Romans 9:6-13
But it is not the word of God has failed. Because not all descendants of Israel are Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they descendants of Abraham, Isaac, but that will call your descendencia.8 This is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendientes.9 Because this is a word of promise: By this time again, and Sarah will have a hijo.10 Not only that, but Rebekah, when she conceived twins by one, our father Isaac11 (because even when the twins were not born, and had done nothing either good or bad, for the purpose of God according to election stand, not by works but by Him who calls), 12 was told her: "The elder shall serve the younger" .13 As it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated".
Our purpose today is limited and huge. We will focus only on verses 11 and 12 (because even when the twins were not born, and had done nothing either good or bad, for the purpose of God according to election might stand, not by works, but Him who calls), 12 he said to her, The elder shall serve the younger. " Our goal is simply to understand and apply to our lives, what was the reason, according to Paul, which Rebecca is told from Jacob and Esau before they were born or made good or evil, "The elder shall serve the younger."
Why God worked well? Part of the answer lies in verse 11: "... for that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not by works but by him who calls. " That is the reason that announces the election of Jacob wants before he was born: "For the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but because of Him who calls." That is what we understand.
urge to feel the weight of this sentence. When God tells us why work on something as essential as ever unconditional election is giving us information about the nature of reality, specifically the second season of its reality-that is more fundamental and important that all other human knowledge. There is nothing greater than knowing about God to understand the reasons for their most essential work done. And here is one of the strongest prayers. Why do this great work God is unconditional election? Answer: "For me my purpose according to election might stand, not by works, but for me I'm caller."
My outline is as follows: First we would examine the phrase "For the purpose of God according to election" and would see what it means. Second would analyze the phrase "not by works" and would see what contributes to God's purpose. Third, consider the phrase, "by one who calls."
"The Purpose of God According to Election"
First, let's see what does the phrase "the purpose of God according to election." Literally, in the original construction of the sentence is "the purpose according to election." "As the election" is defining the purpose. What purpose? "The purpose according to election." In Romans 11:21 the same grammatical construction occurs in the phrase, "the branches according to nature" Some versions in English translated "natural branches." Become "according to nature" into an adjective. This is correct in English and correctly express the meaning. So here in Romans 9:11 we do well: "The purpose according to election" would be "the purpose of the election."
In other words, the purpose of God is, at least in part, defined by the election. God's purpose would not be what it is, if there is no choice. The purpose is largely in the election. But what is it? How can we define the purpose of God according to the election, the purpose of God's choice?
Here are three parallel texts in Paul's writings where he used the word "purpose", then back to verse 11. Romans 8:28
First see Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, that is, for those who are called according to His purpose." Here Paul says that God calls people to him, but behind this call there is something, that is, its purpose, guiding those who called. We are called according to His purpose. " So the purpose God is about to lead us to his saving work, in this case, your call.
2 Timothy 1:9
Second, we see 2 Timothy 1:9. Here again Paul links the call that God gives to his people with his purpose. "Who has saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." Here we see four things:
One, the purpose of God is eternal, says "for ever and ever." Neither originates nor respond to anything. It is eternal.
Two, the purpose of God is associated with Christ for all eternity. Christ is not an afterthought.
was God's purpose for Christ and for Christ from all eternity.
Three, the purpose of God is bound to grace. "According to his own purpose and grace." It is a purpose of grace. It is a purpose in bringing grace.
Four, the purpose of God eliminates the works as the basis of the call of salvation, "who has saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to His purpose." Its purpose is the basis of his call, not our works. Ephesians
1:4-6,11
parallel
The third text is in Ephesians 1, first verse 11 and then in verses 4-6. Ephesians 1:11 says, "we have also obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of his will." Note two truths: First
not only our call but our predestination is "according to the purpose." So the purpose of God determines his predestination.
Second, Paul says he is a free and sovereign purpose, not governed by anything except by God, "according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of his will." Why say that God works all things after the counsel of his will "? Because God governs all things, and he definitely does not base its authority on nothing of men or of nature, but only in itself. "Works all things after the counsel of his will." Definitely, we are not key players when it comes to change the will of God, God alone is decisive.
The next verse (12) is about well to define the purpose of God. It is a continuation of verse 11 and tells us what the purpose who works all things after the counsel of his will, that is, "so that we who were the first to hope in Christ, be to the praise of glory. " In other words, he does everything for this purpose: to "be to the praise of his glory." Here its purpose is the praise of his glory.
