Chosen race, a holy nation (Romans 9:1-16)

Now we land on Romans 9 – Did we choose Jesus? Did God choose us in Jesus? Or is it a mix? Those questions have been the basis of much discussion and even in fighting amongst Christians for two thousand years. Today CVCC is going to try to understand what Paul is saying to the people of God in Rome. We first must acknowledge that Paul is saying this from a place of deep pain. It is not because he is trying to make some theological treaters, but he is saddened that there are people, even his own family, his own race, that have rejected Jesus and therefore will not be going to heaven unless they turn to Him. So, Paul is going to give an account of why this is the case - how Israel has missed such an obvious opportunity to come to their Messiah. In this, we will discuss the nations involved and how Paul is using peoples and nations to illustrate how God has always worked in predestination and election, first in the physical but pointing to a spiritual reality that we, the Christians, are a chosen race and holy nation as according to 2 Peter. This is very difficult for some but a discussion worth having. At the end of the day, we all must walk in love regardless of our differences that are secondary and not a gospel issue.