Romans 9:1-5 (NRSV)
Read Romans 9:1-5 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 9I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit- Verse 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. Verse 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. Verse 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; Verse 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Devotion
With heartbreaking anguish, Paul writes his fellow Israelites about the sorrow their rejection of Christ causes him. He declares that those who live under the law can only seek salvation through the law, a salvation they can never earn as sinful people. Instead, by faith, Paul trusts that through Christ we are adopted into God’s family and made children of God. Speaking about the Israelites, Paul points us to Christ, declaring we can live with faith in a Messiah who has already come and saved his people, setting us free from sin. Evident in this is God’s own faithfulness, even among the faithlessness of his people. Through Jesus Christ, his gift of adoption is also for you. This is the truth that Paul proclaims, the truth that is rejected when one seeks salvation through one’s own works instead of through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through your dear Son you have made me a child of God. Create in me fervent faith with which to cling to your promises. Teach me also to proclaim these promises to those who have not come to believe. Amen