Election of Grace
Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul was chosen by Jesus, he is evidence that not all of Israel have missed the Messiah. There are Jews who have not rejected the Messiah and the gospel.
Rom 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Rom 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Elijah, persecuted by the wicked queen Jezebel and her weak husband, King Ahab of Israel, interceeded to God against his own country that had become so wicked worshipping false gods.
Can we sometimes identify with Elijah? The people were evil, seemingly none were seeking God. This was before our crisis of Sept 11.
Rom 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Dear Saint, you are not alone in your witness for the lost. In Elijahs time there were 7 thousand who had not worshipped Baal. Perhaps in our land there are at least 7 million, perhaps 20 million dedicated Christians who are not bowing to the worlds idols.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
In every age God has a remnant that follow him and serve him according to the election of grace.
Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Rom 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
ELECTION: Two paths of election:
The act of picking out, choosing of the act of God's free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons; God's elect. Examples are Jeremiah, John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jacob over Esau. Elijah was elect, but he responded to God's calling. This is the usual way.
Another way of election:
The decree made from choice by which God determined to bless certain persons through Christ by grace alone. In this we respond to the drawing of God by our free will. Not as definate and dramatic as Paul and the others, yet God of course knows who are his. We don't know, so we witness and whosoever will come, they are also the elect of God by grace. We do not receive God's grace by our good works, or our goodness. No we receive grace and forgiveness by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Father God, thank you for giving me a choice to receive Jesus. All have this choice, may you bless our loved ones and those seeking you with saving grace, so they too are the elect of God, amen.
Sleeping Eyes
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Election is by God choosing us and us responding by faith in Jesus.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Therefore, God’s saving mercy has been extended not to Israel as a whole, but to the elect among Israel, who have received it - the rest have been hardened by their rejection.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Rom 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
This spoken of King David, it sounds like the offense at the cross
Psa 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Psa 69:22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
Psa 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Their own scriptures describe a just judgement on a people that had stumbled over their Messiah. Yet a remnant shall be saved by grace. What of God's mercy? My dear friend Sarah expressed thoughts about this.
"Many say to self, God shall be merciful unto me, but always they forget our God is also Just.... Just cannot step aside for mercy because equal they are in the Lord. All attributes of our God stand as rock, never changing, just as promises He gives us never change."
Provoked
Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
God had a plan, that was to allow the Gentiles to come through the grace of Jesus. We should not forget that in many instances the gospel only went out to the Gentiles after it had been rejected by the Jews. The rejection of the gospel by the Jews resulted in blessings for all nations. Paul is hoping that the Jews will be motivated by the blessings and be jealous. Hopefully the motivation is more than a desire for financial blessings.
Rom 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
Israel's fall, literally "trespass or false step" and their reduction to a remnant of saved people, allowed the world to receive their Messiah and his blessings. How much more will they bless the world when they all receive their Messiah. It will be this time that Messiah will set up his Kingdom on earth and all creation will be blessed.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (the devil) Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Rom 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Though God appointed Paul as the apostle to the gentiles, his hearts desire was for the salvation of his own Jewish people.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of the Jewish people.
The Olive Tree
Rom 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
The Jewish people for a time have been castaway because of unbelief in their Messiah. In this time God has allowed all the world to receive of the blessings of Jesus Christ. Whosoever will come, come now. For a time will soon come when Israel will see clearly and be as those risen from the dead (sleep) and will; receive their promised Messiah Jesus.
Rom 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
If the firstfruit be holy (separated to God), the entire nation is also holy, the chosen people of God's covenants and promises. If the tree root of Israel is Holy and separated unto God, so shall be her branches.
Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
The promises of God, the laws and the prophets were sent to Israel, God's chosen people. If some of them (branches) were broken off and the wild olive branches (other people) were grafted on, we are partakers of the tree of the blessings given through Israel. We as chosen from the world should not boast against the people by which God made himself known. Rather we rejoice that God has also chosen us.
