Reputation

I Am not Lying

In this passage, we need to ask ourselves why is Paul asserting his reputation for the people of Rome? Romans 9:1 (NRSV)

God’s Election of Israel

(Gen 25:19–23)

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— why does Paul find it necessary to defend his position? Paul has been called to the Gentile and he watches the elect (Jew his own people not believing , what is he to do? I think it might be a little like me coming to Cornerstone and spending all my time going to the community around us. Perhaps I am called to balance. What I feel is torn to do all things.

Paul feels compassion for his people because he believes and yet they struggle and do not. But what he tells them is I am not lying, in other words I have no benefit in lying to you. Paul is called to the world just as I am. Ask yourself, why are we called to the non-believer? Why is Paul called to a world of people outside of the elect? Perhaps because the harvest is ripe. As Paul knows that his Jews find no belief in Jesus being the savior, as I spoke to last week when Jesus could do no miracles in his home town. It was because of his neighbors disbelief. In the case of this Roman group, Paul feels criticism I am sure from the Jew who wonders why Paul's for them and forsakes his own people. We do not convict people to believe, the Spirit of God does that, just as the Spirit convicts the pastor to preach to the ripe harvest rather than stiff necked people destroying their own lives. But he also has great anguish. Romans 9:2 (NRSV)

2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. This is what anguish looks like for Paul, Romans 9:3 (NRSV)

3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. Romans 9:4 (NRSV)

4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;

Do you feel his pain? This feels like forsaking your own body to spite your face. Or cutting of your arm to spite your leg. Paul is not happy about his call to the Gentiles. But God knows the ripe fruit. I think of Jonah and his call to the people of Nineveh, Jonah ran from God because he did not want the people of Nineveh to be saved, they were an enemy. The world around us is all part of God’s creation and he cares and so it only makes sense that if we are concerned about God’s desires and plans, that we would understand that.

Romans 9:5 (NRSV)

5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Paul is talking here of the Israelites, of the chosen people being the patriarchs, where the Messiah has come from and yet just like my sermon last week, his people rejected his call.

Paul is conflicted with his call to the Gentiles and this is evident, but I want you to focus on the fact that he did it. What are your biblical missions? How will you answer the call of God? What are the gifts he has given you?