Reading With the People of God - #5 We Believe.Sample

Memorization Challenge of the Month:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Reading with the People of God Primer:

Romans 9 opens with Paul’s intense passion for his people, Israel, to believe and accept the gospel of Christ. He understands the wrath of God that will befall any and all unrepentant hearts. Paul, in an appeal to his people, states their providential history. He reminds them that God's law, covenants, and promises came through Israel. Through Israel, God revealed his divine character and nature. God laid the foundations of our faith in and throughout Israel's history.

All these riches and promises were given to Israel. The greatest of these is Christ, who fulfills God's promise. Christ came through the lineage of Israel, and Paul boldly proclaims that Christ is God over all! He wrestled with them to understand God's perfect plan of redemption. He wanted them to know that power, position, and birthright were all in God's keeping, not where they should place their trust or hope. He explains that not all who descend from Israel are Israel. Paul is making the distinction of faith.

There is a remnant that will have a repentant faith and receive the promise. This promise stretches back to Abraham in Genesis 15:6, ‘Abram believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteousness.’ The natural born are not the children or heirs of the promise but those born of faith. Christ is the promise fulfilled for all who put their trust, hope, and belief in him. We do not receive the promise of Christ through any means other than repentant faith. In light of all this, Paul’s anguish is caused by many people not believing.

Another example of contending for one’s people is Moses. In Deuteronomy 9:18-19, Moses prayed and fasted for 40 days, prostrated before the Lord for his people because of their sin and unbelief. He feared the wrath and anger of God. Paul may have followed the example of Moses.

Two things to take away from these passages. One, this is relevant for us today. In Romans 9:24-25, even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people, and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one. The promise of Christ is for us today as well.

Two, the wrath of God is also just as relevant today. In light of that, how are we who believe in contending for the faith of our people?

- Laurie Harry, artist, aspiring writer, and cook, a member at Cornerstone Community Church, Chowchilla.