The deep root of the spiritual blindness possessed by the physical descendants of Abraham that is found in Scripture highlights Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. That Jewish election is only national is not just valid it is biblically necessary for the Commonwealth of Lord Jesus Christ to exist in Heaven, otherwise known as the Body of Christ, of which we are citizens (Philippians 3:20), if chosen. Let's examine the theological depth through Scripture and doctrinal reflection.
Many Jews historically and today do see themselves individually as "chosen" by virtue of being descendants of Abraham:
- They believe they are spiritually distinct by birth.
- This leads to the common assertion: “We are children of Abraham”—thus we are automatically within God’s covenant and favor.
🔹 John 8:33–44
“We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone... Abraham is our father.”
- Jesus confronts them by pointing to moral and spiritual fruit—not ethnic lineage—as the true indicator of being Abraham’s children.
- He challenges their assumption by stating: “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.” (v.39) “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.” (v.44)
🔥 Implication: Chosenness is not biological, but spiritual and moral, as measured by alignment with truth and obedience to God’s voice.
🔍 Deuteronomy 10:16
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.”
🔍 Deuteronomy 30:6
“And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart... so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart...”
- These verses highlight the condition of true election: inner transformation, not external privilege.
- Without a circumcised heart, the external covenant (e.g., being born Jewish) is powerless to save.
✝️ This is exactly what Jesus refers to in John 8:31–36 when He says:
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
He contrasts bondage to sin with spiritual sonship and freedom through Himself.
🔍 Romans 2:28–29
“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly... But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit...”
🔍 Romans 9:6–8
“Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel... it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise...”
🔍 2 Corinthians 3:14–16
“But their minds were hardened... only through Christ is the veil taken away.”
🚫 False assurance based on heritage results in spiritual blindness.
✅ True election is revealed through repentance, faith, and heart circumcision, as promised in Deut. 30:6 and fulfilled in Christ.
| Claim | Scriptural Basis | Corrective Truth |
|---|---|---|
| Many Jews believe they were chosen in Abraham, individually. | John 8:33–39 | Jesus insists Abraham’s children do the works of Abraham (faith, obedience). |
| Their confidence in election blinds them to sin. | John 8:34, 43–44 | Only the Son can set them free from sin and restore them to truth. |
| True election involves heart circumcision. | Deut. 10:16; 30:6 | A changed heart is the sign of belonging to God, not ethnic lineage. |
| Meditating on Torah should lead to self-examination and humility. | Psalm 1; Joshua 1:8 | Yet unless the veil is lifted, even Torah is misused (2 Cor. 3:14). |
The Scriptures show that:
- Ethnic chosenness without spiritual regeneration is dangerous deception—and Jesus confronts this in John 8.
- Many Jews do view themselves as individually elect, not just nationally chosen, and this becomes a source of false security apart from the Messiah.
- The Torah itself anticipates the need for internal transformation, and those who truly meditate on it with a pure heart are pointed toward Jesus Christ.
✝️ As Romans 10:4 says: “For Christ is the end [goal] of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
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