Bible, Called, Calling, Chosen, Romans, Scripture

NOT BECAUSE OF WORKS

ROMANS 9:11

“for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,”

Working hard for something can be a good thing. For instance, getting back into good physical condition takes hard work. You need to exercise and work your muscles. You need to perhaps cut back on certain foods and add other foods into your diet. Those muscles will respond to your hard work, but when you stop your new habit of working out, they will begin to atrophy once again. In other words, you have to keep working.

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to work your way into God’s family? And once you’re in, you don’t have to keep working to prevent being kicked out. Praise the Lord. Paul speaks to that in today’s verse. Jacob was chosen instead of Esau before they were even born. God had a purpose to achieve through Jacob. The “heel grabber” (Genesis 25:26) was himself grabbed by God. He was called by God.

APPLICATION

We find a similar thought about God’s calling in Ephesians 1:5. I love how the New Living Translation writes this. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Calling you into His family “gave Him great pleasure.” You make God smile.

Yesterday my youngest grandson, Lucas, who is 20 months old, called me Papa for the first time. I was overjoyed. He was asked a question. Who do you want to go with right now, Nana or Papa? He just blurted out, “Papa!” My heart was overjoyed. I had the biggest grin on my face. I picture God doing the same every time I call His name.

I did nothing and can do nothing to earn God’s free gift of salvation which He has given to me. Going back to Ephesians again, Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Just as Jacob had done nothing in his mother’s womb to deserve the calling of God on his life, we can do nothing ourselves. He has chosen us to follow Him. We do have to yield to this calling. God will not “force feed” us. But when we do say “Yes” to Him, He beams with pleasure. His child has come home. 

Father God, I am Yours. I love to call You “Abba” and know that brings You joy.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Choices, Chosen, Romans, Scripture, Strength, Stretching

NOT THE CUSTOM

ROMANS 9:10

“And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;”

I have a ministry colleague whose younger daughter is getting married next month. He has one other daughter who is older. I joked with him recently if he was going to pull a “Laban” and give the older daughter to his future son-in-law and then his younger. He said his younger daughter would not be happy about that. Well, I guess not, lol. But it is normal for the older to marry before the younger, at least in most families.

Why do I bring up that illustration? Because Paul refers to another one of God’s contrary-to-custom decisions today. It would have been the custom for God to choose Esau over Jacob. After all, Esau was the first-born twin. But God chose the younger. Just as He turned from the Jewish nation, which He had chosen, to the Gentiles, Paul had been given the task of preaching the Gospel to these foreign nations. I am sure, at first, Saul (now named Paul) wondered about this decision. But he was faithful to God’s calling.

APPLICATION

How do we apply this verse to our lives? I think it’s clear. We cannot assume anything about God’s plans for our lives. We should never think God will choose the way of least resistance. In fact, it is usually just the opposite. He puts us on paths that will test and try us to build us into followers of Jesus who can withstand the attacks that will come upon us.

The Expositor’s Greek Testament says regarding God’s decision to choose Jacob over Esau, “this was done by God of His sovereign freedom:” Who can argue against God? Who knows the mind of God? In Job 40:8, God answers Job with a strong rebuke. “‘Will you really nullify My judgment? Will you condemn Me so that you may be justified?’” Of course, Job receives that rebuke and repents of his self-righteousness. He yields to the authority of God over his life, whatever that brings.

Will you allow God to do the noncustomary thing in your life? Will you allow Him to stretch you? Stretching is not comfortable to me, physically or spiritually. But I know it is good for me in both instances. Stretching physically protects my muscles and joints as I exercise. Stretching spiritually will also build up my “faith muscle” and give me the power to do whatever God has for me. But you have to trust God to lead you. Will you do that?

I have to be honest, Father. I don’t like the stretches You give me sometimes. But I am thankful for the end results.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Childbirth, Children, Family, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY

ROMANS 9:9

“For this is the word of promise: ‘AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH WILL HAVE A SON.’”

When a couple is in a loving, healthy relationship, the words “I’m pregnant” bring shouts of joy and jubilation. For many those words may come after years of trying to get pregnant. Others have this happen quickly. Whether it is a surprise or a planned pregnancy, the relationship determines the response. I was blessed to hear this a few times from my wife. Not all those pregnancies ended as we wanted. We lost one child at birth and experienced a couple of miscarriages. But each time we found out we were expecting, we were thankful.

Can you imagine how Sarah and Abraham felt when they discovered she was pregnant with the long-awaited son, Isaac? Even though God had promised this child years earlier, they were probably a little taken back when it finally happened. After all, the Word says Abraham was “as good as dead.” The odds were against them. But God…

APPLICATION

Now, we get to hear these words from God, “Welcome to the family!” He has birthed us into His family. We are the sons and daughters of God. Those words should give us reason to shout for joy. I know He and all the angels in heaven rejoice every time a new soul is saved. Angels don’t really understand this. They have not experienced salvation. They have always been in God’s presence. But we are new to this. We get to celebrate with all the heavenly hosts.

