the Israel of God

[Snooky]

Israel is mentioned some 2500 times in the scripture, but Paul make a revealing statement in Gal 6:5 when he says, "the Israel of God". I want to put this out for disscussion to see if a deeper insight into the word will arise from the discussion.
Another scripture of interst is Ro. 9:6 which says, "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.
I don't question that God has dealt favorably with and blessed Israel over the ages, but is it safe to jump to the conclusion that when Israel is mentioned, God is speaking to a blood lineage, or about a plot of Ground in the middle east. Did God have a people before Abraham? God made a covenant with Adam, Noah, ect. before Abraham appeared on the scene. Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldeans, an idol worshiping people and entered into covenant with him, But does the covenant cover all of Abrahams seed? Does a blood linage carry Gods blessing and promises to all who are born within that race, or nation? All are not Israel, which are of Israel, is a statement deserving of a second look. Is it speaking to a "spiritual" seed of Abraham who walk by faith and trust God, and not geneoligy of blood, or a national citizenship?
Ro 11:25 blindness has happened IN PART to Israel. Blindness is compared to darkness, or being void of light. If the blind lead the blind, all perish. They that stumble, stumble in the night. Walking in darkness because there is no light in them. One MUST walk in the light. Jesus is the light of the world. Gods word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light upon our pathway.
When Jesus Christ offered up his fleshly body on the old rugged cross, The temple vail was rent in twain from top to bottom. The Lamb of God had been slain for the sins of the world, not just Israel. Israel was only a small portion of the worlds inhabitants. There was sheep of other folds. The way to the very presense of God was opened up and whosoever will can now come and drink of the waters of life freely. He that thirsteth, let him come and drink.
Israel was Gods church before Calvary and a type of the true which was to come. Gentiles were forbidded to enter the temple, but after the rent vail, and the sacrifice on Calvary, the Gentiles are graft in and are partakers of the fulness of the root and fatness of the olive tree. Gentiles may now cry, "abba Father". Did natural Israel cease to be Gods church? Did God turn to the Gentiles and take a people for his name sake? Did not the born again, blood bought, Spirit filled, body of Christ become Gods choosen people, therefore becoming the Israel of God?
Gen12:13 Gods promise to Abraham was, IN THEE shall ALL the families of the earth be blessed. All families are Gentiles as well as Jews.
The thought that Gods people now is a born again body of believers can be strengenthed in Zech. 2:10-12 Sing and rejoiceO daughter of Zion, for lo I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee.
Mal 3:1 The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple.
Acts 2:1-4 Suddenly there came the sound of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house wherein they were sitting, and cloven tongues like as fire set upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.
1 Cor 3:16 Ye are the Temple of God.
Ro 14:17 The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Col 1:27 Christ in you, (his temple) the hope of glory.
Ro 9:7 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children.
Gal 3:16 Now unto Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not unto seeds as many, but as one, and to thy seed which is Christ.
Gal 3:26-28 Children of God by faith, (works of your Father Abhram)/Ye are all one in Christ.
Ro 2:28 But he is a Jew which is one inwardly.
Phil3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit.
Ro 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
1 Peter 2:9-10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God.
Jer 31:31 After those days saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace beon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

[Kosherboy]

OI Vey !

[Leafrivermac]

When a Gentile believes in Jesus Christ he becomes a new creation . . .likewise when a Jew believes in Jesus Christ he also becomes a new creation. Both become a new creation in Christ. Both become christian.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
I think it's obvious that those who are Christ's are the spiritual Israel. Now sorting out which is spoken of as "spiritual Israel" or "Physical Israel" can be a feat.