TO CHEW ON: "And if some of the branches were broken off, and you being a wild olive tree were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you." - Romans 11:17,18.
I am a Gentile and eternally grateful that there is a place in God's olive tree for grafted-in branches.
In an article in my Bible, Shira Sorko-Ram says of Romans 11:
"One of the most remarkable passages in the Bible states that the Gentiles were made rich because of Israel's fall (Romans 11:11-12). Because they were cast away for a season the world is being touched with the message of salvation and reconciliation to God. ...The great revelation Paul enunciates in Romans 11 stands as a towering statement to God's sovereign workings in redemption. Through Israel's sin, God provided the whole world with a Savior! 'Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ....His ways are past finding out!' (Romans 11:33)"
- Shira Sorko-Ram, "Understanding Messianic Jewish Ministry," New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1881-1882.Paul calls God's plan "severity" and "goodness." He is severe in lopping off the unbelieving branches, but good in grafting in believing ones. It is not a matter of race with God, but a matter of belief, for He will again graft in those Jewish branches when they turn back to Him in belief (Romans 11:23).
We need to keep in mind that God's choice and acceptance of us is not due to our goodness, our race, or our heritage. We do not inherit a spot in His family because we come from a long line of believers and our parents believed in Him. Rather each person comes individually and is accepted because he or she has put personal faith in Christ for salvation. God is color blind when it comes to salvation and we should be too.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your sovereign, wise plan, in which I as a Gentile can have a part. Amen.
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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