Paul writes in Galatians 4:28, “And you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.” Keep in mind that Paul was not writing to a Jewish audience there. He was writing to mostly Gentile believers. Just like most of us, they had no direct ties to the Jewish nation. Yet Paul tells them they children of promise. And so we are. You are a child of the King.

Now that you are a child of promise you need to share with others how they also can join the family. May I share a really good app with you? It’s called “Share Your Faith.” Check it out in the App Store or wherever you find apps for your phone. It will walk you through how to share the gospel utilizing the Bridge Illustration. This app is so simple even a child could use it. Don’t let the enemy stop you from sharing our “family secret.” We want to grow our family one soul at a time.

I give You praise, O God, for birthing me into Your kingdom. I am so thankful for my sonship.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Called, Calling, Family, Promises, Romans, Scripture, Service

CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE

ROMANS 9:8

“That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.”

My daughter wanted to have a child so badly. After she married my son-in-law, they tried for a few years, even utilizing invitro fertilization. But nothing worked. We prayed. Family prayed. And then one day my wife and I got the call. They were pregnant! The picture on this blog today is of my grandson wearing a very appropriately named onesie. “For this child we have prayed.” It was much like Abraham and Sarah when they learned she was carrying Isaac. Celebration time!

God chose Abraham and Sarah to birth the nation of Israel through their son Isaac. The promises He made to them still hold true today. But God went one better. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He has now also included us as part of that promise. I am not Jewish, but I am part of God’s chosen people. I love what Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” Praise be to God!

APPLICATION

So, what do you do with this sonship? God never called us to sit back and just wait on heaven. No! He expects us to serve Him through being used by Him to advance His kingdom. When I was growing up, I had chores to do in my house. At first, they were small ones like vacuuming or mopping our floors. As I aged, I was assigned bigger tasks like mowing our lawn. My physical and cognitive maturity was observed by my dad and mom as they assigned these chores. I was never asked to do something I was not capable of.

The same holds true for us as followers of Christ. As you mature in your faith and gain more knowledge of the Father, you too are called to do more. Jesus even told us in John 14:12, “‘Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.’” Jesus has entrusted us to do greater works than He did. Is that even possible?

What has He called you to do? It may be serving in the church nursery. Let me tell you – that is a high calling. As a former Children’s Pastor, these workers are highly esteemed. Perhaps the Lord has called you to leave your homeland and serve in another country. Whatever it is that your Father has tapped you to do, do it with gusto. Do it faithfully. Seek to please Him and only Him in all that you do. You are a child of the promise, His promise to you.

Father, You are so good to trust me with “chores” to do in Your family.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Answers, Asking, Bible, Prayer, Promises, Romans, Scripture

GOD IS SPECIFIC

ROMANS 9:7

“nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.”

Isn’t it frustrating when you are trying to get an answer out of someone and all you get are vague responses? My wife accuses me of that. She asks me a simple question, and I launch into this complicated, more-than-she-asked-for response. As Joe Friday used to say, “Just the facts, ma’am.” I am thankful God doesn’t give us disguised answers and make us guess what He is up to.

In today’s verse, Paul refers back to Genesis 21:12 when God told Abraham, “‘Do not be distressed because of the boy and your slave woman; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.’” His lineage would not come through a slave. Ishmael was not the answer. Isaac was! God named the specific child through whom He would bless Abraham.

APPLICATION

What are you asking the Lord for right now? Be bold and ask for a specific answer. I have a friend who prayed for a wife. But he didn’t just pray for a wife. He prayed for God to give him a wife shorter than he was, lighter skinned than he was and even a left-handed wife. He got specific. Needless to say, on their first date when that shorter, light-skinned woman picked up her fork with the left hand he shouted, “Hallelujah!” That may sound funny, but he got specific in his prayers.

Do you think God wants your family to live in peace with each other? Of course, He does. Do you need a specific answer to a specific prayer? Ask Him for it. Perhaps you need healing from an illness. Ask Him to heal you. You may need money to pay a specific bill. Ask Him for it. Then believe He hears and wants to bless you.

We are told in 1 John 5:14-15, “14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” Do you believe God’s Word? Then believe this. Make His will your will so that your will will be His will. Get specific with God because He is a specific God.

Father, I believe You know exactly what I need and when I need it. Thank You for being so specific in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Promises, Romans, Scripture, Trust, Trustworthy

GOD’S WORD NEVER FAILS

ROMANS 9:6

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;”

Promises are meant to be kept, not broken. Have you ever made a promise to someone that you had no intention on keeping? That would be horrible and an outright lie. We make promises all the time, don’t we? We promise to have and to hold from this day forward… But so many marriages fail. We promise to pay a debt but spend our money elsewhere and end up in bankruptcy. We make promises to our children just to get them to behave. That is not how God operates. What He says, He means.

