A
WARNING TO GENTILES -2
Romans 11:18-22
For if God did not spare the natural
branches, He may not spare you either. (Rom.11:21)
RE-CAP They
must always remember that "you do not support the root, but the root
supports you." Simply put, God has called Gentiles on the basis of His
grace, nothing more.
RESUME Recalling
God’s Olive Tree (3), yesterday’s post, the Gentile ought to fear, Paul says,
because "if God did not spare the natural branches, He may no spare you
either." The Gentiles should remember that before God began to call
large numbers of them, He chose to withhold His saving call from the majority
of Jews.
And they should remember that He can change the focus of His effectual
call once more. The Jews were cut off because of unbelief, their stubborn
refusal to accept Christ as the Messiah. And so, the door was opened for the
Gentiles, who were no more deserving. They must remember God’s goodness
to them and continue in it by faith.
It is vital that we remind ourselves once more that
Paul is not speaking if individuals in this difficult passage, and hence he is
not inferring that anyone can lose salvation. His use of such expressions as "cut
off" has to do with primary direction of God’s calling, which once was
toward Jews (but included some Gentiles) and now is toward Gentiles (but still
includes some Jews).
Anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, who comes to faith in
Christ is saved with certainty. But we must never presume upon the Grace of
God. Rather, we must show forth the reality of His work in our lives by loving
Him and serving Him through all the days He grants us on this earth.
In Christ,
Janet
Irene Thomas
Playwright/Director/Screen
Writer
Producer/Gospel
Lyricist/Author
Founder/CEO
Bible
Stories Theatre of
Fine
& Performing Arts
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