Scripture to Read: Romans 11:1–6
A reminder, God finished Romans 10 with a loving rebuke for the nation of Israel in Romans 10:18–21. This helps us understand the opening question in Romans 11:1. God had Paul ask, “I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He?” God had Paul write this question knowing how our fleshly nature often goes to the extreme negative when we have been lovingly rebuked. Undoubtedly, after God had lovingly rebuked the nation of Israel, people thought, “God is finished with Israel, and now He is only going to save Gentiles from their sin.” Consider when you have been lovingly rebuked for your disobedience. Once you were rebuked, your fleshly mindset began to run wild, only to think God has cast you aside, everyone thinks the worst of you, there’s no room for forgiveness for you, you are a worthless sinner, etc., etc., etc. Of course, God had Paul answer in Romans 11:1–2, “May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” To make sure there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that God was not casting aside the nation of Israel, God had Paul use Elijah (in Romans 11:2–4) as a reminder of God’s grace towards Israel. Then God had Paul write, in Romans 11:5–6, that “there has also come to be at the present time a remnant.” God chose Israel and us through His miraculous grace, not according to our works, “otherwise grace is no longer grace."
Challenge & Application
How do you usually respond to a loving rebuke, and what lies have you accepted over God’s Truth about you?
How would you explain God’s grace to someone struggling with understanding God’s love for them?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!