As Paul is reflecting on the state of his kinsmen, he says this basic truth about God – “not as though the word of God has failed.” I am instantly remembering one of my favorite memory verses from Joshua 21:45. “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.” Do you believe that? God has promised us a heavenly home. Do you believe that? I sure do.

APPLICATION

Although the Jewish nation was chosen by God to be the vessel through which He would bring His Son to save mankind, not all those who called themselves Jews understood this. In John 8:44, Jesus confronts these individuals with some rather harsh words. “‘You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.’” Woah! They were Jews but were behaving like the devil’s children. We could say the same today of some who are in the church, couldn’t we?

Although God rejected the Jewish nation when they rejected Jesus as Messiah, He still has a plan for them. That’s a whole other topic for another day. Suffice it to say that God is not done with Israel yet. Why? Because God’s Word has not failed. His promises are still true. He will offer redemption to them again. Of course, it is offered every day, if they would just choose it.

What is your favorite promise from God’s Word? Do a search of God’s promises and see which one you can claim as your very own. I love Hebrews 13:5, “for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU,’” Also Philippians 4:19 reassures me daily. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Amen? Trust His promises. They always come true.

Lord, I give You praise for Your many promises You have made and kept in my life. I know You are the One Who can always be trusted.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blessed, Christ, Fathers, Heritage, Promises, Romans, Scripture

WHAT A HERITAGE!

ROMANS 9:5

“whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”

I wish I had more time to dig into my family heritage. I never really talked to my parents about their deep family heritage. I sure wish I had. I know nothing about my father’s extended family. I am thankful for the genealogy sites out there that can help us find that information. I have mentioned before that I have traced the Willis line back to 1555 in England. I wonder how many of those ancestors knew Jesus. I’ll find out one day, won’t I?

Paul goes into the last two points of his kinsmen’s heritage before ending the verse with an exaltation to Christ. Paul is undoubtedly thinking about Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Perhaps Moses or Elijah or Jeremiah were on his mind. These were the “fathers” he mentions here. But the high claim is that through his nation came Jesus Christ in the flesh. God chose the Jewish nation to bring forth the Savior of all mankind. Praise be to God for His faithfulness.

APPLICATION

This is not a verse that needs a lot of deep interpretation. It’s pretty straightforward. The question is then, what do we do with it. Remember, every single word in the Scriptures is God-breathed. For me, I believe the Lord is, first of all, reminding me of the importance of my legacy. It should not be about making a great name for myself. It should only be about making Him known. I want my family to remember me as man who sought to please the Lord in all he did. That’s legacy enough for me.

Secondly, this verse today commands me to glorify Jesus for all He has done and the Father for sending Him. Look at Paul’s words again. “the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever.” It seems Paul just bursts out in praise for Jesus. Shouldn’t we do the same? May the praise of Jesus be always on our minds and tongues. Afterall, He is “over all.”

I want to encourage you today to walk in Christ as if this is the last day on earth for you. What would you do differently if you knew that? Who would you reach out to? Strive to leave your name representing Him. Representing means we re-present Him. That requires us to live it out and talk about it. Present Christ to someone today. Tell the story of how He changed your life and how He can change theirs. Just be Jesus today.

I am so thankful for my earthly heritage but so much more thankful, Lord, to be in the heritage of Christ. I belong to His family now.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Availability, Bible, Prayer, Romans, Scripture, Talents, Witnessing

SO MUCH GOING FOR THEM

ROMANS 9:4

“who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises;”

People say all the time that if someone they know with some special talent would get saved, God could really use them. Wrong! God does not want our abilities. He wants our availability. Right? It doesn’t matter how great the talent if that person is not willing to be used by God. You have probably heard of missionaries or preachers who gave up their field of talent to be used by God. Sure, God can use our talents. After all, He gave them to us. But He doesn’t need them.

Paul is still talking about his Jewish brothers and sisters and longing for them to come to Christ. He reminds us in this verse today that the Jewish people were adopted as God’s sons and daughters. They received God’s glory, His covenant, His Law, His temple and His promises. They were a favored people. But they still needed the Savior which Paul had found. He wanted to see them come to Christ and experience true glory.

APPLICATION

The Expositor’s Greek Testament has a good view of this verse. “The intensity of Paul’s distress, and of his longing for the salvation of his countrymen, is partly explained in this verse. It is the greatness of his people, their unique place of privilege in God’s providence, the splendour of the inheritance and of the hopes which they forfeit by unbelief, that make their unbelief at once so painful, and so perplexing.”

