WOW! Okay. Paul is really starting to hammer the idea of grace and salvation in this chapter. Remember, he is talking to a Jewish audience here (for the most part). Remember, the Jews believed that salvation was their birthright; that merely by being born into a certain group of people, they were an elect group. Sounds scarily familiar, doesn't it? What about our culture? Specifically, what about our region that we live in? How many people do you know that call themselves "Christian" as a result of their upbringing or the fact that they live in the Bible belt?
However, Paul makes it adamantly clear. God has granted salvation to the gentiles (that would be us), too. And ultimately, he argues that God has hardened many Israelites' hearts for the purpose of showing them His sovereignty. That they may be jealous of the fact that the gentile is granted salvation, for the purpose of them seeing that ultimately, God decides who will and will not come to Him, as a result of the grace He bestows on them, not the fact that they are Jewish.
We really need to understand this. You often hear Pastors and church leaders say, "It's not our job to save anyone. It's our job to preach the Gospel of Jesus, and God will save them." This couldn't be more true. I'm afraid it's lost some of its fervor, though. This is why it is imperative for us to be in the scriptures. God says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD." -Isaiah 55:8. And the only way we will know His thoughts and His ways are to be in His Word.
For me, ultimately, this chapter is a warning. There is a lot of talk and euphemisms about olive trees and branches. Paul makes it clear that we are but branches "grafted" into a cultivated olive tree, by God, rooted in the "nourishing" root, saying: we are unable to sustain ourselves in the life that God grants; that it is only by His grace and mercy that we have life. And Paul says that we are not to be proud of this, but rather, grateful, living everyday for Him.
-Robbie
11:29 is wonderful to me. The Message says it as: "God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded." Thank goodness God never goes back on His promises! How many times do we change our minds, only to end up making the wrong decision? God never changes His mind, fortunately for us! He doesn't look at us, after deciding to save us, and say, "What a screw-up! I'm taking salvation back--she's not worth it!" Praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, so many things about my life became clearer than ever before. From about the age of 21 through 28 I was not a very good person. As a matter of fact, I was not anyone that I would have encouraged anyone to hang out with, talk to or take any life lessons from. Im pretty sure that I blew every commandment at least twice! Thankfully, I met some people at the age of 28 that brought me back to the Lord. After reading this passage, I now know that God knew I was only turning away temporarily, He knew the plans He had for me and that I would eventually wake up and turn around and run back. It wasnt an easy road and for a long time I thought maybe God was making it hard on me to make sure I was really in it for the long haul, I know now that it was hard because I was having to let the sinful nature of my flesh die and let go of the things that were causing me to sin to begin with. He allowed me to "be grafted" back in. I had done nothing to deserve it thats for sure, but the God I serve was willing to take me back. I think in reality had I known about this passage back then I would have possibly used it an excuse...that God would be there and that I didnt have to be in a hurry. I probably would have read it and told everyone that God knows this is temporary. I am so grateful and blessed that God brought me through that time in my life.
ReplyDeleteHow differently things could have been. THANK YOU LORD!!!!
I know when I read scriptures I often become blind and overlook important points. If I walk away with something than it is great gain.
ReplyDeleteSeems as though Israel's rejection of Christ was partial and temporary. I believe Paul knew a day would come when all would see and recognize Christ. Sounds so much like our own country and much of the world. Could it be that many don't seek Christ because things are just not that bad? At least not yet!! One day the real Christ will be revealed and the world will understand verse 36.
After I read this chapter, my heart was overflowing with thanks for how gracious God has been to us. Because of Israel's unbelief, He showed mercy on us, the Gentiles, and made salvation possible for us. He has taken us, wild though we are, and grafted us in with His chosen people. It's undeniable here how much He loves us. I love that He also reminds us not to boast but remember it's HE that roots us and nourishes. It's not anything we could have ever done.
ReplyDeleteI've wrestled a lot in the last few months with understanding and accepting God's sovereignty. I've spent a lot of time in prayer about it and God in His grace is providing me with not only an acceptance and understanding, but a comfort and peace in it as well! So, the more I read over this chapter, the more I relish in Him instead of questioning why He's done things the way He has.
