Romans Chapter 9 – Children of the Flesh are Not Children of God

This verse stood out for me in this chapter today:

“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.”

Rom 9:8

Apostle Paul mentioned in the previous chapter that with God’s love, there is nothing we cannot conquer, and nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39). Yes, nothing shall separate us from the love of God, except our own rejection of Christ! And we reject Christ by submitting to our flesh!

I take the liberty to mention that possibly every Christian who is serious in practicing his faith and strives to walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:1, 4, Gal 5:16), will at some time or other, struggle with the lust of his eyes, fleshly enticements, and his sense of pride. In fact, daily, we meet with encounters in school or at work where people are becoming more selfish, cunning, and ungodly.

Once shameful or unethical behaviours are brazenly conducted today, with advocates campaigning for their causes in public, trying to create new social norms and tolerances, under the auspices of large and established organizations.

A case in point is homosexuality, and individuals who have been influenced to accommodate and empathize with its associated thinking and behaviours. Homosexual advocates use and abuse the meaning of love, as given to us, and as intended by God.

They claim that their love for same-sex, or/and concurrent different-sex partners (the many ‘love’ permutations should already set alarm bells ringing) should be recognised and embraced by society. 1 John 4:8 records that God is love, and 1 Cor 13:5, 6 tell us what love is; that it “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth”. Christians would know that marriage is a holy matrimony and union between man and wife (Gen 2:24).

It would follow that whoever practise or condone homosexual acts, and confuse it as love, ‘seek its own’ will. Perhaps misinformed, not knowing the truth, or ‘whose minds the god of this age has blinded’ (2 Cor 4:4), the love that they profess for their same-sex (or other) partners neither ‘rejoices in the truth’, nor does it stem from ‘a pure heart, a good conscience and from sincere faith’ (1 Tim 1:5). Instead, they behave carnally (Gen 19:4-5).

The love that God has for each of us, along with His greatest commandment for us, is a love based on the truth of God’s word – a love without the shame, doubt, or darkness of sin. The word of God clearly states that such conduct is sin (Rom 1:21-32). Are we judging others when we reason in this way?

Interestingly, in Matthew 7:1-6, the passage that reminds us not to judge others, but to first look inward at our own sins – instructs us in v6 to ‘not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast our pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.’ Acquaintances, or even friends who are carnally minded will not reciprocate like-for-like (Rom 12:8-10), and as God’s children, we should always be vigilant.

Another case in point is ill-treating, bullying, and having no regard for the lives of fellow human beings. An example is recorded in Mark 12:1-10, which unfortunately, can still be seen in our lived experience today. 

Unsurprisingly, ethics often take a backseat in decision-making and societal considerations. Even professed Christians may not attempt to practise their faith all the time, much less put up any struggle against the flesh. Gen 6:5, and 2 Tim 3:1-9 warn us of such times – the characteristics, its manifestations, and consequences. If it were not for Jesus who Himself experienced the very same struggles and temptations, yet successfully conquered the persistent sludge of sin (Heb 4:15), we would not have any hope of redemption today.

Praise God! Let us remain discerning and vigilant, for there is nothing worse in this world than being separated from the love of God.

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