who are called according to His purpose.” If God is, in fact, who the Bible claims He is, then absolutely nothing can resist His will. Now, this doesn’t mean we do not possess the capacity to resist; I am pretty sure the whole concept of sin puts that to rest. But God’s sovereignty always overrides our limited ability to resist. This is not just some outward summons when I speak of an effectual call, this is a calling that cuts deep through flesh and bone and into the soul. Take, for example, what Paul writes in his epistle to the Galatians, “Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through human agency, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead).” In other words, this effectual call comes from the same source that said, “Let there be light,” called out to the storm, “Quiet, be still,” and raised Christ from the dead. I can say with absolute confidence that whoever God calls according to His purpose, whether it is the hard way or the easy way, they are coming.