"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off" (Romans 11:22)

Paul tells us in today's passage to remember the kindness and sternness of God so that we will continue in this kindness and not fall away to be cut off? What is the kindness of God? If we are to remain in it, it is important to understand what it is so that we can grow and develop under God's kindness.

Paul said in Ephesians, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:4-7 ). Because of Gods great love for us, he sent Jesus to redeem mankind from the dominion of darkness by which we were held captive. He looked upon our condition and knew that we were powerless to save ourselves and so he sent Jesus to do what we were incapable of doing. This is the message of grace and it shows the fullness of God's love and kindness towards us in the person of Jesus Christ.

Paul also said in Romans 2, that it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance ( Romans 2:4 ). God's love and mercy is what brings us to Christ to be justified by him. Many times we try to scare people into the kingdom of God by preaching fire and damnation, but this is not the message of Christ. The gospel means 'good news' and it is a message of grace, love and kindness. It is more effective to share the good news of what Christ has done for us in bringing people to the Lord, than it is to argue and condemn them for their sin which has already been paid for. Understanding the kindness of the Lord and his goodness towards us in the person of Jesus Christ will bring us to him to find eternal life.

Because of Jesus' kindness and grace we are included in God's family by believing in him through faith. None of this was earned by our own merit. Grace is what continually holds us in this position of favor with the Lord. The same passage in Ephesians 2 tells us that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:6 ). We are currently seated with Christ in heaven because of God's great love for us. This is our present position by grace, secure and unharmed by what the world can do to us. Knowing and experiencing God's kindness towards us will lead us into a life solely devoted to him. This devotion is based on gratitude for what he has done for us. It is not based on what we can do for him. Therefore our lives are changed because of God's kindness towards us.  Paul said to remember and consider what his kindness has done for you so that you will always remain steadfast in it.

If kindness is showed to us by accepting his gift of grace through Christ Jesus, then what is the sternness of God that Paul warns us about?  John said, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him" ( John 3:36 ). Even though the payment for sin was fulfilled in Jesus for all sins past, present and future ( Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 9:28, Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 10:18, I John 2:2 ). And the way to God has been opened up and freely offered to all through Christ Jesus, some will not accept this message and find salvation. The only thing that can keep you from eternal life and keep you out of heaven is the choice to reject Jesus. Jesus said in John, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6 ). If we reject Jesus, which was the expression of God's kindness towards us, then we will remain under his wrath and experience the severity of God in the age to come.

In the same way, as born again believers we must continue in his grace and abide in his love so that we will not drift away, become complacent and calloused towards this wonderful gift. The writer of Hebrews admonished, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will" ( Hebrews 2:1-4 ). If the message of the law was binding how much more severe will God be against those who have rejected such a great salvation? The blood of Jesus completely satisfied God's wrath against us. It is so complete that he now looks upon us with favor and kindness. He is not angry with us and will not punish us for sin because all judgment was placed upon Jesus. However, if we choose to reject such a wonderful gift then we remain enemies of God instead of being among his dearly beloved children.

Paul warns us against falling away from this wonderful gift of grace. Once we have accepted this gospel message, he reminds us to remain steadfast in God's kindness built up continually in faith and love so that we will not become hard hearted toward God and fall away.  Paul said, "For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either" ( Romans 11:21 ). This only happens by unbelief and being calloused towards the Savior. This is why Paul said to remain in God's kindness standing firm in faith.

Today, I am encouraged because of God's kindness towards me in the person of Jesus Christ. I rejoice in this great salvation in which I have been included. May you understand this grace to which you were called, amen!

"Do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either" (Romans 11:18-21)

Israel experienced a hardening on the account of Jesus and as a result they were broken off from the promise. This made an opening for us to come to God and be grafted in by faith. Paul explains that they were broken off because of unbelief, not because God rejected them. Instead their unbelief caused them to reject Jesus and walk away from God's promised salvation. On the other hand we stand in faith before God accepting what Jesus has done to bring us into this position of grace and reconciliation. Faith in Jesus is what secures our future.

This is an important truth to understand. The message of grace has to be received and combined with faith to save us. Faith is an active step in receiving from God. This is explained in Hebrews, "For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith" ( Hebrews 4:2 ). When the message of grace falls upon deaf ears then it does not produce salvation, because it has not been received and believed. This can only be accomplished by faith in the gospel message. Paul said in Ephesians, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast" ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ). It takes both grace and faith to be saved. Grace is what was offered freely through Christ. Faith comes by hearing this gospel message and believing it ( Romans 10:17 ). The two will always work together.

