Author: Christine Wyrtzen

ELECTION

Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.  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.  Romans 9:7-8

         I’ve known this major section of Romans was coming.  Of all passages in scripture, Romans 9-11 are the most difficult to understand.  Election, God’s choosing some to be His children and passing over others, is a huge stumbling block to many believers.  This is the very teaching that causes a breach in their relationship with God.  They rise up in judgment rather than seek understanding.

         The Holy Spirit will help each of us understand His Word.  I don’t know how He will do it except I’m counting on His faithfulness.  Just as we’ve taken the first section of Romans verse by verse, we will jump into this section one verse at a time as well.  I need your prayers and want to assure you that you have my prayers as you learn along with me.

         If you have kept God at arm’s length because the doctrine of election appears to be unloving, I pray that these next weeks will vindicate the justice of God in how He chooses to act.  Continue reading “Election” →

THE TRUE TEST

It is not as though the Word of God has failed.  For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring.  Romans 9:6-7

         Supposedly, 85% of all Americans call themselves Christians.  Sadly, many are not according to the definition of a Christian in biblical terms.

         The Jewish people, as a whole, call themselves Jews and sons of Abraham.  Sadly, most are not according to the definition of a ‘true Jew’ in biblical terms. Continue reading “The True Test” →

IS “IT” THE PROBLEM?

But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  Romans 9:6

         When those we love have heard the words of Jesus read to them and still exhibit unbelief, what is the problem?  Is it the Word of God that is ineffective or is it the depth of their unbelief?  I can jump to the right answer, as though it were on a test, and say that the Word of God is never ineffective but the inconsistency is not lost on me here.

         It wasn’t until 2009 that the light of truth about this very issue broke through to my heart.  Until then, I wrestled and self-condemned.  Continue reading “Is “It” The Problem?” →

 ANGUISH

I am speaking the truth in Christ – I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit – that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  Romans 9:1-2

Anguish is not a word to throw around carelessly.  Used too much by someone who loves drama, this person finds themselves in a position like the man who cried ‘wolf’ too many times.  When he really did encounter the wolf, no one believed him so help never came.  Words like anguish should be used sparingly. Continue reading “Anguish” →

PRAYER AND WEAKNESS

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26

         It is not a sin to be weak.  Weakness is a human condition.  Frailty plagues the most righteous man or woman, especially when in the midst of suffering.  Quickly, every one of us loses our spiritual perspective.  Our prayers reflect this. Continue reading “Prayer and Weakness” →

WHAT WE CAN’T DEFINE

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  Romans 8:18

         I was so moved this morning by a C.S. Lewis quote from his book, Weight of Glory.  He defines glory as ‘a longing for something that can hardly be expressed.’  The angst I live with when suffering renders me speechless.  Glory does the same.  I want something deep in my soul and I just know it’s not available to me yet.

I am choosing to quote Lewis because it just may move you as well.  Continue reading “What We Can’t Define” →

SUFFERING – THE PROOF OF SONSHIP

…and if (we) are children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.  Romans 8:16

            Why is suffering talked about so much in the Bible? Why does being broken, in come circles, seem to be a badge of honor?  Some Christians wear it with pride and look down on anyone who has not suffered yet in this life.

            Paul has already given me ways to double check whether or not I am God’s child.  Why go over the top and talk about suffering, yet again?

            The theology of suffering is an expansive topic but sometimes, like the reference to suffering in this verse, I make it too complex.  Continue reading “Suffering ~ The Proof of Sonship” →

A HEART THAT LEAPS

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.  Romans 8:16

         I’ve read this verse for years but never knew what it really meant until God showed me one morning what my heart does when I read His words, when I hear a kingdom story, when I sing certain worship songs, and when I see a beautiful natural sight and exclaim.  My heart leaps and strains toward God.  I can feel it bend in His direction, moved, open, stirred with adoration.  Continue reading “A Heart That Leaps” →

ARE WE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD?

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Roman 8:14

         Isn’t everyone who lives on planet earth God’s child?  Many think so and refer to the human race as children of God.  It is a warm, fuzzy concept that usually expands to include the belief that angels are all around and are sent to protect us.  The biblical truth is that everyone who lives on planet earth is God’s creation but not necessarily His child.  The dividing line is what one does with Jesus.

In John 8, Jesus tells a few Jewish people, including leaders, that the only ones who were really disciples were the ones who followed His teachings.  Those who didn’t accept Him as the Messiah and follow His teaching were slaves of sin.  The Jews were indignant, insisting that they were related to Abraham and were not slaves to anyone.  Oh, how blindness snares us all.   They had been slaves of many nations during their long history.  Even while they were saying this to Jesus, they were under the domination and authority of the Roman Empire.  Pride does blind us! Continue reading “Are We All Children Of God?” →

A GIFT YOU CAN TRUST

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  Romans 8:12

         Gifts are funny things.  The giving of them can be altruistic; the giver loves me and I feel loved by receiving the gift.  But another kind of person can give a gift that is self-serving.  By accepting it, I feel the pressure to repay.  Feeling indebted to someone I do not trust is a heavy burden.

Early in my twenties, I responded to overtures of friendship with a person who turned out to be extremely manipulative.  She lived fifteen hours away from me so our visits were sparse.  However, every time I arrived at her home, or she arrived at mine, she kept bringing out gift after gift.  I was so uncomfortable with the number of them and the obvious expense of them.  She couldn’t really afford them. Continue reading “A Gift You Can Trust” →