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The Jews (Hebrews) believed that because they were the physical descendants of Abraham, God’s chosen race, they were secure in salvation much like the children of Christian parents who have been raised in church believe they are saved. Jesus tore down that argument.
Matt 3:9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
The problem with Israel was they had a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. They tried to establish their own righteousness by keeping the law of Moses (Rom 10:1-4).
The apostle Paul, who was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” when it came to his ancestry (Phil 3:4-5) realized that his ancestry had nothing to do with salvation. And yet he loved his kinsmen according to the flesh so much so that he was willing to go to hell if that is what it would take for them to be saved. Paul realized that all the children of Abraham according to the flesh are not children of God, but only those who denounced their own righteousness and received the righteousness found by faith in Christ alone. Around 20% of Israel today are atheists.
Rom 9:3 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.
Rom 9:4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
Rom 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
Rom 9:7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
Rom 9:8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
Matt 3:9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
The problem with Israel was they had a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. They tried to establish their own righteousness by keeping the law of Moses (Rom 10:1-4).
The apostle Paul, who was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” when it came to his ancestry (Phil 3:4-5) realized that his ancestry had nothing to do with salvation. And yet he loved his kinsmen according to the flesh so much so that he was willing to go to hell if that is what it would take for them to be saved. Paul realized that all the children of Abraham according to the flesh are not children of God, but only those who denounced their own righteousness and received the righteousness found by faith in Christ alone. Around 20% of Israel today are atheists.
Rom 9:3 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.
Rom 9:4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
Rom 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
Rom 9:7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
Rom 9:8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.