God’s Righteousness Has Not Failed

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at the Northeast Kansas Lutheran Partnership, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 9:1-13.

On the heels of the glorious conclusion of Romans 8, this text may seem like a step backward. Yet St. Paul is here continuing his proclamation of God’s righteousness in Christ. Though this glorious gift has largely been rejected by those physically descended from Abraham, that is not due to God’s failure. The Apostle laments for his kinsmen according to the flesh. His desire, like God’s, is that all would trust in Christ and live; therefore, he speaks the truth in love. His fellow Israelites had been given by Christ all of His blessings, yet they had not believed in Him as the true God. That is why not all who are physically related to Jacob are members of the true Israel, the Church. This true Israel is based not on flesh or works, but on God’s promise alone. That promise came about in the birth of Isaac and in the lineage of the Christ going through Jacob instead of Esau. God’s dealings with the patriarchs clearly shows that, even though many Israelites have rejected Him, the promise of God has prevailed. His faithfulness and righteousness remain sure.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.