Issue 21 - Day 1

Romans 11

Romans 11:20-23
20)  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21)  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
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.
23)  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

As saved saints by the grace of God it is easy for us to think that we have nothing to do to maintain our salvation. And indeed, nothing we could do gained our salvation, so how much less can we keep it by our own strength. We are saved, and retain that salvation only by the grace of God who gave it to us. However this does not mean that we can take it easy, far from it. We are saved in order that we be freed to do good works, which before we were unable to do because of the sin in us.

How does this relate to the people of Israel? They were and are God’s chosen people. He was their God in the desert, in the promised land, in captivity and in times of peace. However when they sinned as a nation they were punished as a nation. It was God’s plan for them to live in the promised land. It was his plan for them to serve him, build the temple, and lead the people of the world in worship of the most high God. Unfortunately they failed as a nation and so were removed from the land, the temple destroyed until such time as they repented. Their repeated disobedience opened the way for us to receive of the promises of God also. If God punished them, how much more will he discipline us when we disobey him. Repent now, and follow him with all your heart.