ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
Again, he adds, "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called" (verse 7). What a blow these words are to the doctrine of the universal Fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of man! People today are saying that, irrespec- tive of what we believe, we are God's children. This is not true. God is Father only of those who are adopted by faith. This other doctrine is Satan's lie. Neither does the universal Fatherhood of God refer to Israel. God took them out from among other nations, but He ever had in mind a regenerate people. The real children of Abraham are those who have his faith, as well as his ancestry. If Israel could have expected blessing on the ground of natural descent alone, then the Edomites, descendants of Esau, would have entered into the promises; for they were of the flesh of Abraham. Yet the Jews would not admit that these people should enter into the bless- ings. And the great majority of those whom the Jews con- sidered the true children of Abraham did not really belong to Israel. Not all born of lsraelitish blood belong to Israel. as recognized by God. The Illustration of Isaac and Ishmael. The real children of promise and the natural descendants of Abraham are illustrated by Isaac and Ishmael (verses 7-9). Ishmael was the product of the flesh, while Isaac was miraculously born, illustrating those born of the Spirit. In that sense you and I are children of Abraham. However, Paul is not talking here about Gentile children of Abraham, but about those who are his natural descendants, as well as of his faith. He is making a distinction between Israel and Israel. Only to born- again Jews did God give promise. Every Jew without Christ, as well as every Gentile without Christ, is lost. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36 ). My! what a lesson Paul gives to ungodly, unconverted church members who have had great men of faith as their fathers! [Page 181
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