Paul loved his fellow Jews so much that he’d be willing to be cursed if it meant they wouldn’t be cut off from Christ. He wanted them to be saved, forgiven, and with God forever. But weren’t the Jews God’s chosen people, called by Him, His elect? Yes, all true—but what were they chosen for? Was it for eternal salvation, or was God calling them to be part of His bigger plan?
“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.”
God chose Abraham and his family, the Jews, to be a light to the world. Through them, all nations would be blessed. They weren’t chosen just for salvation above everyone else, but they were given the incredible privilege of receiving God’s law, His promises, and the greatest gift of all—Jesus, the Savior, came through them. Wow! All nations are blessed because of how God used the Jews to bring His Word and His Son.
“But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, Though the number of Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved; since the Lord will execute His sentence completely and decisively on the earth.”
Not all Israel will be saved. If being chosen doesn’t guarantee salvation, how can anyone be saved?
“What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.”
Salvation comes through faith, not heritage or trying to keep the law. God’s plan for the Jews was to bring salvation to all people through Jesus, who died for us. All who believe—Jew or Gentile—become part of God’s family, not as physical children of Abraham, but as spiritual children through faith. Have I placed my faith in Jesus, trusting Him for my salvation? Let’s thank God for His plan, trust in Jesus alone, and share this hope with others.