The United States, a Christian country from the blessings of the God of Israel is in the eyes of the terrorists, one target with Israel. The devil has always targeted Israel for destruction, we should count it as an honor to be so connected with the nation God chose first. The terrorist oppose the God we all worship.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Amen, let us not think ourselves better than Israel who failed from unbelief. If we fail to believe, though in a Christian country, we also shall be cut off.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The Deliverer
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Here is one of those verses that encourage us to continue with Christ. This goes right along with eternal salvation. How so? If saved we shall want to continue with Jesus, to read his word and be one with him. Those who say "I am eternally secure" then go out away from Christ doing their own thing, take heed. Scriptures also say you must continue in his goodness. A relationship depending on the Holy Spirit of God to guide you by his word.
Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Those Jews, like my friend Rebekah who believe the good news, shall be grafted into the tree of Abraham's covenant blessings, receiving the full blessings of Yeshua Jesus.
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
Logic used by Paul; do not the natural branches fit the tree better? I often think of grafting in terms of the walnut tree, a picture of the Church. The English walnut is grafted to the black walnut tree with its stronger root system. Both benefit by having a sturdy foundation, (the laws and the prophets) and greater fruit, walnuts. (converts) The witness of the Church has brought in much more fruit, then the nation of Israel had produced. Together they are the fullness of God's witness on earth.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Here is the important verse, for the blindness in part of Israel. The Church is being gathered of all nations, those who receive Jesus as Lord and savior. When Jesus comes for the Church, then all Israel will receive their Messiah.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
This follows the great tribulation, perhaps only a third of the people will survive the holocaust. Then shall Christ Jesus return with the Church and the nation of Israel will rejoice in their King.
Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
What a glorious hope we have, one people united in the family of God. We worship and praise him together forever, amen.
Gifts and Callings
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
The nation Israel had rejected the gospel message; Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he arose on the third day according to scriptures, and is on the right hand of the father. (Acts 7:57-60) But a remnant, the elect are beloved for the Father's sake. The LORD remember's his covenant promise to the Father's of Israel.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
So often this verse is quoted. Is it not the sovereign will of God? He gives spiritual gifts and callings, and doesn't change his mind. In one sense we are called unto him, in salvation, the first step. The callings continue as we follow him. We follow not always knowing what is ahead, but we follow the Spirit and find that he shows us great and mighty things. (Jer 33:3) The gifts are areas we are to minister in, yet the callings bring us into his plan, not our own. Pride has no part in this. A College degree, is not Gods calling, there is nothing we can frame and call our own, the callings are of God.
Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
The nations were given a chance to receive the messiah that was rejected by Israel. Now through the preaching of the gospel a remnant of the Jews shall be saved. In time all Israel God will save , but this after great tribulation.
It is time to serve the Lord with all our hearts, only he knows the future.
Wisdom and Knowledge
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
In reference to God's callings, we trust our Lord and the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God.
Think how deep is the wisdom of God. We often are wise in our own empty conceits. God is all wise, always, forevermore. He is the author of all things. He knows the details of how everything came into being, he spoke all into being. Think of the power of his word. First we search his Holy word the Bible for wisdom, and we are told to ask of him. God gives his Spirit of wisdom for those who follow him according to his purposes.
Exo 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exo 31:4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exo 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
Exo 31:7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
Exo 31:8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
Exo 31:9 And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
Exo 31:10 And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
Exo 31:11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
As we see in the building of God's holy things, he pours out his wisdom and knowledge on his obedient servants. If we follow him and need wisdom we may ask for this.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Indeed, yet so many attempt to earn God's favor in order to be saved. Some making their own religious requirements. Repent, and turn to God and he will receive you if you come with a humble and broken spirit.
After salvation, by his Spirit we follow and serve him as vessels cleansed for his honor. As Romans 12 :1 says then our life will be lived as a sacrifice to God, we give up our way and take his ways into our heart.
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Is Jesus our Lord? Is he our everything? Do we trust him for our very existence? It is time for each to fall before him in repentance and in prayer for our failings as people and to pray for our nation to turn from it's wicked ways and acknowledge our God and Jesus as savior and Lord. Then we will have the wisdom and knowledge to continue, then he will hear from heaven and heal our land. Pray for wisdom for our president and that he would seek God and not worldly counsel. Pray for all in authority that they seek wisdom from the one true God. We bow to you our Lord, you hold tomorrow and you hold us in your hand. (John 10:28-29)
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