This principle becomes even more evident in verses 4-6. Here still claims about God's purpose to its highest level in verse 6: "God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in amor5 predestined us to adoption as sons to himself through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. " Here it is again. God's purpose is to bring the praise of the glory of his grace. Any election, predestination all, every call, and any redemption is in accordance with this purpose-to the praise of the glory of his grace.
What is the "purpose" of God?
turn now to Romans 9:11. There God unconditionally choose Jacob over Esau "so that the purpose of God according to election might stand." From everything we've seen so far, including the context of this paragraph, I would define God's purpose as well:
God's purpose is to be known, and be enjoyed, and be praised (or if you prefer to paraphrase: to be seen, enjoyed and sung) as it is infinitely glorious in his free and sovereign grace.
This is the purpose that governs all the works of God. He chooses, predestined, called, redeems, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies for this purpose, for its purpose: to be seen, enjoyed, and praised as infinitely glorious Being who is in his free and sovereign grace.
For "infinitely glorious" I mean perfectly beautiful and immeasurably great.
By "free" I mean the definitive reason why all events in the universe are based on God and not in another. The influence critical of everything that happens in the world is God. He makes all things, not just some, according to the counsel of his will. He alone in the universe is free to the final determination.
By "sovereign" I mean that nothing can thwart what he pleases to do.
God's purpose is to be known and enjoyed and praised as infinitely glorious Being who is in his free and sovereign grace. And his purpose is "according to election" is a purpose-selective "because if God did not choose unconditionally, then there would be free, would not be sovereign, and it would be glorious.
would not be free because then people would determine their own choice, not God. He would be bound (not free) to conform to certain personnel of men.
not be sovereign, because instead of doing successfully what he likes to do, would be frustrated again and again for self-determined man.
not it be glorious, because the absolute freedom and sovereignty of God are the essence of the glory of his grace.
"not by works"
To show this last point, Paul makes a denial and an affirmation at the end of verse 11: "... for the purpose of God according to election might stand, not by works, but who flame. " Let us first
denial. God chose Jacob over Esau "not by works." What adds something important to the first part of verse 11 where Paul says, "because even when the twins were not born, and had done nothing either good or bad." These words emphasize that God chose Jacob even before he was born and before it took place on virtue or vice. But now Paul goes further and says that this election was not "by works." The intention here is not to declare the time, but the foundation. God did not choose Jacob because of the work he had done. Not for those who would later.
In other words, here Paul is ruling out in advance the good works that Jacob will do, and discarding the bad deeds is that Esau made. And he is saying, my choice is not based at all in the works, or those already made, or by making the already known in advance, or in do not know. My choice is free. This is my glory. Therefore, my purpose is under this kind of choice, because my purpose is to be known, to be enjoyed, and be praised as infinitely glorious that I am on my own free and sovereign grace.
Consider finally the affirmation at the end of verse 11. Why does Paul: "... for the purpose of God according to election might stand, not by works but by him who calls"? This is shocking. Normally Paul contrasts the works of faith. In the 9.32 states: "Because they sought it by faith, but as works." In verse 3:28 he says, a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. " In Galatians 2:16 says, "the man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith." When we hear Paul say, "Not by works" naturally expect that says, "but by faith."
"but in that it calls"
But that's not what it says here. He says, "not by works but by him who calls." Why? Because faith is a condition for justification, but not for the election. The election is unconditional. But justification is conditional. Before we can be justified we must believe in Jesus Christ. But before we can believe in Jesus Christ must be chosen and called. God does not choose us because they believe. He chooses us to believe.
Note carefully as Paul says, "that the purpose of God according to election might stand [...] by one who calls." Note it does not say that its purpose remains his calling. Says, "For anyone who calls." A day God will call His elect. But your choice is not based on that call. Is based on himself and in his free and sovereign will call.
So, to paraphrase the verse: "The purpose selectively God remains not previously done some good works, or for any previous faith, but simply for him by God." The critical foundation of the choice of God is God. This is simply another way of saying, "To God be God, must be free and sovereign." This is your glory. This is what it means to be God.
The application to our lives
There is much more to do, the more you see. But now applying for our lives is clear. If the purpose of God that springs from the very essence of what its existence is to be known, enjoyed, and praised as infinitely glorious that is free and sovereign grace, then the meaning of our existence is evident. We exist to know, enjoy, praise, and reflect the glory of the free and sovereign grace of God. We exist to see, enjoy, and sing, and to spread a passion for "the glory of the grace of God.
and below this mean for our lives is the solid certainty that this purpose will remain. And all who are in Christ by faith, will remain. Dedicate yourself, therefore, for this purpose while in life. All chosen in Christ prevail, God's purpose remains, can not fail.
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