The Bloodline of the Spirit

The Bloodline of the Spirit
Words of Faith 10-7-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 9
    [10] Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. [11] Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad‑‑in order that God's purpose in election might stand: [12] not by works but by him who calls‑‑she was told, "The older will serve the younger." [13] Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

    [14] What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! [15] For he says to Moses,
    "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
        and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
[16] It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. [17] For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." [18] Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

    Being children of the Promise is not by bloodline. We do not "inherit" by birth the right to become children of God, but it is also not something we earn. The example of Jacob and Esau reveals to us the sovereign choice of God in His mercy. Esau was the oldest and, by human standard, should have become the father of the children of the Promise. But even before the babies were born, God foreknew the nature of these men.
    God knew that Jacob would become a trickster and a scoundrel, but he would also be one who would wrestle with God to the point of transformation. God also knew that Esau would despise his birthright and sell everything important in life to fulfill his appetites. We know that God did not actually "hate" Esau, because the Word tells us the God so loved the world (even Esau) that He gave His only Son. What God hated was the choice of Esau which has no concern for legacy or eternity and sold out for the pleasure of the moment.  
    So, is this unjust? Not at all! We are simply and utterly dependent upon God's mercy and compassion. Becoming a child of the Promise does not depend upon man's desire or effort, as much as that desire or effort is a part of receiving His grace.  
    Everything always and foremost depends upon God's mercy. Yes, we must choose, but we cannot regard man's choice as something that obligates God because everything originates with His mercy. It is only by His mercy that we are invited to become children of the Promise.  
    As difficult as it may seem, God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He hardens. Nothing is beyond His control. His arm is never too short. His knowledge is ever wise, and God is always just. He is the God of mercy and justice.  

      Lord God Almighty, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth. I cannot fathom the depths of Your mercy nor the breadth of Your love. I cannot understand the balance of Your knowledge and the choice to which You call humanity. But I can place my trust wholly in You.  In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.