Romans 9:1-9 - "Sorrow for the Unconverted"

Romans 9:1-9

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son."

You can be sitting at a sporting event, a concert, or even driving down the highway, and look around and wonder how many of these are truly the LORD’s, if any. “The whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). The mercy and grace of God are profound when one considers that He would even be pleased to reveal Himself in grace to any sinner.

Whenever people face tragedy, whether a shooting, a storm, or death in the family, it weighs on the heart. Some say, “God’s sovereign. He saves whom he will, he condemns whom he will” (Romans 9:18), but that does not diminish the sorrow over those who remain in unbelief. Christ faced rejection, as when He groaned at Lazarus’ tomb because of their unbelief (John 11:33). Even as He walked in the world, His own received Him not, yet He had compassion, seeing multitudes as sheep without a shepherd.

Sorrow for the unconverted is a heavy and continual burden. The natural children of Israel had privileges—adoption, glory, covenants, the law, service of God, and even the promises (vv.4,5)—yet none of this guaranteed salvation. The law and sacrifices were given to reveal God’s holiness, point out man’s sin, and prepare the way for Christ. The promises of God are in Him, “Yea and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20), and the true children of God are counted as the seed of the promise (vv.7,8), not merely the children of the flesh.

The promised Seed, Christ, brings salvation to both Jew and Gentile. Natural lineage does not obtain eternal life; only the covenant promise fulfilled in Christ would save. Even when many reject Him, God’s sovereignty ensures His purpose is fulfilled. Christ is over all, and His purposes cannot be thwarted. Not all Israel are children of God; only the remnant chosen according to grace (v.6). God’s word never fails. Those whom He has purposed to save will be drawn to Him, and none for whom Christ paid the debt shall be lost (John 6:37-40).

Though the sorrow for the unconverted is weighty, there is joy in knowing that Christ reigns supreme. Paul knew what it was to be accursed apart from Christ as was the case of kinsman in the flesh. Some think that he is saying hypothetically that "if it were possible—and it’s not—I would be willing to be cut off from Christ myself, if that could mean my people would be saved.” Nevertheless, that would be impossible because Christ is the Only Substitute, and not another.

The promises given to the fathers, the covenants, the law, and the service of God all testify of the LORD Jesus Christ. God’s purpose is perfect, His promises unfailing, in His eternal electing Love in Christ. He has accomplished all that He said He would, and His sovereign work continues to bring His people to Christ in saving grace. Even amidst widespread unbelief, His mercy and grace endure, and His glory is revealed in the completed salvation of those He has chosen and redeemed.