(Pondering the Apostle Paul’s teaching in “Romans” about election and predestination)
Based on God’s righteousness and His commandments, the nation of Israel became estranged from God, ushering in the age of the Gentiles, i.e., the Age of Grace. Since then, a remnant among the Gentiles is being grafted into believing Israel through Messiah Jesus, to provoke unbelieving Israel at-large to jealousy and toward an eventual tidal wave of turning back to the Good News of Jesus.
It was God’s predetermined plan, in the process subverting human wishes/desires to seek a different path apart from the Divine one, that just as Esau’s sin would make it necessary for divine favor to flow through Jacob (“Jacob have I loved, Esau have I ‘hated’”), God’s love would also be extended to the Gentiles, because of Israel’s own hardheartedness in offering up sacrifices with non-contrite hearts.
Paul pointed out that Israel, in a great revival among the literal seed of Abraham, would later be grafted back in: here, showing that election and predestination have to do with God’s foreknowledge concerning his covenants, how people would respond to his Word, and His continual kindness in reaching out to lost and strayed “sheep”.
Would God allow the pending responses of humans to abrogate His own wishes? Surely not! So, the Almighty short circuits chaos by intervening, turning the disobedience of some to the advantage of others—yet, always with the gracious vision and plan to woo the “some” back. Hopefully, in this life, or as an extended offer to future, obedient and trusting generations (the sins of the fathers not flowing to the children).
~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
Who can replace the theology of Love,
which is what God is—true character summed?
The Church is the remnant from Adam to us,
mystery made visible since Pentecost.
God’s heart cannot be dammed-up to send some away,
nor can people choose outside Law to obey.*
Thus, His ever-offer is wisdom and power;
those who bow to grace live within fulfilled Law.
_________
* The “Perfect Law”, as James would put it. As to Jews, not the legalistic observance of the Law, which reveals an “uncircumcised heart”. As to Gentiles, not a heart that turns away from the Good News that saves from disobedience to the Law written on their hearts, exposed by the light of the Holy Spirit.
Based on God’s righteousness and His commandments, the nation of Israel became estranged from God, ushering in the age of the Gentiles, i.e., the Age of Grace. Since then, a remnant among the Gentiles is being grafted into believing Israel through Messiah Jesus, to provoke unbelieving Israel at-large to jealousy and toward an eventual tidal wave of turning back to the Good News of Jesus.
It was God’s predetermined plan, in the process subverting human wishes/desires to seek a different path apart from the Divine one, that just as Esau’s sin would make it necessary for divine favor to flow through Jacob (“Jacob have I loved, Esau have I ‘hated’”), God’s love would also be extended to the Gentiles, because of Israel’s own hardheartedness in offering up sacrifices with non-contrite hearts.
Paul pointed out that Israel, in a great revival among the literal seed of Abraham, would later be grafted back in: here, showing that election and predestination have to do with God’s foreknowledge concerning his covenants, how people would respond to his Word, and His continual kindness in reaching out to lost and strayed “sheep”.
Would God allow the pending responses of humans to abrogate His own wishes? Surely not! So, the Almighty short circuits chaos by intervening, turning the disobedience of some to the advantage of others—yet, always with the gracious vision and plan to woo the “some” back. Hopefully, in this life, or as an extended offer to future, obedient and trusting generations (the sins of the fathers not flowing to the children).
~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
Who can replace the theology of Love,
which is what God is—true character summed?
The Church is the remnant from Adam to us,
mystery made visible since Pentecost.
God’s heart cannot be dammed-up to send some away,
nor can people choose outside Law to obey.*
Thus, His ever-offer is wisdom and power;
those who bow to grace live within fulfilled Law.
_________
* The “Perfect Law”, as James would put it. As to Jews, not the legalistic observance of the Law, which reveals an “uncircumcised heart”. As to Gentiles, not a heart that turns away from the Good News that saves from disobedience to the Law written on their hearts, exposed by the light of the Holy Spirit.