In the same way, to remain steadfast in the Lord we must continue firm in faith until the very end. If we do not remain in faith then we will slowly fall away from grace by choice. Paul reminds us that God did not spare the natural branches on the basis of unbelief, they chose to walk away from the message of Christ and in the same way, he will not spare us either if we do not continue in the faith that first saved us.

 Hebrews says, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first" ( Hebrews 3:12-14 ). By allowing sin and the world to creep in, we can be drawn away from God and his mercy. These things can deceive us and harden our hearts towards God and the message of grace. They will hinder and block faith, but Paul said in Colossians, "just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" ( Colossians 2:6-7 ). By continuing in the grace that you first learned and understood when you came to Christ you will be strengthened in faith, growing continuously in the Lord. You will not have to worry about falling away because of unbelief. Instead you will be rooted and established in Christ on the basis of faith and the grace he has provided for you.

Through faith in Jesus we have been grafted into the vine that gives everlasting life. We have been joined to Christ because he alone can save, sanctify and reconcile us to God. This is the gospel message and through faith, we have been chosen to be included in his family. Now we stand before him completely righteous and holy ( Ephesians 4:24 ).

Today I am thankful that I am included in the promise spoken to Abraham that I am a joint heir with Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:17 ) and a daughter of God through faith in him ( Romans 9:8 ). May you understand this amazing truth and be blessed and encouraged in your faith. May you stand firm in this truth and message of grace until the very end, amen!

"If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root" (Romans 11:17)

It is wonderful to know that we have been grafted into the amazing plan of God. Through faith in Jesus we have been chosen, called and set apart as his children and heirs in this world. Although once far removed from the promises of God, we have been brought into fellowship with him through Christ Jesus. Once contrary to God and wild by nature, God was able to graft us in, to partake in the blessings of Christ.

Paul uses an example of an olive tree and engrafted branches to illustrate his point. Once the branch is joined to the tree, it binds itself to the tree and takes nourishment from the roots just as the natural branches would. As the graft grows it becomes a part of the tree. After a while it is apparent that the branch is one and the same as the original tree. Paul has encouraged us with these words showing us that when we are joined into Christ, we became part of the promises spoken by God. We now receive our nourishment and life through the root which is Christ Jesus.

Jesus also spoke of these things in John 15. He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" ( John 15:5-8 ). Once we are vitally united to the vine we will bear much fruit for the kingdom because of the life that the vine provides to us. When we live taking life from the very essence of God within us, then what is produced in our lives comes from that union. We can do nothing on our own and that is why it is necessary to remain united and joined to the vine drawing life from Him.

Once we are joined into the vine we start taking on the characteristics of the vine instead of the nature of our original state. The wild disposition that defined us before starts to fade away. Those things are removed just as a gardener would remove pieces of the branch that hinder its growth. This is a great byproduct of being joined to the vine. Jesus said that the Father prunes us so that we will bear more fruit. He cuts away these things that hinder our growth and are contrary to the kingdom. Jesus said in John 15, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" ( John 15:1-2 ). He went on to say that by the words that were spoken we were made clean. His teachings and his word are what prunes us, removing dead branches and works so that we will be more fruitful ( John 15:3 ). This is why it is necessary to remain steadfast in the vine drawing upon Him for the abundant life that he promised to us.

Paul understood the vital connection of living our lives drawing from the source of life as opposed to just surviving. This is why he reminds us that we are part of the promise, grafted in to the root, whereby our life is sustained. Today, I am thankful for this reminder. I praise God that he gives us the abundant life promised by Jesus. May you draw your nourishment from the root, flourishing and growing in all good things, amen.

"If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches (Romans 11:16)

Inside of the hearts of the people of Israel is a God-centered, God planted tender root. Once this nation comes to the realization that Jesus is their promised Messiah then we will see amazing things come as a result. Right now they are blinded to the truth of Jesus because of hardness of heart ( Romans 11:8 ), but a time is coming when they will look upon his fullness and accept him for who he is. In today's passage, Paul gives us hope for this very thing.

Paul said, "If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches" ( Romans 11:6 ).  Do you wonder what firstfruits he is referring to is? The first fruits that he mentions are Abraham and the patriarchs. With Abraham began the nation of Israel and he was also the father of many nations because of his faith. He believed God when circumstances seemed impossible and that faith was credited to him as righteousness ( Romans 4:3 ). This faith and this righteousness that was credited to him is the root that is holy and all of Israel's natural line descended from these things.

