ROMANS: Law of Liberty Frees Us from Disputing Over Doubtful Things; "Therefore do not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way!"

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. (Romans 14:1)

In this part of the study, Paul taught about the law of liberty we have as Christians. Remember, the children of Israel were given 613 commandments by God to follow, as specified in the books of the law. (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome, which was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles.  

To the Gentiles, a lot of this would be received with relief.  Remember when the apostles first started evangelizing to Gentiles and the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit, certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” [Genesis 34] Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. (Acts 15:1-2)

When the apostles met together, they came to a consensus in the Spirit and sent a letter to the Gentiles stating,  Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment— it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. (Acts 15:24-29)

And throughout the apostles teaching to the Gentiles, they continued to emphasize this truth, just as Paul did to the church in Galatia; Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:1-4)

However, for the Jews, this liberty was more difficult to accept, and still is to this day. From the time God commanded Abraham, "This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. ... And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” (Genesis 17:10-14)  

From that to all the other 600+ commandments that God gave the children of Israel, Moses explained to the children of Israel before they went into the promised land of Caanan, “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

We know from their history as recorded in the scriptures that the children of Israel did not always obey and repeatedly followed after false gods or behaved as the pagan nations around them (Jeremiah); but God always delivered them from bondage and returned them to their own land.  Centuries later, they were in bondage again by Rome, but had their Jewish religious leaders, the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and lawyers who made sure they enforced that every Jew obeyed the letter of the law. However, Jesus told them very bluntly, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. ... “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23)

What the Jewish religious leaders refused to accept and believe is what Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ... Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36) Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:17) So through Christ, what kind of liberty do we all now have, Jews and Gentiles? Remember, the apostles said to the converted Gentiles, that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

The Jews followed a very strict diet and still do to this day.  The Gentiles, which are most of us, believe we can eat anything.  For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. (Romans 14:2-3) He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. (Romans 14:6) We can eat whatever we want, but not everything is good for us to eat. However, each of us has to be convicted in our own minds, and not judge others who eat differently than we do.  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. (I Corinthians 6:12-13)

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. (Romans 14:4-6) For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. (Exodus 20:11; Genesis 2:1-3) 

The point was not for us to esteem a certain day, but to realize that it's important to take a day from doing work and rest.  We should be able to do our work in six days, and spend one day allowing our bodies time to rest and recover.  But he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.  It is not the unforgivable sin!  Jesus performed many miracles on the Sabbath, Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. (John 5:18)  Their threats didn't stop Him from performing miracles on the Sabbath, nor did it stop Him from being equal with God. "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:8)

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (Romans 14:7-9) The point is we are not to judge whether some one is saved or not based on outward things like being circumcised, what they eat, or if they observe the Sabbath.  God is the only One Who can judge, because He judges the heart. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (I John 3:20-21)

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” [Isaiah 45:23] So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:10-13) AMEN!

ROMANS:Be Subject to the Governing Authorities, Submit to Every Ordinance of Man, and Pay Taxes; "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil!"

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

In this part of the study, Paul taught on topics we all can relate to.  First he taught about how we are to deal with the governing authorities.  It is our civil duty to obey those in authority, For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (Romans 13:3-4)

The apostle Peter taught this same lesson.  Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (I Peter 2:13-17)

Even though all authorities that exist are appointed by God, not all of them praise of those who do good. We all should want to do our civil duty by obeying those in authority, but when they try to enforce laws and rules that go against the Word of God, then morality must supersede civility.  The apostle Peter also said when he and the other apostles were on trial in Jerusalem, But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men..." (Acts 5:29) 

We can not go along with wrong to try and avoid conflicts, trials, troubles and tribulations.  Jesus warned us of this. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Just as Jesus overcame the world, we will also.  And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus,... Therefore we do not lose heart. ... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:13-18)

However, if the governing authority praise those who do good and puts fear in those who do evil, then let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:5-7)

This is simple and straight forward, "Pay your taxes!"  Anyone who does not pay their taxes and tries to justify it is disobedient to the Word of God.  Jesus proved this Himself.  Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26)

Pay God our tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-12; II Corinthians 9:6-15); pay our taxes; and Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (I John 4:18)

First, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)  Then respect all authority because God's Wisdom says, By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. (Proverbs 8:15-16) God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. (Psalm 62:11) Next, pay taxes. 

Some may feel they shouldn't have to pay taxes for whatever reason.  For those, Jesus gave another example.  When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go..., you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (Matthew 17:24-27)  By doing this, Jesus did the will of God; that by doing good He put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice.

Finally, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31) In other words, "Treat others the way you want to be treated!"  That is love summarized. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:11-14) AMEN!

