Romans 9:6-13
New International Version
God’s Sovereign Choice
6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[a] 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”[b]10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[c] 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[d]
]Wednesday - June 2
Luther: “It inexorably follows that flesh does not make sons of God and the heirs of the promise, but only the gracious election (choosing) of God. Thus and only thus the Spirit and grace of God can arise only when the pride of the flesh has been humbled. Therefore, why does man take pride in his merits and works, which in no way are pleasing to God? For they are good, or meritorious, works, but only because they have been chosen by God from eternity that they please Him. Therefore we do good works only in giving thanks, for the works do not make us good, but our goodness, rather, the goodness of God (given to us in Christ as a free gift), makes us good and our works good.”