Israel has an incredible heritage of patriarchs who trusted God and as a result God moved on their behalf. This legacy is part of what makes them so special. So "if the root is holy, so are the branches". God has planted himself in their hearts and although they do not yet understand that Jesus was their Messiah, this heritage of faith has sustained them throughout the centuries.

Just like a child when they are of age will sometimes go their own way, they experience the world and forget the teachings in which they were brought up. However, those things have been planted in their hearts and have taken root. After a while when the lure of this world fades away and that child see it for what it is, they will return to the Lord and start walking once again in His ways. This is similar to what Paul is saying here, Israel will remember the Lord and what He has done. They will recognize that their Savior has come and he is Jesus. They will leave the way of the Law so that they may partake in God's divine glory through Christ Jesus.

Today, I am thankful that God's word is a root in my life that cannot be removed. I am rejoicing in the fact that we will witness Israel returning to the Lord in the days to come. May you understand this message and be blessed and encouraged by it, amen.

"I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" (Romans 11:13-15)

Paul made every opportunity to share the Gospel when he was around the Israelites even though he was an apostle to the Gentiles. God specifically commissioned him to spread the good news to the rest of the world. Paul understood that the Gentiles readily accepted Jesus and he anticipated both envy and curiosity among his own people in hopes that they too would accept his gospel message. Throughout his travels he encountered many of his kin and he saw them both reject Jesus and accept him as their Messiah.

In today's passage, Paul is stressing the importance that we who are outside of the natural line of Israel understand that Israel is still part of the plan.  Since their rejection and exclusion from the benefits of salvation meant the reconciliation of the world to God, can you imagine what their acceptance and admission will mean? When they finally understand as a whole that Jesus is their promised Messiah this revelation will bless the entire world by their obedience to this message of grace.

Paul is a great example of this. According to Philippians 3, he was the ideal example of Israel. "If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless" ( Philippians 3:4-6 ). According to their laws, customs and traditions Paul was the perfect example of who Israel was. He was zealous for God and a leader among his people. However, after he meant Jesus on the road to Damascus and saw the gloried savior he could never go back to his life before Christ. He went on to say in Philippians, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith" ( Philippians 3:7-9 ). He considered all things as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. This revelation of Jesus changed and blessed the entire world.

Paul started out as a Pharisee; he knew the law and studied under Gamaliel, who was a well known and well educated Rabbi of the time. Paul understood the fine points of the law, and was well ahead of his peers in this knowledge. The amazing thing is that once Paul accepted Christ he brought all of this knowledge with him and the Lord revealed to him what it all meant. It went from head knowledge to heart knowledge. He connected all the dots between the law and the savior. After his conversion, he spent over fourteen years in seclusion understanding the fullness of the gospel of Christ in regard to the law. In Galatians he said, "I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" ( Galatians 1:11-12 ). This revelation of Christ as told by Paul changed the known world.

Out of this experience, all of mankind has been blessed by Paul's revelation of grace.  What he has shared through the epistles changed the church and by default has changed the world. Wonderful books like Romans and Hebrews came from understanding the entire law and then seeing it's fulfillment through Christ Jesus.  These are books that were written to show how complete our redemption has been; books that show how Jesus fulfilled the entire law and was our substitution for the punishment for sin. Amazing books full of the promises of God. Just the acceptance of this one Jew brought amazing benefits to the world over the past two thousand years. Imagine what the entire nation's acceptance of Jesus will bring. It will be nothing short of life from death. Like Paul they are zealous for God, but their knowledge is not based upon the truth of Christ ( Romans 10:2 ). When they understand Jesus is their Messiah, this truth will change and bless humanity and we will see amazing things happen.

Today, I am thankful that Paul was sent to the Gentiles to reveal to us the Christ. I am excited to see the days unfold when Israel returns to the Lord and sees Jesus for who he is. May you understand this grace to which you were called and live a life worthy of your calling, amen!

"Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!" (Romans 11:11-12)

Part of the plan has always been this hardening in regards to Israel so that the salvation message would be opened to the Gentiles. John said, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" ( John 1:11-13 ). In other words the Jews left the door wide open for the Gentiles to come to Jesus and be part of his chosen people.