ROMANS:Behaving Like a Christian Requires a Radical Transformation; "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!"

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Paul spent the first part of the book to the church in Rome educating the believers in the basic doctrines related to salvation. (Romans 1-8)  He spent the second part of the book helping them understand the unbelief of the Jews and how that benefited the Gentiles. (Romans 9-11) Now in the final chapters of the book, he will explain general principles of Christian life that we all must put into practice.

The first thing we as Christians must do is present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.  Jesus taught us that if wanted to be Christians, Christ -like, like Him, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:23-24) Christ has to come first in our lives; therefore, we have to sacrifice continuing in sin and the former way we used to live and things we used to do. We have to nail those desires and temptations to our cross daily, and make the choice to follow Him instead.

In order to successfully do this, we can not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Jesus also taught us, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)  We're still in this world and in the flesh, so we may look like we always did, but we shouldn't think or sound the same after becoming a Christian. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) After becoming Christians, we should have a new demeanor, more humble and meek.  Not weak and subservient, but a realistic opinion of ourselves and others because we realize exactly where God has brought us from.  When we realize that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,... Where is boasting then? It is excluded. (Romans 3:23, 27) 

Even though we are Christians, we were once non-Christians, and therefore we shouldn't think of our self more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:3) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [Proverbs 3:34] (James 4:6) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)

Paul taught in detail to the church in Corinth about the diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:... (I Corinthians 12:5-7) Through the Holy Spirit, Who is our proof within us that we are Christians, God has given each of us a gift to be used to spread the gospel of Christ and edify the church.  For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. ... But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ...  that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. (I Corinthians 12:12, 20, 25)

Whatever our specific gift is, no one gift is better than another, just different.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (I Corinthians 12:11) But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. (I Corinthians 12:31) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (I Corinthians 13:13) Of all the gifts, ministries and activities we can have, LOVE has to be first and that's something we ALL have if we are Christians, because the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) 

We're not a Christians if we're not filled with the Holy Spirit. So if we are Christians, we are filled with the Holy Spirit; therefore, we all have the fruit of the Spirit.  That's why we're able to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, and be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Love is the foundation: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16); Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you;..." (John 15:9) And Jesus taught us, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13) The world has a misunderstanding of love.  They tend to believe it's only about feelings, and often times misuse the word when the word lust would better describe what they're meaning.  But love is action; it's how we treat each other.  We are to have brotherly love for one another.  This is what Jesus meant when He said, "And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

But we are not to only have and show love towards other Christians.  We are to love everyone.  How is that possible?  Because love is not feelings, it's action!  Jesus also taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?... And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?... Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [Deuteronomy 32:35] says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [Proverbs 25:21-22] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:15-21)

Bodies that are living sacrifices to God, and minds that have been renewed and transformed are new creatures in Christ Jesus, through the power of His Holy Spirit. The natural part of us has a difficult time accepting and doing all of these things, because the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (I Corinthians 2:14) But we are no longer natural but spiritual, for we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16) AMEN!

ROMANS: What's So Special About Israel (cont.)? "They are beloved for the sake of the fathers, for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable!"

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” [Isaiah 59:20-21] (Romans 11:25-27)

In the previous studies, we've discussed why God chose the children of Israel to reveal His Holiness to the world, not because they were more special than any other people, but because He had promised their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 22:18, 26:4, 28:14)  But now we get to a fact that may be very difficult for some to accept, after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, all Israel will be saved.

In order to understand why God would do this for Israel and no other people, we need to review the miracle God performed for the prophet Ezekiel in the valley of the dry bones.  The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” (Ezekiel 37:1-6)

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. (Ezekiel 37:7-10)

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’” (Ezekiel 37:11-14)

Just as Paul previously said, this miracle proved, For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:15) And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt?  For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God. (I Chronicles 17:21-22)  God has done this for no other nation but Israel.  Why?

Paul went on to explain to us Gentiles, Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. (Romans 11:28-32)

So why did God do this for Israel?  Because He promised their forefathers.  God keeps His promises, and regardless of how Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's descendants treated Him, the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old. (Micah 7:18-20)

How wonderful to know that no matter what we do, we can trust God to keep His promises to us!  Even if the promise is delayed because of our disobedience, it will come to pass in time.  And how much more to know that even though Israel is beloved by God for the sake of the fathers, He will not take away their sins, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  Why hasn't Christ returned yet?  Because all the Gentiles who will be saved have not been saved yet. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:8-9)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” [Isaiah 40:13; Jeremiah 23:18] “Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” [Job 41:11] For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

ROMANS: What's So Special About Israel (cont.)? "For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, their acceptance will be life from the dead!"

