But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Romans 9:6-9
In Romans nine, we’ve covered Paul’s deep anguish for his Jewish brethren, understanding that being a natural-born Jew doesn’t make them born-again followers of Jesus Christ.
This week, in verse eight, we’re learning the next point of Paul’s understanding from chapter nine. Not only does being a natural-born Jew not make you a child of God, but Gentiles (non-Jews) CAN become children of God.
“This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”
Jews and non-Jews who profess Christ as Lord and become “children of the promise” are ADOPTED as children of God. To be COUNTED as something means you’re being included because of circumstances out of your control. Remember this verse from earlier in Romans:
Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, which was counted to him as righteousness.”
Abraham was counted as righteous because of what God did. Not anything he did. He simply believed God.
As Christ’s followers, children of the promise, counted as offspring or children of God; we have done nothing to deserve this great blessing. God did it. Christ did it. God sacrificed His only son so He could be the propitiation for sin. Christ was obedient to God unto death. You and I did nothing. We believe in Christ and are justified. If it depended on us, we would “earn the right.” We wouldn’t be “counted as.”