Romans 11: 25 – 36 Freedom to Choose
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written,
“Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “And this is my covenant with them,
when I take away their sins.”
28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him,
to receive a gift in return?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
What the passage says
V. 25-27, The hardening heart of the Israelites, is for God to open the door of salvation to all Gentile
V. 28-32 We have to look at God’s bigger plan. The paradox that defines our salvation is that ‘death brings life.’ The disobedience of the Israelites brought salvation to the Gentiles. “But then the Jews slammed the door on him, and things opened up for you. Now they [Israelites] are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in” (v. 30-31 The Message).
V. 33-36 The extravagant generosity can grace comes from God. And God does what God needs to do.
What does the passage say to me/us?
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen” (v. 36 NRSV).
We tend to think about the world, by putting us in the center. We, as humans, are precious. We are precious that God was willing to sacrifice on our behalf. However, this does not make us the center of the universe. God is the center of the universe, and we are made to worship that Lord.
So many times, we forget the authority God has. From God and through God all things are made and done. We are invited to be part of God’s work. However, doesn’t mean that we have done it.
Whatever we have, or achieved, it is through God. I am thankful, to be reminded once more about my Lord and savior.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for all you are doing in my life. I come to you once more. Use me for your glory.
In Christ, AMEN.
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