For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles,... (Romans 11:13)

We mentioned early in this study of the book of Romans that Paul goes back and forth, addressing both the Jews and Gentiles directly in the church in Rome. This particular part of the letter is directed to the Gentiles, all of us who are not descendants or Israel and Abraham in the flesh. ...I [Paul] magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh [descendants of Israel and Abraham] and save some of them. For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?  (Romans 11:13-15)

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 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. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. (Romans 11:16-21)  What a powerful and important lesson!

We've said it before and we must repeat it again, that the children of Israel are God's chosen people, beginning with when God told Abraham, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:1-8)

When God uses the words covenant and everlasting, whatever He has established is permanent; “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19) Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:33)  Israel is the firstfruit and the natural branches of the Root, Christ Jesus. Jesus taught the disciples, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:1-4)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:5-8) There were twelve disciples, but were all saved? No!  Again Jesus said, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none ofthem is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." (John 17:12) 

The apostle Peter later explained, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) (Acts 1:16-19) So let's not misunderstand, just because someone is a descendant of Israel does not mean they will be saved; For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham;... (Romans 9:6-7) 

We who are not descendants of Israel but are Gentiles were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, to their dismay.  Remember the apostle Paul shared with the church in Ephesus how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery..., which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. (Ephesians 3:3-7)

Paul also reiterated this to the church in Colossi, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:26-27)  Just like the picture of the olive tree above, we can see that the branches grafted in are not part of the original tree, but they can not be separated from the tree.  We were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root; remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.  We who are not descendants of Israel in the flesh are of Israel and the seed of Abraham because we stand by faith.

Those who are Israel and of the seed of Abraham in the flesh but have not put their faith in Christ Jesus were broken off because of unbelief.  However, we who believe must not feel that we are better or more enlightened than Israel who has not believed; Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.  Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. (Romans 11:22)

And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11:23-24) God always wants us to be mindful not to think of our self more highly than we ought to think, but to think soberly.  We are no more or less special than anyone else.  To God, we are all special, and through faith in Christ Jesus, we all shall be saved. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13)

But the children of Israel are the firstfruit and the natural branches of the Root; For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the word of the Lord to them has always been, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:30-32) AMEN!

ROMANS: What's So Special About Israel? "At this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace!"

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. (Romans 11:1-2) 

Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? [I Kings 19:10, 14] But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [I Kings 19:18] Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. (Romans 11:2-6)

From the beginning of Israel's history, they have been a disobedient people towards God, starting with the original ten sons of Israel hating their younger brother Joseph, but not the youngest Benjamin, of whose tribe Paul is a descendant.  However, their hatred towards Joseph ended up leading to their families being saved during the famine in Canaan, because they sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt, and God blessed him to overcome many trials and become second in command to Pharaoh. Finally, when he and his brothers were reconciled, Joseph explained what they did in this way; But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20)

Many years later when the children of Israel were no longer welcomed in Egypt, Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (Exodus 1:8) They were treated as slaves, but God allowed one of their own to be raised in the house of Pharaoh, Moses, and after many years of their suffering, God spoke to him, “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey,... Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:7-10)

We all know the story of the plagues that God sent to Egypt, until finally Pharaoh let them go.  But once in the wilderness, traveling to the promised land, and witnessing all the miracles God had performed to take care of them and provide for them, the children of Israel still became disobedient and began to worship a false god, a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:4) They angered God to the point that He told Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” (Exodus 32:7-10)

Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” [Geneis 13:15, 22:7] So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. (Exodus 32:11-14)

God did not destroy the children of Israel.  Why?  Moses explained it to the children of Israel, “Thus I prostrated myself before the Lord; forty days and forty nights I kept prostrating myself, because the Lord had said He would destroy you. Therefore I prayed to the Lord, and said: ‘O Lord God, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look on the stubbornness of this people, or on their wickedness or their sin, lest the land from which You brought us should say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring them to the land which He promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.” Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm.’ (Deuteronomy 9:25-29)

From then to the present, God has kept a remnant of the children of Israel according to the election of grace, even when prophets who followed Moses, such as Elijah, pleaded with God against Israel.  God has kept a remnant, not because of the works they've done, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; (Romans 9:4) But He has kept them because He made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (aka Israel), of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. (Romans 9:5)

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” [Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10] And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always.” [Psalm 69:22-23] (Romans 11:7-10) 

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Romans 11:11-12) God has used history to teach the children of Israel that they are preserved because they are His chosen people, but they are not His only elect people.  One day, they will come to understand why God "...blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” [Isaiah 6:10] (John 12:40)

We will continue this study with more about the importance of the children of Israel...