There is no hybrid.

It does seem to be the in-word right now. Hybrid cars are increasingly being marketed but there are some weirdly funny hybrid animals out there too.

I’m not sure but sometimes I feel hybrid simply means muddy and unclear.

When it comes to our faith, our walk with God and the story of the Bible I can see that we are more akin to something playing out that is hybrid whereas God remains true to a singular focus, promise and pathway.

I am the hybrid in many ways but God steps into my mud and offers me His pure way.

Let’s read some verses …

“It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” (Romans 9 v 6-9)

And this is why I was reluctant to journey through Romans!

Many have written their views on these next few chapters proving that the truth is to be found in Calvinism and God’s election of who will be saved v Arminianism and God seeing who will choose to be saved (my very crude interpretation!).

To be honest: I have always found the arguments too heavy, laborious and leaving me still none the wiser!

So leaving that behind Paul seems to be reminding us that life is not about us but about God. It is His glory, His promise, what He has done and is going to do, His decisions and selections of the roles people play in this life, it isn’t about us, we are not Him. We are hybrid He is pure.

Whatever religion I put on my identification papers doesn’t mean anything.

If I am a Jew and I claim my ancestor is Abraham, there is no benefit unless I can claim to walk in the spiritual blessing of Abraham. There is a spiritual Israel within the physical Israel which we are going to discover.

Neither can I manipulate or manufacture my way through to the benefits of God by using an Ishmael. It becomes a hybrid.

I have to stay within the promise of God. I have to submit to His plan. That’s the offer to me. God remains singularly focused, His promise is pure and clear; He has stooped low and through the cross has raised me to be His child of promise.