It is nearly impossible to correct
a man's thinking on a particular doctrine or subject once he has
been convinced that the scripture speaks of some notion which is
in opposition to that which is actually true. Apart from a work
of grace to remove the scales from his eyes, he will remain
in opposition to the truth. It is far more difficult for
a man to unlearn things which are ingrained in his thinking
than it is to learn that which cannot be overturned. This is
why the Lord said that the harlots and publicans go into the kingdom
of God before the men of religion. The man who knows himself to
be a sinner, possessing no righteousness of his own, can more readily
embrace the mercy of God shown to sinners than the man who believes
he can gain the favor of God through his faith, knowledge,
and devotion. The transformation of the mind
of Saul of Tarsus as he became Paul the Apostle is just such
a marvel which cannot be explained by human understanding. Consider
the mindset of the Jews being one of the oldest cultures recorded
in the scriptures and maintaining a tradition that is ingrained
in their psyche from infancy. Because of this, they consider
that they are the chosen people of God and assume that they can
inherit and pass on the promises of God to their posterity by
instruction in and adherence to these traditions. Paul was
not only taught in this way, but was very zealous to uphold
and defend that which he believed to be true, even to the putting
to death those whom he believed were the enemies of the truth
as he understood it. No man could ever have convinced
him otherwise. It is not shocking then that
many Gentiles believe that the natural descendants of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob are the chosen people of God. Now, it cannot
be successfully argued that the Lord has not shown favor to the
carnal nation of Israel down through history, nor that they
may not yet be used by Him in the ultimate unfolding of His
purpose for the nations of this earth. But by the grace of God,
it can be shown that they are but a type and foreshadow of
that people which were chosen in Christ from before the foundation
of the world. As Paul came to understand, they
are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither because they
are the seed of Abraham are they all children. 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. As
the Lord opened his understanding, he confessed, for he is not a
Jew which is one outwardly, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly,
and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in
the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. The chosen
people of God is not the carnal nation of Israel, but rather
that nation which is hidden in Christ from before the foundation
of the world. That people which were not a
people but are now clearly manifested as the people of God and the
heirs and joint heirs of His everlasting promise. All of the
promises which benefit the sons of God are theirs because of
the promise which was given to Christ by the Father. And they
are by election and imputation made to be those who inherit
all things in Him. For all the promises of God in
him are yea, and in him, amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Christ is the seed of Abraham, who does bestow upon those whom
he has loved with an everlasting love all of the blessings which
are his in this covenant which the Father has made with him.
This is not a particular nationality of people in the earth, but rather
are those who are redeemed to God by thy blood out of every
kindred and tongue and people and nation. There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. So when
Paul declares, if ye be Christ, then are ye Abraham's seed and
heirs according to the promise, he is asserting the union which
exists between Christ and his people. They cannot be separated
from him, nor will he be separated from them. In his own body on
Calvary's proof, he has purchased them from the sin and death which
they have gladly embraced in their flesh. He has done whatever
is necessary that he might not lose even one of those sheep
which he has loved with an everlasting love. He is the Good Shepherd
who gives his life for the sheep.