The good news is that this is only a temporary thing for Israel. There is currently a believing remnant chosen by grace ( Romans 11:5 ). But as a whole they have not stumbled to the point of spiritual ruin. Paul said later on in this very chapter that "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" ( Romans 11:29 ). Israel has a long standing relationship with the Lord and he has chosen and called them as his own. Eventually they will turn from their self-sufficiency towards Christ's redeeming love. Once they turn their eyes again towards him, their spiritual blindness will be removed and they will see Jesus clearly.

There is no doubt that the enormous number of Gentiles who turned to Jesus over the centuries has aroused the Israelites to jealousy. They look upon us and see and feel what they forfeited. But even in their jealousy they did not turn to the Messiah. This failure on their part has enriched and blessed the entire world. Because they rejected Jesus, his salvation was offered to all of mankind. Their loss meant riches for those originally outside of His covenants.

Paul spoke about this in Ephesians 2. "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ" ( Ephesians 2:12-13 ). Israel's rejection of Jesus made it possible for us to be brought into the promise. Our condition before this was hopeless. We were aliens to God's covenants, we were excluded from his promises and we did not know God in any way. But by the blood of Jesus we who were far away were brought near and included in this new family.

Paul went on to say, "he came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household" ( Ephesians 2:17-19 ). Through Jesus we have been brought into the promises and have been joined together with Israel and reconciled to God. Jesus came and brought both the Jews and the Gentiles everlasting peace with God. Through faith we now have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. Inclusion in the promise is the rich blessing that came to us because Israel rejected Jesus. If this is the case imagine what blessings will occur when they finally receive him as their Messiah.

Today, I am so thankful to be included in the promises spoken to the Israelites. I am thankful that Jesus provided the peace and hope that I live by through the blood of Jesus. Today, may you join me in a thankful heart for what Jesus has done for you, amen.

"What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day." And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever." (Romans 11:7-10)

I've often pondered why some people are so blind to the truth of Jesus. I see its evidence among those who are brought up under a system of religion that focuses on rules and traditions. Those teachings are so ingrained that they blind the individual to the possibility that there is another way to God, the way of grace through Jesus Christ. They fight against this truth arguing that salvation cannot be that easy, they must contribute to this end goal on the basis of everything they understand from their upbringing.

The Israelites experienced the same struggle. They had the Law which outlined the commandments, sacrifice guidelines, feast days among many other things. Their entire lives were incorporated into this system.. There was no distinction between their spiritual life and their regular live. It was both their lifestyle and their heritage.

In today's passage Paul concluded that even though Israel sought earnestly to win God's favor by obedience to the Law, they did not obtain it, because they became callously indifferent and hardened to the truth of God. The elect on the other hand did obtain righteousness of the Law through faith in Jesus Christ because they were not blinded by the Law.

Paul went on to quote several Old Testament passages about this very thing. "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."  ( Romans 11:8, Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 29:10 ). In other words their attitude blinded them to the truth of Christ. They could hear and see all of the things that he did, but this attitude of stupor kept them from believing this message. They were so self focused that they couldn't see past the Law to see its fulfillment in the Messiah.

David said concerning this, "May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever" ( Psalm 69:22-23 ). David saw what the Messiah would be and he was disgusted that the Israelites would stay focused instead on traditions, feasting and self righteousness. They only looked to themselves instead of looking to God. They only pursued their interests and not God's interests. The Law kept them blind to the truth of Christ.

This reality is difficult to understand. But Paul adds some clarity to it in II Corinthians. With the law came a veil. There was limited revelation of God through the law. He spoke to the prophets but no one completely understood these messages until after Jesus came. This is because we then had the Holy Spirit to reveal these things to us. Before this, we only saw an incomplete disclosure of them. Paul said in II Corinthians 3, "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" ( II Corinthians 3:12-18 ). The amazing thing about this is that all the mysteries and hidden wisdom of God are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit ( I Corinthians 2:6-16 ), so for those who are in bondage to the Law, or traditions, these truths are kept from them. They may read them in the scriptures but there is a veil covering their eyes so that understanding does not come. It is only through Jesus that the veil is taken away and the truth is revealed to our spirits.

The reason Israel missed Jesus and the veil of the Old Covenant remains blocking them from the truth is that they are only looking to themselves and their self-righteousness to fulfill it, instead of looking to God. Jesus said in Matthew 13, "For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ( Matthew 13:15-16 ). It has always been the condition of the heart that keeps them from the truth.  "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear."  What Israel did not acquire, the elect did. Those who have put their trust and hope in Jesus obtained the righteousness that Israel so desperately sought. This only comes through grace and it is offered to all.