My favorite section of this chapter is the doxology at the end (vs. 33-36). Paul worded this so beautifully and I think it's a good summary of just how big, sovereign, loving, merciful and powerful God really is.
I love the word usage in this chapter or maybe it is just in this translation, but I love how it says grafted. It reminds me of like a skin graft or something... like we weren't originally planned to be there, but now its as though it was always supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteThen also how it says the Israelites were jealous. My mother-in-law says that jealousy is a good thing. It is wanting something that is rightfully yours, but that envy is bad... that is when you covet something that isn't yours. I just think it is true that they have every right to desire what is rightfully theirs, but I am so grateful that the grace was extended to us as well.
Those are my thoughts.
What a rich chapter. Verses 11-12 are so powerful to me today. I have been reading these previous chapters, seemingly heaping coals on the heads of the Jews for their fall, and this brings it all together for me.
ReplyDeleteGod's heart, God's plan, was always for salvation to be available to all, however our sinful nature separates us from Him. No bigger example of that was His "chosen" people. He knew they would fall, which gave him the opportunity to open salvation to us, and in turn, create jealousy in the Israel.
What does jealousy do to us as people? It makes us realize things we really want or hold dear. Israel had let the flesh take over, and now that Gentiles had what was theirs, they may have reason and eyes opened to wanting to seek God once again.
What a beautiful picture God paints, and it is so nice to see the plan in its entirety. As many have said, I am so glad to be a part of that picture.
18- "do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you."
ReplyDeleteDo not be arrogant toward the branches- that says so much to me. I think it could also say, "Do not be ignorant toward the branches." I think so many people feel that they are "safe" by professing that they are Christians, even though they don't live a life that states the same. "it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you"- God wants us, He truly wants us. But does He need us to live? Does He need us to love? No. There is always going to be someone out there willing to take our place as our branch falls off the tree and another one is grafted in. The word of God is moving throughout the population, and God is going to receive His Glory- we can jump on board and be a part of it, or watch others as we fall off the tree and onto the ground.
As Jessi says this reminded her of a skin graft, it did for me, as well. Skin grafts feed off of the body they are attached to, to heal and become one with the initial flesh. Much like that of the branches of the Olive tree.
I'll start with a question (I am full of them!): Is the part in the passage about the olive branches saying you can lose salvation and gain if back?
ReplyDeleteGod is so intricate, so deep. I realize that my perceptions of Him are of a shallow God. But He is deep, deeper than I can imagine. It's so exciting to read the scriptures and find out the love He shows for us, but we only get a glimpse of that love. Think of when we meet Him in heaven, we'll probably be knocked off our feet (literally!) with the love that will be flowing from Him.
Since I am young, many times I feel that people (Christian and non) are watching me, waiting for me to mess up. To turn away from God, go my own way, then wander back to Him. I know from experience that teenagers need a lot of encouragement. We feed off what other people give us, whoever seems to "care" the most, that's where we direct our attention. Kids in to drugs and alcohol... peer pressure, encouragement. (Don't worry guys, I'm not getting into any of these! :) ) I'm simply saying, be an encouragement to the teenage generation, we do what to grow and flourish and be a light for Christ. But there are too many low expectations of us. I've started a book called "Do Hard Things." It's, and I quote, "A teenage rebellion against low expectations." We are in the stage of life where we will start to take those steps of independence, we have God in front encouraging us to walk forward. And depending on the situation, we either have parents in the back encouraging us on, or parents clinging on to us, not letting God do His work in us. So please, as fellow brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers in Christ, encourage your child, friends, and fellow Christians. Yes, God is merciful and will graft us back in, but don't expect us to break off and need grafting. Instead, raise your expectations, because I don't know about all teenagers, but most (including me) like a challenge!
I struggle so much with letting myself be consumed with worldly worries, insecurities, and desires. This consumption causes a distant feeling from God and it seems almost impossible to break these cycles. There are times I feel close to God and I look forward to reading the Bible, praying and playing worship music. However there many days where I just feel distant and all that truly matters are worldly idols and emotions. However verse 11:29 speaks a sense of calmness and refuge into my life. No matter how much my worldly emotions peak and trough, God doesn’t. No matter how much I turn away and reject, God’s gifts, blessings, merciful ways, and love doesn’t.
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