Blog Archives - Ironworks Pike Community Church

November 05th, 2013

11/5/2013

God does not give saving grace because of good works. Romans 9:10-13

Jacob and Esau were equals in the womb, and in order of birth, Esau had priority. According to ancient social custom, Esau should have inherited everything. But God by his grace turned everything backward. God had already decided that Esau would be below Jacob, and Esau's people would serve Jacob's people. God had fixed a distinct special love and blessing onto sinful Jacob, and had rejected sinful Esau. God announced this to Rebekah when neither boy had committed any sinful or righteous acts, since they were unborn babies. God was committed that his plan should stand firm. It couldn't be conditional on morality – what if Jacob ever sinned? What if Esau ever did a good act? That would derail God's purpose. So God gave his grace-gift to Jacob unconditionally, one-sidedly, so that nothing could shake the plan. Was this unfair? Fairness had nothing to do with it. God's gift is always free.

November 05th, 2013

11/5/2013

God does not give saving grace because of family ties. Romans 9:6-9

Abraham had two sons. The first was named Ishmael, the second was named Isaac. They were the both sons of Abraham. They had both been ritually circumcised. They were equals. But in Genesis 21 the Lord announced to Abraham that Isaac would be the one through whom Abraham's official line would flow. Ishmael was a picture of those who are born of the flesh. Isaac was a picture of those who are born from the Spirit of God's miraculous power. The Jews thought they would be saved because of their family ties. But God doesn't give saving grace because of who our parents are, or our grandparents. We do not receive God's saving grace because of who our parents are. Is this unfair? Fairness has nothing to do with it. God's gift is always free.