Tony
Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:9 Genesis 2:16-17 Matthew 9:28 Deuteronomy 7:1-10 Ephesians 3:1-13 John 14:21 Romans 9,10,11
One encouraging thing about writing for Bread of Life is that the subjects given to my wife Marian and me often give rise to a great deal of discussion and Bible study. The topic of “CHOSEN” which Marian wrote about last week and “ADOPTION”, my subject this week, belong together.
Like us, many of you will be praying for members of your family or friends to become Christians, only to be disappointed so far.
If we believe that God has already chosen those He will save and those who will be lost for all eternity, why do we continue to pray? If it is not His will that any should perish(2 Peter 3:9), then why does He not choose everyone in the world? Why is the world not at peace?
The answer to some of these questions are found in the opening chapters of Genesis. When God created man and woman He gave them the Garden of Eden filled with all the plants and animals they could ever need. He also gave them free will, the ability to make choices. He commanded them not to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16-17). God didn’t create robots.
Those for whom we pray have their God given free will to choose whether or not to believe, so let us continue to pray that their eyes might be opened to see Jesus. Jesus instructs us to pray that God will send out workers into the harvest field. (Matthew 9:28).
The word “ADOPTION” appears five times in the New Testament. Once in Ephesians and Galatians and three times in Romans. The idea of adoption is part of the teaching about our relationship with God as our Father. The Old Testament is clear that Israel is His chosen and adopted nation through whom He will demonstrate His Presence to other nations. Deuteronomy 7:1-10
When we turn to the New Testament, we find Paul, a learned Jew who had studied under Gamaliel, one of the best known teachers of his day.
Paul saw himself as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:12) and his letters not only teach new believers in Christ, but seek to show how the new Gentile believers are grafted into God’s chosen people Israel. We find a parallel between the Jewish Old Testament relationship with God and the new relationship we find in Christ. Whilst the Jews follow the Law in the hope of winning God’s approval, in Christ we are called to demonstrate our love for Him through obedience to His commandments. (John 14:21).
In our study, we came to see more clearly the immense importance of Israel in the purposes of God. In his letter to the Ephesians1:3-12, Paul is clearly speaking of his own nation of Israel. In verse 13 Paul moves on to address the Ephesians who have come to believe after hearing the message of Jesus.
Now take a look at Romans 9:1-5 where Paul anguishes over His fellow Jews and tells the Romans, “Theirs is the adoption…...” Indeed Romans 9, 10 and 11 give immense insight into God’s plan for Israel and the whole world.
In summing up our study, we find that the Jews are clearly God’s chosen and adopted people throughout the bible. They were chosen for purpose in order to take the good news of Jesus out into the whole world. This began to happen following the first Pentecost. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and He seals us with His Holy Spirit, then we are born again into His Kingdom, united to Him forever. This truth is for both the devout Jew, as Paul wasbefore conversion, and every Gentile. I would encourage you to begin by reading the whole of Romans 9, 10 and 11 which helped us greatly in understanding God’s Sovereignty and plan for all mankind.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love for sinful mankind is so immense that You sent Your one and only precious Son to die that we might find full forgiveness through His precious blood, and so become Your children, heirs of Your Kingdom, beloved by You. How greatly You have blessed us. Amen.