Scripture

In 17th century England, to be a good Biblical Anglican (as opposed to a Reformed Puritan) was a steadfast belief in the Divine Right of Kings. The unequivocal commands of Scripture required nothing less.  (This understanding later influenced many Anglicans to remain loyal to George III.) 

Secular society teaches us that the goal in life is self-actualization.If we are concerned with self-actualization, then our love cannot be genuine or zealous, we cannot bless those who persecute us, or even rejoice with those who rejoice, because each of these activities is ultimately self-less.

in Romans 11, Paul quotes God’s advice to Elijah to transition from his lament over why the Jews don’t understand Jesus as the Messiah to his recognition that their rejection isn’t final. Paul also knows the end of the Elijah story where Elisha. Elijah’s successor, is ultimately victorious.

“We do not worship the words of a dead prophet, but we worship the living God.”And so when we approach the Scripture, and particularly the troublesome passages, we necessarily see them as living and not frozen in time because their author lives.

But for Paul the question remained as to why his Jewish audience insisted upon obtaining their righteousness through obedience to God’s law and not the Messiah. Why was it that the good morally upright Jews rejected his message, whereas the pagan Gentiles were receptive?

At the end of chapter 8, Paul provides a list of things that cannot separate us from God.  Paul’s list is not meant to be an exhaustive list.  For tonight, read Romans 8:37-39 and think about what else should be added to your list.

Please re-read the story of the sacrifice of Isaac and think through how it fits within Paul’s concluding argument that our confidence rests in God alone.