Study Desk

God knew from the beginning who would put their trust in Him. So He chose them and made them to be like His Son. Christ was first and all those who belong to God are His brothers.

He called to Himself also those He chose. Those He called, He made right with Himself. Then He shared His shining-greatness with those He made right with Himself.

God did not keep His own Son for Himself but gave Him for us all. Then with His Son, will He not give us all things?

They are Jews and are the people God chose for Himself. He shared His shining-greatness with them and gave them His Law and a way to worship. They have His promises.

I am not saying that God did not keep His promises. Not all the Jews are people God chose for Himself.

This means that children born to Abraham are not all children of God. Only those that are born because of God's promise to Abraham are His children.

These good things from God are not given to someone because he wants them or works to get them. They are given because of His loving-kindness.

It may be that God wants to show His power and His anger against sin. He waits a long time on some men who are ready to be destroyed.

God also wanted to show His shining-greatness to those He has given His loving-kindness. He made them ready for His shining-greatness from the beginning.

For the Lord will do on earth what He says in His Word. He will work fast when He says what will happen here."

The Holy Writings say, "See! I put in Jerusalem a Stone that people will trip over. It is a Rock that will make them fall. But the person who puts his trust in the Rock (Christ) will not be put to shame."

For Christ has put an end to the Law, so everyone who has put his trust in Christ is made right with God.

But when a man puts his trust in Christ, he is made right with God. You do not need to ask yourself, "Who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down?"

The Holy Writings say, "No one who puts his trust in Christ will ever be put to shame."

There is no difference between the Jews and the people who are not Jews. They are all the same to the Lord. And He is Lord over all of them. He gives of His greatness to all who call on Him for help.

I ask then, "Has God put His people, the Jews, aside?" No, not at all! I myself am a Jew. Abraham was my early father. I am from the family group of Benjamin.

God has not put His people aside. He chose them from the beginning. Do you know what the Holy Writings say about Elijah? Do you know what Elijah said to God against the Jews?

If they are saved from the punishment of sin because of God's loving-favor, it is nothing men have done to earn it. If men had earned it, then His loving-favor would not be a free gift.

The Jews are fighting against the Good News. Because they hate the Good News, it has helped you who are not Jews. But God still loves the Jews because He has chosen them and because of His promise to their early fathers.

God does not change His mind when He chooses men and gives them His gifts.