Today, I am blessed to be part of the elect. God has chosen me because I have chosen him. I praise God that he has removed the veil from my eyes so that I can see who he is and understand what he has written to me. Through faith in Jesus these same truths apply to you. May you understand the truths written in his word and see him for who he is, amen.

"And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace" (Romans 11:6)

Did you know that we can nullify the message of grace in our own lives by our works? If we feel we must earn favor with God and do things to stay in that position, then we have annulled His grace for us. We have taken the grace of God and exchanged it for a performance based system of self righteousness. The problem with that is we will never be good enough on our own accord.

Paul said in today's passage that it is either by grace or by works that we come to God. If we choose works then 'grace would no longer be grace'. Grace is unmerited, unearned favor and kindness towards us on behalf of Jesus. Ephesians says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast" ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ). Everyone is saved the very same way, by putting our trust in Jesus' gift of grace. Paul said it is not by works so that no one can brag about it.

If we choose to approach God on the basis of what we have done then we are approaching him in self righteousness as opposed to the righteousness He provides. Isaiah said that our righteousness is as fifthly rags ( Isaiah 64:6 ). Everything good, everything right that we could do all adds up to soiled garments before the Lord in comparison to His holiness. In other words, we will never be good enough to earn favor and right standing with the Lord on the basis of what we have done. Romans 4 says, "Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" ( Romans 4:4-5 ). If we work to get in right standing with God then we are expecting a wage in return and not a gift. Paul said the "wages of sin is death" ( Romans 6:23 ), so that is the result of our work, death and eternal separation from God. Because as Isaiah already pointed out, we will not be able to stand before God covered in the filth of our self righteousness. However, the end of Romans 6:23 says, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 6:23 ). So the gift results in eternal life, not eternal separation. The gift comes by grace. The gift is through Jesus.

On this basis we can be justified before God because His righteousness is given to us through faith. This is the grace message, that what we could not do, Christ did this for us. Paul said in Romans 3, "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." ( Romans 3:21, Romans 3:22 ). Taking all of these things into account we can understand why Paul said in today's passage "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace" ( Romans 11:6 ). We either choose one of two ways to God, our works or His grace. Works nullifies grace and grace nullifies works. When we understand that through his mercy we are highly favored in his sight then we will never try to approach him on account of anything we can do for him.

This is an important truth for us today. Even if we understand this concept concerning our salvation, many of us lay this down shortly afterward to pick up a lifestyle of busywork before God. We get emerged in doing things for him in order to please him. We forget this message of grace, that God is entirely pleased with us on the basis of Jesus. If we didn't do one thing after we were saved, God would love us no less. Remember there is nothing we can do to earn it, it is by grace. This is especially true after salvation and for the rest of our Christian walk. Colossians 2 says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him..." ( Colossians 2:6 ). If you received him by grace, it only makes sense to continue walking in grace; otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Today my prayer is that you understand the grace to which you have been called. Understanding his grace will forever change your life. You will experience the freedom in Christ to which you were called, sanctified and redeemed. May this revelation of grace bless you for the rest of your life, amen.

"God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah-how he appealed to God against Israel:  "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace" (Romans 11:2-5)

It says in the Psalms, "For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance" ( Psalm 94:14 ). God is pleased to call us his own. He has made for himself a people comprised of sons and daughters. It's marvelous to know that we are His inheritance. He has chosen and predestined us to be a part of his family. He foreknew us and accepted us on the basis of Christ. What a glorious thing. In today's passage Paul is explaining that this true even in the midst of Israel rejecting the Messiah.

In verse 1 Paul explained that it was against God's entire nature to reject those he has previously chosen. He concluded that this was impossible. 'May it never be.' Today's passage gives more insight to this truth. Paul reflected back to the scriptures about Elijah when he was faced with a similar situation. Elijah learned an important truth about God in the midst of these circumstances.

Jezebel was seeking Elijah's life because he has just defeated over 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel putting them to death by the sword. He then fled for his life because she had sworn an oath to kill him. He has just had an amazing victory with God as his backer. He spoke and acted in power and authority and proved to the entire nation that God was the God of Israel and not the "no count" Baal. But, at the threat of the queen he fled in fear. The Lord came to him and asked him what he was doing and this was his reply, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too" ( I Kings 19:10 ). Look at the Lord's reply to Elijah, "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" ( I Kings 19:18 ). What an amazing thing to tell and encourage him during the time he was afraid. There is a small number of Israelites who have not bowed to Baal. I have reserved for myself a remnant who have remained true to my covenant. In other words, you are not the only one left.

