Romans 11:17-21

Passage

And if some of the branches were being broken off, you were a wild olive tree as you were being grafted in it, and you became a sharer of the valuable root – do not boast against the branches.  But if you boast against it, remember you do not provide continuous support to the root but the root provides continuous support for you.  Therefore you will say, “Branches were being broken off in order that I should be graft in.”  You rightly speak.  For unbelief they were being broken off, but you stand by faith.  Do not have an arrogant attitude but be afraid.  For if God did not spare the branches according to their nature, neither will he spare you.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul then turns to the Gentiles and reasserts his theme.  Branches were broken off.  Gentiles are being grafted in.  Yet it is not our worth that brings us to be grafted in.  Paul tells us that it is by faith that we are grafted in.  Jesus Christ was faithful.  Through Him we can be grafted in although we do not deserve it.  We have absolutely no reason to be arrogant.  It is by grace through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ that we are being grafted in and by no other reason.

Are you a part of God’s righteous tree?  How do you know?  Why are you there?  How do you treat people who might not be a part of God’s righteous tree?

Second Thought:

Paul tells us the reason that branches are broken.  Branches are broken because they are unfaithful.  They are not willing to abide by God’s patterns.  I’m not talking about perfection and sin, here.  We all sin.  None of us are perfect.  If being sin-free and perfect was a requirement, who among us would be saved.  Rather, Paul is talking about living a life of faithful and humble repentance before God.  Those who humble themselves before the Father – as Jesus Himself did – those are the faithful who are grafted into God’s righteous tree.

Does it scare you to think that God breaks off branches from His tree?  Does it scare you to consider why?  How are motive to live a life of faithfulness?

Third Thought:

Paul is then very blunt with us Gentiles.  If we are grafted in and don’t technically belong there in the first place, what reason do we have to think that we’ll remain if we stop being faithful?  Paul is serious when he writes these words.  Yes, God is a God of grace and mercy.  He is a God of love.  But He has expectations.  He establishes covenants.  If we live a life of unfaithfulness – regardless of what our lips confess – God will break us off and graft in someone in our place!

Do we have any reason to boast?  Do we have any reason to feel entitled?  How do passages like this help to increase your gratitude towards God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 11:22-24