6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
—Romans 9:6-13, ESV

Our text at hand deals expressly with “God’s purpose in election” (vs. 11).  It fits within a larger framework (Romans 9-11) that deals with election, evangelism, and exaltation.  It is important to remember that election never negates evangelism, and both election and evangelism serve to exalt, magnify and glorify God.

It is ironic to be tackling the doctrine of election, theologically, at the same time our country is involved in the big game, politically.  We are less than three months away from the quadrennial election of the next President of the United States.  It seems our current presidential candidates have turned this year's political climate upside down.  

In a different way, the Bible takes the topic of election and turns it upside down.  I am not sure what we can do to straighten out this crazy election year.  I do know, however, a careful study of Romans 9 will help us set the doctrine of election upright.  I can guarantee you it will be God who comes out on top.

Election turns the concept of election upside down.

In our democratic republic, all free and willing voters cast their ballots to elect one person to serve as our head of state.  In the Bible, our free and willing God chooses through His own election certain persons who will be citizens of His kingdom and children in His family, none of whom were free or willing to come to Christ until God chose to give them grace. 

Consider what our great statements of faith say concerning the doctrine of election:

By his eternal and completely free purpose of his will, God has both appointed the elect to glory and foreordained all the means through which they will be saved. The elect, who are fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ and are effectually called to faith in Christ by his Spirit working at the appropriate time. The elect are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith to salvation. The elect are the only people who are redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.
— The 1689 London Baptist Confession

Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life, not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ, in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified.
— The Abstract of Principles

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
— The Baptist Faith and Message

Consider, more importantly, what the Scriptures have to say:

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you.
— Deuteronomy 7:6-8

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.
— John 15:16

He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace.
— Ephesians 1:4-6

Election is a slam dunk doctrine.  It is biblical, historical, and eternal.  God chooses those who would otherwise never choose Him (ref. Romans 3:10ff).  God saves those who cannot save themselves (ref. Ephesians 2:8-9).  Much like the human beings He created, God chooses for Himself whom He wants to love and be betrothed to forever (ref. Romans 9:13).  And the bride whom God has chosen to make His eternal beloved is named Israel.

Election turns the meaning of Israel upside down.

Israel, however, may not be exactly who you think she is.  She may not even be Jewish, at least not entirely.  She is, in all actuality, a mix of races and cultures from the combination of two covenants.  

By the way, this does not negate the truths we learned from the first paragraph of Romans 9.  Christians indeed should love, long for the security, and seek the salvation of the literal Jewish people, in the state of Israel and around the world.  Christians are indebted to the Jews for all of the reasons Paul stated and more.  We just need to understand there are two Israels, national Israel and spiritual Israel.

Paul is referring in this paragraph to spiritual Israel, all saved people of all time (ref. 9:6).  Paul will eventually take us to 11:26 where he declares, “All Israel will be saved.”  Indeed, all saved people of all time will be saved.  This eternal body and bride of Christ can be called “Israel,” which includes those saved by grace through faith in God under the Old Covenant and New Covenant (ref. Galatians 6:16).  Or, you can call the eternal people of God “The Church,” which includes the same set of saved people from Old Covenant and New Covenant times (ref. Hebrews 12:23).  

There should always be a distinction when interpreting Scripture between national Israel and spiritual Israel.  There should also be an understanding of the difference between the visible church and the invisible church.  People who were born into or converted to Judaism constitute national Israel.  People who are saved by grace through faith in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, are spiritual Israel.  People who are members of churches are the visible church.  People who are genuinely saved by grace through faith in Jesus are the invisible church made visible when Christ comes again.  The true, spiritual people of God have always been a remnant of the national or visible people of God.  Just being Jewish or a church member comes through “the children of the flesh.”  Being saved means being one of “the children of the promise,” the promise being God’s gospel of grace.  

Dust and metal can be separated by a magnet.  Superficial believers and true believers can be separated by the word of God, which never fails (ref. Isaiah 55:10-11).  Spiritual Israelites in the Old Covenant and truly saved church members in the New Covenant hear, heed, and order their lives around the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is what saved people do, and lost people do not.

Election turns the choice of salvation upside down.

Speaking of salvation, election turns salvation upside down, too.

Most people in the world, Jews and Christians and other religious and non-religious people, believe in salvation by morality.  Good people are saved, bad people are not.  Salvation by works is the most common religious belief of all time.  In this view God is a blind, scale-holding, kindly old judge, rewarding and helping people who have helped themselves with the reward of Heaven.  But as out text tells us, “good or bad” has nothing to do with it.  

A great many people believe in salvation by biology.  If you are born into a Jewish or Christian household, you’re going to be alright with God.  He takes legacies, or so some believe, even if they don’t believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Still others, especially in our own tradition, believe in salvation by determination.  In other words, anyone willing to make a decision for Jesus Christ, is saved by Jesus Christ.  So we harangue and manipulate and create ways and means for people to make a decision, which supposedly calls God into action as if He were a genie or taxi, and becomes the basis for salvation.  Decision-making is a work, however, often a hard work (just look at how U.S. Presidents age in office), and no one can be saved by works (ref. Ephesians 2:8-9).  

The Scriptures declare that people are saved because of “God’s purpose of election.”  God does the choosing, God does the effectual calling, God grants grace, repentance, and faith, so that a lost person may become a saved, newborn, child of God.  

This God did for Abraham, and not his pagan peers.  God chose Isaac, not Ishmael.  God chose Jacob, not Esau.  God choses whom He wants to choose, save, love, and live with forever.  The rest, like Esau, will suffer the “hate,” rejection (Calvin), and eternal punishment their rebellion and unbelief deserve (ref. Malachi 1:1-4).

Election turns the terms of glory upside down.

I have often encountered people who claim to be Christian, and I don’t doubt they are, who react almost violently to the doctrine of election.  “I don’t believe in election,” I have heard many more times than once.  You may have a different take on election than mine, that’s fine, but to say you do not believe in it is tantamount to saying you don’t believe the Bible is true.

The major problem with accepting plainly the doctrine of election, the way I have described it based on original language and sound exegesis, is we are Americans.  We are doers, earners, competitors.  We cannot help but want credit, recognition, reward for what we have done, earned, or won.  This is true even in thinking of the way we come to Christ for salvation.  We all sing “Amazing Grace,” but our favorite song is “I have decided to follow Jesus.”  

But if you are truly saved, it is because God decided you will follow Jesus.  He chose you, pursued you, bestowed His grace upon you.  Therefore, God, not you nor me nor anyone else, gets all the glory in salvation.  

Perhaps our song should be, “To God be the glory, great things He has done.”  Indeed, the greatest thing He has done is save those of us who are saved.  This He did, according to “God’s purpose in election.”