At this time, Israel had rejected God to worship idols. But God still did not reject them. He sent his prophets to them to remind them of everything that he had done for them. He spoke to them about their future and about what he would do for them. This is how wonderful our God is. He is so patient, loving, forgiving and encouraging. Some remained, walking in his covenant and some turned away, but neither of these things changed God. He remained the same; true to His promises.

Modern day Israel has rejected Jesus, wishing to remain in the Law and in the ritualistic application of its precepts. But still, this does not change God. He does not reject those he foreknew. Now, he sends his Holy Spirit to show them the way and to reveal to them the Christ. But still he reminds us that there is a remnant chosen by grace. There is a small believing minority in Israel who has accepted God's unmerited favor and graciousness through Christ Jesus. He is telling us that we are not alone.

Paul said in Romans 9, "not all who are descendants from Israel are Israel" ( Romans 9:6 ). He went on to say that true descendants are those who belonged to the promise ( Romans 9:8 ). The promise was Christ. Through Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" ( Galatians 3:28-29 ). Through faith we join with the remnant of Israel that remained true to the promise and believed the message of grace. Like them, we have become heirs to the promise and have been grafted into this holy race of God's chosen people in the world today. May this truth speak to your heart and encourage you that God does not reject the people whom he foreknew. He is faithful to the promises he has spoken and watches over them to see their fulfillment ( Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 1:12 ), what a blessing this is!

"I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin" (Romans 11:1)

At the start of chapter 11, Paul asks an important question given the previous two chapters, did God reject his people? Did he finally get fed up at their obstinacy and hard heartedness? Was their rejection of His Son the last straw whereby he gave up on them? Paul's answer, absolutely not, may it never be!

Paul's response to this question was an emphatic no! In fact, the Greek words he used for this statement were the strongest meaning he could apply, indicating that it was far from the truth in case anyone tried to misinterpret what he was saying. By no means, literally meant there is an entire absence of possibility that God would reject His people. The King James Bible translated it as, "God forbid". It is inconceivable because these are the people that he foreknew since the beginning of time. He marked out and appointed them from the foundation of the world to be his chosen people. So it goes against God's entire nature to even consider the possibility that he would reject them after choosing them.

The book of Samuel gives us some insight into this. "For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own" ( I Samuel 12:22 ). We learn two important truths through this verse. First, it was God's pleasure to create a people for himself. Secondly, God won't reject His people for the sake of His name. His name carries the weight of who he is. His name is great and greatly to be praised. In fact his name is so wonderful that is was given to Jesus to be the name above every name. If God uses His name to exalt, honor and glorify Jesus because of the completeness of his redemptive work, then his name holds incredible power. Jesus is the only name given under heaven whereby we can be saved ( Acts 4:12 ). So for the sake of it, he will never reject Israel or those he chooses.

Paul uses his own testimony to validate his statement." I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin" ( Romans 11:1 ). Paul described himself as a Hebrew of Hebrews ( Philippians 3:5 ). He knew first hand that God did not reject his people because he had accepted the message of grace and he saw multitudes of people, both Jews and Gentiles, come to the Lord when he preached. Paul was speaking from firsthand knowledge that God still called the Jews. Jesus said that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel first and foremost ( Matthew 15:24 ). This testified to the fact "that God's gifts and calls are irrevocable" ( Romans 11:29 ).

The Jews must come to God the same way we do, through faith in Jesus. This has not changed. In fact they always looked forward to the Messiah for salvation. This was God's promise to Israel, it had nothing to do with the Law which came 430 years later. ( Galatians 3:17-18 ). David also saw that God would justify them apart from works and this is why he said, "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit" ( Psalm 32:11-2; Romans 4:6-8 ). David saw the righteousness that came through Christ and called those who lived after the time of Jesus blessed, happy and to be envied.  This promise was opened to the Gentiles as well, but it came through Israel, in the form of God's first born son, that the entire world would be blessed through them.

It is marvelous to know that God does not change his mind ( James 1:17 ). Those he has called he will not forsake. His salvation is open to all and to all who receive him, he gives them the right to be called children of God ( John 1:12 ). And we can rest assured that nothing can separate us from His love because of what Christ Jesus did for us ( Romans 9:38-39 ). Today, I pray that this message will settle in your heart and provide you assurance through Christ Jesus our Lord, amen!