So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by
grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise
grace would no longer be grace -Romans 11: 5-6.
.jpg) |
| Photo by Pexels.com |
Israel's Rejection Is Not Final
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!
I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of
Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know
what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3
"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I
alone am left, and they are seeking my life." 4 But what is the divine
reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed
the knee to Baal." 5 So too at the present time there is a
remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis
of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking.
The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written "God
gave them a sluggish spirit, eyes that would not see and ears that would not
hear, down to this very day."9 And David says, "Let their table
become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them,10 let
their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and keep their backs forever
bent."
Reflecting on my own Christian journey, and the passage
from Romans 11:1-10, focus verses 5-6. I realized that for
many years after my salvation in 2005, I was trapped under the yoke of the Law.
I believed in the insidious lies of the evil one who would accuse me in the
depth of my heart: "You're so sinful that you don't deserve to be
a child of God". I lived in fear of losing my salvation because of
some unconfessed sin, until after I had a conversion experience in a retreat
held in the Catholic Spirituality Centre about 2 years ago. There I was finally
set free, when the LORD reminded of how much He had loved me. He showed me
through His Holy Wounds, the terrible, terrible Price He had paid with His own
Blood to redeem me from my sins and adopt me as His child. These days, whenever
I feel troubled by a sinful thought or did something out of anger or spite, I
would quickly seek reconciliation with God. Because He loves me too much to
allow me to be caught in the miry clay of my sins.
I close my short reflection with this hymn by Stuart
Townend:
How Deep the Father's Love For Us
Verse 1
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Verse 2
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
Verse 3
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
***************************************
Youtube: https://youtu.be/A0CDqG5STPM?si=Sqqkhg7I5lGZD9Ha
Stuart Townend Copyright © 1995 Thankyou Music (Adm. by
CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part
of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com)
Reflection on Romans 11:1-10 by Chris
.jpg)
.jpg)