Text: “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his
troubles.”
Psalm 24:22.
“Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only (the Jewish Nation
alone), our upon the uncircumcision also (the Gentile Nations also)? For
we say that faith was reckoned unto Abraham for righteousness. How was it
then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?
Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of
circumcision (he was physically circumcised), a seal of the righteousness of
the faith he had yet being uncircumcised (physically); that he might be the
father of ALL them that believe, though they be not circumcised (physically);
that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.”
Romans 4:9-11.
Good morning,
Christian member of true Israel! Your faith is a God-given faith, a faith
given by God as His free gift of grace to all those souls whom He elected to
saved before the very foundation of the world. If faith be God’s gift to
certain chosen people, then only those chosen of God to receive His gift will
come in time to trust in Christ Jesus and the full Atonement Sacrifice He has
made for us at a place called Calvary. All those fully enabled of the
Lord (former Jews and Gentiles) to place undying trust in Christ, can claim to
be members of true Israel; children of God, according to His Eternal
promise. Hallelujah!
“For the promise
that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through
the law, but through the righteousness of FAITH.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void (empty, useless),
and the promise made of none effect.” (Romans 4:13-14)
“For by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not
of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created
(Spiritually regenerated) in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
When the great
apostle Paul sought to teach this above teaching, all Hell broke out in
Jerusalem. The Jews detested the Gentiles, and to seek to include the
Gentile nations as members of the Lord’s true Israel was anathema to the
crowd. At the mention of the very word ‘Gentile’, the crowd began to
riot, and Paul had to be taken into custody to insure his own personal
safety. (See Acts Chapter 22:, and especially note verse 21)
‘True Israel’
consists of all those whom the Lord has given His Divine gift of faith to
believe (trust) in Christ Jesus, His Son, and the full Atonement Sacrifice He
made for ‘His people’ at the Cross on Mount Calvary.
“And she (Mary)
shall bring forth a son, and thou (Joseph) shalt call His Name Jesus; for He
shall save HIS PEOPLE from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
The apostle Peter
also received great opposition when he revealed the fact that the Gentile
Nations were included in the promise of God for Eternal Salvation.
“And the apostles
and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the
Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of
the circumcision (the Jews) contended with him, saying, Thou went in to men
uncircumcised (Gentiles), and did eat with them.” (Acts 11:1-3)
However, after
Peter revealed the vision that the Lord God had given him reference the Gentile
Nations, and their full admission, by faith, into the true Israel of God, they
glorified God and held their peace.
“Forasmuch then as
God gave them (Gentiles) the like gift as He did unto us (former Jews), who
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand
God? When they (the apostles and brethren) heard these things, they held
their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:17-18)
Circumcision of
the flesh profits nothing in Spiritual terms. The Spirit of God must
circumcise our hearts (entire inner being) and create us, in Christ Jesus, new
creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“For he is not a
Jew (true Israel), which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which
is outward in the flesh; BUT he IS a Jew (true Israel), which is one inwardly;
and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;
whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Romans 2:28-29)
Verse 22. “Redeem
Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” Now we can more fully understand the plea from the Psalmist, and apply
it personally to our regenerate hearts.
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