You Matter

“who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; ⁵ of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” – Romans 9:4-5

As Paul pours out his heart in Romans 9, he doesn’t begin with rebuke—he begins with remembrance. He calls his fellow Israelites by name, reminding them of their identity as God’s chosen people. “Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption…” (Romans 9:4). This wasn’t flattery—it was fact. From the beginning, God called Israel His “firstborn” (Exodus 4:22), His beloved child (Hosea 11:1). Paul is reaching out not just as a fellow Jew, but as one who loves what God loves. He’s saying, “I love you because you are mine, and I love you because you are His.” In a time when many felt cast aside, Paul is rebuilding their confidence in God’s unchanging affection.

Then Paul walks them through their spiritual heritage like a father reminding his children of their family legacy. The glory—the visible presence of God in the cloud and fire. The covenants—promises made to Abraham, Moses, and David. The law—given to guide them into holiness. The temple service—rituals that pointed to a coming Redeemer. The promises—all of them leading to the Messiah. And then Paul brings it home: “from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” (Romans 9:5). Jesus, the Messiah, came through their lineage. He is both man and God—fully descended from Israel, yet sovereign over all creation. This isn’t a benediction—it’s a bold declaration of Christ’s deity.

Paul’s message is clear: you matter. Not because of your performance, but because of your place in God’s plan. He’s not trying to flatter them—he’s trying to awaken faith. He’s saying, “You are not forgotten. You are not cast off. You are deeply loved by God, and your story is not over.” That same truth applies to us. When we feel sidelined or spiritually adrift, we need to remember who we are and whose we are. God’s promises are still alive. His love is still pursuing. So let’s respond like Paul—with a heart that loves what God loves, and a voice that reminds others of the glory they were made for. Let your life be a bridge that leads others back to the promises of God.

“The tragedy of Israel is not that they lacked privilege, but that they failed to recognize the fulfillment of those privileges in Christ. All their blessings pointed to Him—adoption, glory, covenants, law, worship, promises—and yet they missed Him when He came.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones