Romans - Week 25

Israel Rejected?

READ

Romans 11:1

I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

Today there are those who think God is finished with His program for Israel. That was not the apostle Paul’s opinion. Writing by the inspiration of God, he exclaimed, “Of course not!” The fact that he himself was a Jew who had been saved proves God still works with Jewish people. Paul traces his ancestral line—an Israelite, descended from Abraham, and of the tribe of Benjamin.

REFLECT

Even though you may not understand all the details, thank God that He works with all people.

RESPOND

Remind your disciple that these three chapters—Romans 9, 10, 11—show God is not finished with the Jewish nation. Pray for those who are actively reaching out to the Jewish people to present the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Only One Left

READ

Romans 11:2-3

  2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

Paul continues with reasons to show God has not rejected the Jewish people. He used the example of the Old Testament prophet Elijah who thought he was really the only one who was serving God. In addition, Elijah was so discouraged he thought God’s only witness would be lost because they were trying to kill him. To his surprise, he would learn there were many believers.

REFLECT

Do you sometimes feel that you are the only one who really cares about God and spiritual values? This is called “An Elijah complex.” Paul goes on in the following verses to show what God told Elijah.

RESPOND

There are many ministries today that are sharing the good news of the Lord Jesus. You are connected to one of them now as you read this material. Thank the Lord for what you are able to access and for other ministries as well. Your local church also needs your support and prayers.

The Faithful Remnant

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Romans 11:4-5

  4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!” 5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.

This is God’s reply to Elijah who thought he was the only one left who served the Lord. In Elijah’s time there were 7,000 who had refused to worship the Canaanite god Baal. In Paul’s time, he reminded people God had a remnant of Israelites who were faithful to God because of His grace. Then Paul tells what he means by “grace”—God’s undeserved kindness in choosing them.

REFLECT

Although you are aware of unbelievers who make up the masses of humanity, thank the Lord for His faithful ones because of God’s grace.

RESPOND

Read Acts 20:23-25 that tells about the apostle Paul’s desire to finish the work God had given to him to do—telling others the wonderful news of the grace of God.

God's Kindness

READ

Romans 11:6

  6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

This is an excellent verse to use in showing others the difference between good works and God’s grace. If salvation comes to one because of God’s grace then it is entirely apart from good works. One may do good works to thank God for His grace, but one can never do enough good works to become right with God in the first place. All religious groups can be divided into two main groups: one that believes people are saved by doing good works; and the other that realizes salvation comes only by the grace of God.

REFLECT

Think on how you can use this verse to show others salvation is possible only by God’s grace and not by means of good works.

RESPOND

Read Ephesians 2:8-10. Notice that verses 8 and 9 reveal one is saved apart from good works. Then verse 10 reveals where good works become important—after salvation.

Spiritually Blind

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Romans 11:7-8

  7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”

Paul gives his conclusion in these verses. Most people were trying to get right with God by means of good works—keeping the Old Testament law in their case. Even though God revealed Himself to the nation, many seemed asleep to the message. Their ancestor Abraham had become right with God by “believing” in Him, not by good works (see Genesis 15:6). Now, Paul wrote that the majority of the nation cannot spiritually see nor hear God’s message to them.

REFLECT

Have you witnessed to some who seem to listen but seem to make no movement toward believing the gospel you present? Pray that their eyes and ears might be opened.

RESPOND

Paul gives the reason that many don’t respond to the presentation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. Read 2 Corinthians 4:4 for his explanation.