Passage
On one hand they are enemies to the Gospel for your sake,
but on the other hand they are beloved for the sake of their fathers according
to being chosen. For the gifts and the
calling of God are irrevocable. For just
as you all were formerly disobedient to God but now you all were being shown
mercy by their disobedience, therefore these ones were now disobedient for your
mercy in order that they all should now be shown mercy. For God enclosed all into disobedience in
order that He should show mercy to all.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Paul reminds us about the split personality of the Hebrew
people. On one hand, they have rejected
the Gospel of Jesus Christ and therefore are enemies to it. Yet, they are the people of Abraham, David,
and the prophets and are thus beloved by God.
What this shows us is actually an incredible nature of God. He loves each of us because of His character,
not because of our righteousness. Just
because we do something that does not align with His will does not mean He
ceases to love us. Even should our
actions force Him to judge us in condemnation it does not imply that He ceases
to love us.
How can this passage help us to understand God’s
unconditional love? For what reason does
God love you?
Second Thought:
Paul then pulls out a neat concept. Their disobedience meant we got a chance to
hear the Gospel and to find salvation in God.
God came to us through them. Now,
Paul indicates that they will soon return to Him through us. One day the Hebrew people will see Jesus as
the Messiah; that day will come through the grace that has been continued in
us. God is truly working so that all who
humbly come before Him can be saved.
Do you see how big God’s plan seems to be? How do you think God can work through you to
help accomplish His overall plan of salvation?
Third Thought:
The last sentence in this section truly shows the character
of God. He knows we are all
disobedient. He knows each and every one
of us will pursue our own will. Yet, He
does not abandon us. He does not let us
walk away into the consequences of our choices.
He continues to walk beside us even when we desire to abandon Him. He is always looking for a way to demonstrate
His mercy.
Do you think you can show mercy to the disobedient as God
does? Do you think you are capable of
loving people so much you desire them to see mercy regardless of their
disobedience?
Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 11:33-36
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