Romans 11
-Paul makes it clear that the Lord has NOT rejected His
people, the Israelites, forever. The key Scripture here for us is Romans 11:25,
“a partial hardening has come over upon Israel, until the fullness of the
Gentiles has come in.” There is still a remnant that will serve Him, as Paul
was, but the majority, it is prophesied, will harden their hearts for the
purpose of bringing in all the Gentiles who will accept the Jewish Messiah as
King and Lord. This in no way nullifies the promises of God towards His people
as they will come back to Him in the end and “all Israel will be saved (Romans
11:26).” This debunks the notion of replacement theology. God still has His
chosen people in mind and will use them in His Kingdom purposes. He is simply
bringing in as many as will receive Him from among the Gentiles during this
church age in which we currently live. He has NOT forgotten His people or His
promises. We as Gentiles can be “grafted in” to His family (the olive tree as
it is illustrated in this chapter by Paul), but we should never become arrogant
or prideful toward the “natural branches” realizing that they are our
supporting root system (Romans 11:17-18). Belief is the key issue as we can
clearly see in this passage. The believing faithful will inherit His blessings;
the unbelievers will be cut off from His mercy and kindness (Romans 11:20). His
gifts and call is irrevocable (ametamelatos-
not to be regretted, not to be taken back) to His people (Romans 11:29). His covenant
is secure and will endure to all generations. He has never and will never fail to
fulfill His promises. Israel’s disobedience only gives God more glory because we
as Gentiles can enter His rest in His mercy, riches, wisdom, and knowledge (Romans
11:32-33). His judgments are unsearchable (in other words, don’t try to figure them
out) and His ways are inscrutable (mysterious, unfathomable) (Romans 11:33). He
is the ultimate Counselor and He needs no repayment (Job 35:7, Isaiah 40:13, Romans
11:34-35). “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Romans 11:36).”
All glory belongs to our God! *Application* Jealousy and strife over this issue
of salvation and who it is designed for should be relegated to deepest halls of
hell. God wants to graft as many into His Kingdom, both Jew and Gentile, as He can.
Repent from your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and YOU will be saved
(Mark 1:15).
Verses to Memorize-
Romans 11:25, 29, 36
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