Paul was faced with a dilemma. If the promises of God were for Israel, then why as a nation were they so unresponsive to the Gospel? Could the promises and covenants of God be changed? The answer of course is no. God was and always will be faithful to His people; however, the answer to the dilemma is found on the human side – that not all who are called ‘Israel,' are Israelites indeed. Though physical descendents of Israel, their hearts were far from God; they went through the religious motions but remained unaffected by God's presence and favor upon their nation. Their favored status as a people only made them more culpable.
In the early church, ‘Christians' were first called such (Christ-ones) in Antioch, not by their own confession, but by those around them. The pagan Antioch community called them ‘Christians' for obvious reasons – their lives demonstrated Christ. They followed Him so closely that there could be no better name. The power of God was seen in their lives and they affected the people around them. They were a people marked by obedience, holiness, and following after Jesus, their Lord.
Contrast this to the church of today -though privileged to hear God's Word and surrounded by God's favor, the church has become in the words of Deut. 28:37, a ‘by word,' an ‘astonishment,' a ‘thing of horror.' More than ever Christ's name and reputation are being dragged through the mud by 'Christians,' who are so in name only, going through motions and playing games. Not all who are called 'the church' are 'the church.'
Are you playing games? Are you going through the motions? Scripture exhorts you, ‘Christian,' to examine yourself to be sure of your calling
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