“Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea which cannot be measured or numbered, and in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” it will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.” (Hosea 1:10)
The apostle Paul will quote this verse in Romans 9:25-26 as a reference to the future people of God – the Christians. Christians come from the most unlikely of backgrounds. The New Testament is full of tax collectors, prostitutes, terrorists, and heathen who became transformed by the Word of Christ. It also includes uneducated fishermen who learned to speak with boldness the profound truths of Jesus and educated scholars that humbled themselves to accept their own worldviews as being without merit.
Like tiny tributaries flowing into an ever-growing river of converts, Christianity is made up of people of every tribe, nation, and tongue, all flowing together to follow the One who would give us living waters. We come from varying backgrounds, but we are united in spirit and truth by the One who created us and sent His Son to die for us.
Especially in times like these, the unity of God’s people is so needed as the world becomes more isolated and divided. In Him, we are one family.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
Today’s Reading: Romans 9:22-33
Questions to ask:
- How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
- What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
- How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
- What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
- How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?
This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision