“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob; (Malachi 1:2)

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH WILL HAVE A SON.” And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” Just as it is written: “JACOB I HAVE LOVED, BUT ESAU I HAVE HATED.” (Romans 9:6-13)

This chapter tells us that God is against the descendants of Esau. It may seem that God is against a certain tribe or a nation living on the earth. But God is not against biological descendants of Esau. He is against the spiritual descendants of Esau. Paul wrote that not all biological descendants of Israel are true Israelites. Not all who have received the ceremonial baptism are true Christians although they are called Christians. Even before Jacob (Israel) and Esau were born, God had already decided their destiny. And this was explained by Apostle Paul in Romans 9. 

One may ask, “Then how can I love others in my church if they may not be a true Christian?” Love is interpreted in many ways in the world. Sharing food and laughter and helping business and/or housework is not love that the Bible talks about. You can do those to others regardless of their beliefs. You can be at peace with all people in the world. But the love the Bible teaches is about speaking truths of God and risking their own lives for God.

Those who are against Sola Gratia inevitably deny the divine election and reprobation. The Creator can make and destroy His creation as He likes. God created all things for the purpose of building His eternal dwelling, the kingdom of God. And the kingdom is His chosen people. Apostle Paul used the metaphor of a potter. Paul was not making up a new story. Jeremiah 18 tells us that God is like a potter.

Even in the Reformed churches, there are many ministers and theologians who deny Sola Gratia because many (including themselves) do not believe that they are born dead. They say they were born totally depraved but do not know what they are talking about. They still worship Adam in the garden of Eden. They are Adam-worshipers. Many have been trying to twist God’s words to suit their taste. They want to do works to earn salvation. When the Active Obedience of Christ was revived in the hands of the false Reformers, the Protestant churches turned away from God. What the false Reformers promoted in the 17^th century England was a merely moral living. They focused on the life on the earth while Christ came for the coming kingdom of God. Gradually, Christians became ignorant of the reason why Christ came. They were happy with the thought that their lives were approved by their church authorities. They became drunk with delusions that they would be saved because of their (church-approved) moral living. They call their church “Mother” and worship her. How are they different from the Roman Catholics who worship Mary, the mother of Jesus?

The fact is that they pursue a lawless living by rejecting Sola Gratia. And their falsely pious living has been exposed and proven false again and again throughout the history. Christians commit physical and spiritual adultery secretly and publicly. They steal from and murder others. They tell others God is merciful and would not punish them for their wrongdoings. They live just as the Israelites did in the OT. They boast of their bloodline saying they are the descendants of Christians. But they have nothing to do with Abraham or any saints spiritually. Although they call themselves Christians, they are no different than unbelievers.

Even true Christians sometimes follow the ways of false Christians because of the fear of people. They are confused and in agony, but they do not know why they are not happy in their churches. When God sends disasters, some of them will realize that this life on the earth is nothing by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are renewed by the words of God. They will realize that their churches have been telling them lies about God. God will save His chosen people as He promised in the OT because of His mercy and faithfulness. The remnant will be saved but they will go through a hard training. False Christians go to churches to entice true Christians. Those unbelievers may laugh at the demise of churches around the world. But the true church, the only bride of Christ, remains unharmed. The unbelievers will be punished and destroyed completely as the spiritual descendants of Esau.

As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be a desolation, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 35:15)