Romans 9:6 - Homiletics

The true Israel.

Since one great aim of the apostle in this Epistle is to combat the view of religion which regards the external as of main interest and importance, he finds it necessary to disabuse of their prejudice and error those Israelites who not only prided themselves upon their descent from Abraham, but who relied upon that descent for their acceptance with God. He points out that it is one thing to be "of Israel," i.e. sprung from the patriarchs in the way of natural lineage, and quite another thing to be "Israel," i.e. to possess the ideal character of the true Israelite. Even some of Abraham's posterity were not included in the covenant, but only the offspring of Isaac. This was in itself a limitation; and if God appointed a limitation of an external and racial kind, how far more obviously did it consist with Divine wisdom and justice to confine spiritual blessings to those spiritually prepared and qualified to enjoy them!

I. LIGHT IS HERE CAST UPON THE CHARACTER AND PURPOSES OF GOD .

1. God is faithful to his promises, but not to men's misunderstanding of these promises.

2. God is just, and not partial, in his treatment of the subjects of his kingdom upon earth.

3. God does not look upon men's outward relations and position, but upon the character and heart.

II. LIGHT IS CAST UPON THE MORAL CONDITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEN .

1. Men are blamable and foolish if they rely upon adventitious advantages; as e.g. upon parentage, ancestry, associations, acquired knowledge, religious privileges.

2. Men are wise if they remember, and act upon their remembrance, that it is God's prerogative and method to search the heart.

3. Men should use diligently the opportunities they enjoy, knowing that it is not their advantages, but the use they make of them, that is all-important.

4. Men should look forward to the individual account to be rendered at the last to the supreme Judge of all.