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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
There was a fundamental truth that Israel according to the flesh had to accept in order to be saved, and it was Paul's intent to put that truth continually before them. In today's message, we will identify that fundamental truth, a truth which many reject yet today.
First, however, what do we mean when we speak of a fundamental truth? We do not mean what others assign to the term; we are capable of defining our terms and we ought to be extended that courtesy. A fundamental truth is one which must be accepted in order to proceed/progress. When a fundamental truth is neglected or ignored, nothing else is of any avail in the pursuit of the goal. Example: A gasoline engine requires gasoline in order to run; ignore that fundamental truth and the engine will not run! As we are using the term, fundamental is synonymous with essential.
So what was the fundamental truth that Israel had to accept in order to be pleasing to God, the same fundamental truth that many are yet rejecting today? Dear reader, don't get ahead of me, please; chances are the fundamental of which I speak is even more fundamental than the one you might be thinking. Yes it is true that accepting the fact that Jesus Christ is the Messiah is fundamental, but there is a truth that precedes that one; miss it and nothing else is of any avail. Here is that fundamental truth: God made it such that each person's election (or non-election) depends upon how that person reacts to divinely revealed truth! Read it again if you will; it is that important. God made it such that each person's election (or non-election) depends upon how that person reacts to divinely revealed truth!
Israel seemed to believe that their election was unconditional. Hear Paul on the subject: “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called.' That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” (Romans 9.6-8). Notice the words, “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel...” Likewise read carefully the statement, “...those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God.” Paul denied what most of Israel apparently believed, namely that their election was unconditional!
Ironically, the same spiritual arrogance still prevails in what is loosely termed Christendom today! How ironic is it that many who call themselves Christians still wish to place all the responsibility on God for their salvation! That is Paul's major point in Romans chapter nine! God made it such that our election depends upon how we react to Divine truth! Being a descendant of Abraham is not of any avail in that pursuit! Being anything is of no avail in that pursuit. The thing that avails is how we react to Divine truth! Yet some arrogantly declare, “There is nothing that one must do in order to be saved, else salvation is of works!” This is the same fundamental error of the Israelites and it is alive and well today.
“But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made me like this?'” (Romans 9.20). Those who say that there is nothing that man must do to be saved wittingly or unwittingly accuse God of being unfair! Who are we to challenge God's plan by which He hardens or makes pliable the hearts of men? God is not unfair because he holds me accountable for how I react to His message!
Questions:
1. In religious circles, what is meant by “unconditional election?”
2. According to Paul, was every person who was a descendant of Abraham one of the elect? How did this doctrine compare with the doctrine of mainline Israel? How about today?
3. Who are we to decide what is fair or unfair? Isn't it solely the prerogative of the Creator to determine such matters? Isn't that one of Paul's major points in Romans nine?
4. True or false: I and I alone am solely and eternally accountable for how I react to Divine truth?
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