Grace-based Destiny

“The children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the PROMISE are counted as the SEED.” [1] PROMISE in this passage reflects God’s grace. God gave Abraham a PROMISE that through His SEED all nations will be blessed. SEED in this passage refers to Abraham’s descendent Jesus Christ. Abraham did not deserve or earn this PROMISE. God initiated the blessing to Abraham.

“For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.” [2] God graced Jacob to be the twin through whom His PROMISED Messiah came. Jacob deceived his father. He stole his twin brother’s birthright. His wily ways caused him much trouble, but God’s grace still brought to pass His PROMISE. Jacob’s descendent, Jesus, is Messiah and Savior of the world.

“So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [3] The “it” here refers to the election or calling that Jacob received to be included in the Messiah’s family tree. Jesus is the Messiah to whom all Scripture points.

“As He says also in Hosea: ‘I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved.’” [4] There is one way to be in the Father and that is wholly through believing in and embracing the undeserved grace and mercy that He gave to us in His Son Jesus Christ. In Christ, sinners who were once unloved become beloveds of God.

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” [5] A dead person cannot resuscitate himself. We were dead to God. Sin held us captive and blind to our lost condition, but God who is rich in mercy because of His love for us made us alive together with Christ.

How marvelous! To embrace a grace-based destiny! The good works that come forth from our lives are because God prepared them for us before we were born. [6] The Lord turns what is meant for evil into good. [7] “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” [8]

Good things come to those who believe in and receive the Promised Messiah Jesus Christ. He is the source of all blessings and the Savior of our soul. Glory to His Name!

[1] Romans 9:8
[2] Romans 9:11
[3] Romans 9:16
[4] Romans 9:25
[5] Ephesians 2:1-2
[6] Ephesians 2:10
[7] Genesis 50:20
[8] Romans 8:28