Scripture

This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.

Observation

Paul writes that his heart is filled with grief for his Jewish brothers and sisters. They are God’s adopted children. God revealed His glory to them, made covenants with them, and gave them the privilege of worshipping Him.

Being a descendant of Abraham, though, does not make a person a child of God. Only the children of the promise are God’s children. The example of this is Esau’s rejection by God in favour of Jacob.

Application

Many Jewish people made their family tree – their lineage from Abraham – the proof that they were God’s children. But Paul says that the Scriptures show that not every descendant of Abraham is a child of God.

Many Jews refused to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Since Jesus is now the only way to the Father and the only way to be saved, this means that they are going to hell. They could have been saved, and should have been saved, but their rejection of Christ showed they were not truly children of God’s promise.

Anyone who puts their trust in anything other than Christ will also be rejected by God. There is only one way to be saved, one name by which we are forgiven- Jesus.

You can’t be saved by a parent’s faith, by going to church, or by water baptism.

Jesus is the only way to be saved.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you have given us your Son to be our salvation. Please protect me from the idols that try to distract me from you, and keep me on the right path with you. Amen.