Children of the Promise

This powerful exploration of Romans 9 confronts us with a sobering reality: having access to spiritual heritage, religious knowledge, or even a Christian upbringing doesn't automatically make us right with God. We're challenged to examine the difference between being 'children of the flesh' and 'children of the promise.' Israel had everything—the covenants, the law, the patriarchs, the glory of God's presence, and even Jesus himself walking among them—yet many were cut off from Christ because they relied on their lineage and religious practices rather than faith. This isn't just ancient history; we see parallels in our own context where cultural Christianity has replaced genuine relationship with God. The message pierces through our assumptions: salvation isn't inherited, earned through good works, or guaranteed by church attendance. It comes only through the supernatural work of God calling us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac's birth required a miraculous conception and Jacob was chosen before he'd done anything good or bad, our salvation depends entirely on God's sovereign grace. We're reminded that whether for our children, our churches, or our communities, transformation happens only when the Holy Spirit moves. This should drive us to our knees in prayer, recognizing that while we faithfully share the gospel and live obediently, only God can change hearts. The promise has always been Jesus—from Abraham's supernatural son to the Virgin Birth, from Isaac nearly sacrificed to Christ actually crucified. If we know Jesus today, it's because He called us, not because we earned it.