I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit — that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood.
Romans 9:1-3
I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:4-6
But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.
Philippians 3:7
They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises. The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen.
Philippians 9:4-5
Now it is not as though the word of God has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Neither is it the case that all of Abraham’s children are his descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac. That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring. For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac. For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand — not from works but from the one who calls — she was told, The older will serve the younger. As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.
Philippians 9:6-13
What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. For the Scripture tells Pharaoh, I raised you up for this reason so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in the whole earth. So then, he has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Philippians 9:6-13
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; faithful love and truth go before you.
Psalm 89:14
As you were growing up what did you believe about how a person could obtain eternal salvation? Where did those beliefs come from? What are some false perceptions people in our culture have about how one obtains eternal salvation?
In Philippians 3:4 Paul says, “I have reasons for confidence in the flesh.” How about you? In what ways are you tempted to try to validate yourself based on your own works or earthly credentials?
In Romans 9:2 Paul says, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart,” because of his brothers and sisters who don’t yet know Jesus. Who do you have that kind of burden for? Who are you praying for, inviting, and including so you can hopefully tell them about Jesus?
Do you live in a way that causes others to know you belong to Jesus? What are some specific opportunities you may have to do this?