Do you have that “intensity of distress” over someone you know who needs Christ? Most of us don’t. I pray every day for my family, and I pray specifically for all of them to know Christ and to walk with Him daily. I even pray for my grandchildren’s future spouses and their families that they would know, love and follow Christ. Why? Because I know how important that is to family.

Whom are you praying for today? Think about your immediate and extended family. If you have lost family members, make it a a daily practice to pray for them by name. Beg God for them. Have the same intensity for them that Paul had for his kinsmen. Are you willing to sacrifice anything to see them come to Christ? I want to carry all my loved ones to heaven one day. I don’t want to know that even one is left behind. That’s how Paul felt. The thought of his kinsmen missing heaven because they refused their Messiah just broke his heart. Have that heart for others.

Lord, You are the One Who gives me my burden for others. Use me today to reach just one.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Gospel, Romans, Sacrifice, Salvation, Scripture, Suffering

WILLING TO SUFFER FOR OTHERS

ROMANS 9:3

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,”

What would you be willing to endure to ensure the safety and well-being of your family? Interesting thought, huh? As I sit here and write these thoughts, I can say I would do anything to protect mine. My wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren mean the world to me. If they were threatened by anything, I would jump in to protect them. Even if they did not want my protection, I would lay down my life for them.

Today’s passage has been hotly contested by the best of scholars. Paul is not saying he wishes he could be damned in order to save his countrymen. That would negate everything he has been teaching thus far in this letter. The whole point he is making hinges on the word translated “accursed.” That is the Greek word anathema which means something that has been pledged or devoted for destruction. It is used six times in the New Testament (Acts 23:14; Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22; Galatians 1:9 and 1:9).

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse this way. “And the apostle evidently means to say that he would be willing to suffer the bitterest evils, to forego all pleasure, to endure any privation and toil, nay, to offer his life, so that he might be wholly devoted to sufferings, as an offering, if he might be the means of benefiting and saving the nation.” And that he did. Just read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 for a full list of his sufferings for Christ.

Although Paul’s calling from God was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, he was still Jewish and had a heart for his people. It is kind of like how I feel about my small hometown of Pelham, GA. I have not lived there since 1979, but when I do get home (which is not often enough) I still have that kindred spirit with all my fellow Pelhamites. I will always be “from” there. Paul’s intense desire to see his countrymen come to Christ never faded.

So, let me ask you again. What would you do to save your family? What would you give up for them? You may have things in your life right now that are destroying your witness to them. Give those up. There may be a conflict still brewing between you and someone in your family. Do all you can to settle it. We should all have this intense desire. I am reminded of 1 Timothy 5:8. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Are you providing for the spiritual nourishment of your family?

O Lord, give me that kind of intense burden for my family. Give me avenues to share the Gospel with them.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Grief, Romans, Scripture, Sorrow, Witnessing

HEAVY HEART

ROMANS 9:2

“that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”

I am sure you have heard the expression, “heavy heart.” You may have experienced that yourself at one point in your heart. It’s really hard to describe and put into words. You have to experience it yourself to be able to relate to someone going through this. It’s not depression. That’s a whole other thing. It’s just…well…a heaviness you can’t describe.

Paul is trying to express his heavy heart in today’s verse. He is thinking about his kinsmen, the nation of Israel, knowing that so many of them will perish apart from the Lord because of their refusal to recognize Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. The words “sorrow” and “grief” are described by Gill’s Exposition of the Bible this way. “These two words, ‘heaviness’ and ‘sorrow, the one signifies grief, which had brought on heaviness on his spirits; and the other such pain as a woman in travail feels: and the trouble of his mind expressed by both, is described by its quantity, ‘great’, it was not a little, but much; by its quality it was internal, it was in his ‘heart’,”

APPLICATION

The word “sorrow” is lupé which is used sixteen times throughout the New Testament. In Luke 22:45, it is used to describe Peter, James and John when they fell asleep waiting for Jesus to finish praying in the garden. “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.” You can imagine the heaviness these three felt, knowing what was to come. They were Jesus’ closest companions, the three He poured extra into. They knew His demise was upon them, so Luke describes the heaviness that caused their sleep.

Paul uses oduné to describe his unceasing grief. This word is only used here and over in 1 Timothy 6:10. There Paul is describing those who “have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” That would be a self-inflicted grief. Still painful, but avoidable. That is not the case in today’s verse. Paul was in deep grief and sorrow over his nation. He so desired them to come to Christ.

I, too, am grieving over my nation. When I see all the riots and protests, all the rejection of Christ, my heart is heavy. But what am I doing about it? Some days I am feel I am doing all I can, but other days not enough. Let us all agree to stop grieving and start doing. Let us not grow weary and fall asleep from our sorrow like Peter, James and John. Let us fight until the end, leaving it all on the battlefield for Jesus.

Father, heal my heaviness of heart for my nation and give me a renewed vigor and energy to reach the lost.If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry

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