The Israel of God

Galatians 6:12-16; Romans 9:1-8

"As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised (physically) keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I (Paul) should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the ISRAEL OF GOD."

"I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh (the Hebrews), who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. FOR THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL WHO ARE OF ISRAEL, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called'. That is, those who are children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed."

Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, was given a new name by God: Israel; because he would not let go of God. He persisted toward Him and overcame by Him. 'They are not all Israel who are of Israel' explains that not only the descendants of Jacob are Israel (or named so), but each one who receives, believes and trusts in God through faith in Jesus Christ. Their deeds "boast" in His cross and resurrection!