THE ISRAEL OF GOD
When the Chosen People of Israel hardened their hearts and rejected Christ, the Word of God was shared with those outside the household of Israel. These folks, (Gentiles) who were not originally "children of Abraham" by ethnic origin, were "grafted into" the Chosen People because they came to believe in the same Messiah (Jesus) in whom Abraham also believed.
Consequently, Christians, who are not ethnically descendants of Abraham, now are considered part of Abraham's household. And those who do not believe in Jesus as Messiah, be they ethnic Jews or Gentiles, are no longer (or not) a part of God's Chosen because they have rejected the descendent of Abraham who would bless all peoples. (see Genesis 12)
In short, the Chosen People (or Israel) are now no longer defined by ethnicity, but by faith. "Children of Abraham" or the "Israel of God" are now defined by trusting in His Messiah.
A lesson we can learn from this chapter is that we, like the ethnic descendants of Abraham, must always be careful that we do not mistakenly think that we are God's people just because of our history, our heritage, our name or our lineage. Being a Christian is about faith -- our faith. Our salvation is based solely on what Jesus did for us, and we are God's people when we are connected to such faith.
Are you a Lutheran? Why? What does that mean to you? How are you living it?
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