Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
This passage of scripture states that the literal descendants of Abraham are not counted as seed or offspring in the spiritual sense of the word, and a clear understanding of this scripture must be had, especially in our day when such great emphasis is being placed on the current nation of Israel. The children of the promise, like Isaac are the products of faith in God, for it was by faith Sarah received strength to conceive, and brought forth Isaac, after she had long past the age of child bearing. This is why this passage in Romans is so important for it removes our focus off of the literal descendents of Abraham, and teaches us the glorious truth that the gentiles like ourselves, who are not directly associated by flesh and blood to Abraham, are also counted as the Children of God, once the same faith in God that was manifested in Abraham, is to be found in us.
What is worthy of note in studying this passage, is that Jacob and Esau both had the same father, Isaac, yet one was counted as seed, whilst the other was not. What is even more striking is that God in His foreknowledge saw that Esau would never turn to Him, even though he would be exposed to the same sacred truths and laws as was his brother Jacob. This was no arbitrary choice on the part of God concerning Esau's destiny, for he had the same privileges, and more, than his younger brother. They went to the same church, they had the same family worship together, and they studied from the same sabbath school quarterly, yet for some reason, Esau did not see the necessity of giving his life over to God, and according to the sacred record, he even disdained the very thought of a spiritual birthright, which included the sacred privilege of leading the family in spiritual things once his father had passed.
As a matter of fact, it was this difference in future choices which was the cause of the struggle between the two brothers in the womb, even before they were born, and it was based on His foreknowledge of their future choices, that God then made the solemn declaration found in the following verses. Let's read:
Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
The children of the promise are not perfect, for they have their own character flaws just like Jacob did. Sometimes they are found to be liars of no ordinary character, and some of them have at times had multiple sexual partners in their previous lives, just like Jacob. Others have been found to be fraudulent in their dealings, whilst others have indulged sinful desires and pleasures to a fearful extent. But in the final analysis, when they are confronted with the most important decision to be made in life, they choose God, and the salvation He has given, and like Jacob they are willing to correct the errors of their ways through the grace and power which God alone can give.
In our day there are still many children of the promise to be found on this earth, and even though we may not know exactly who they are, yet we are instructed to sow beside all waters, for there are instances where a person who seems to be bent on evil, has repented when the gospel has been preached to them, and they then follow the Lord with unswerving integrity. Therefore it is necessary that as we interact with our fellowmen, that we see in everyone the potential to be a child of the promise, for heaven is a place that will be full of surprises, where some of those whom we expected to be present will be missing, and those who we were not expecting to make it, will be seated at the welcome table.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reaffirms this sacred truth, and it is the will of God that we see in everyone a soul to be saved, who can, by the grace of God, become a child of the promise. Let's read:
Romans 9:25 "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night' and God bless!