There is no arrogance in grace!

Romans 11:11-24 is a continuation of Paul’s discourse concerning the relationship of Jews and Gentile Christians. It is interesting that Paul noted arrogance on the part of Gentile believers. Some believed that God judged the nation of Israel so Gentiles could receive God’s blessing. That sounds like an arrogant thought concerning our great God.

How could Christians in the time of Paul be so self-centered? Well, I fear that hasn’t changed for many Christians today. Too often, we have the genie concept of God. Rub the lamp and God will meet all of my needs since I am the center of His universe. Douglas Moo declares, It is the egotism of Gentile Christians who present God’s manifold plan as having the salvation of themselves as its focus that Paul wishes to expose and criticize.

Arrogance is not compatible with grace. All we have received or ever will receive is unmerited. He loves us dearly as He so well-proved at the cross. He works all things together for good for those who seek Him by faith. Don’t make the mistake of adding arrogance to grace.

Study Romans 11:11-24 at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. Time spent understanding grace and rejecting arrogance, is time well-spent.

The Beauty of Grace

The nation of Israel had a zeal for God that was misdirected. They attempted to gain the righteousness of God by works but God has always called people to Himself by faith. As Christians, we may read Romans 11 and feel sorrow for the misdirected nation of Israel. I encourage you to study this passage with an eye on yourself.

After many years of ministry, I believe too many Christians are seeking God by doing, by working, by striving to gain favor with God. How refreshing it is to come to the place where you realize that favor with God comes by means of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus declared in Matthew 11:29-30, Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

It is easy to jump onto the treadmill of works. The world is about doing more, being more productive, excelling at all costs. The nation of Israel missed the mark not by not doing enough but by trying to do too much, replacing grace with works. Don’t make that mistake. God does not need us. He wants us. He does not need my work. He wants my heart.

Study Romans 11:1-10 at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. Despite Israel’s failure as a nation to earn the righteousness of God, there is always a remnant who sticks to God’s plan of grace. May that be true for you and me.

A Testimony of God’s Faithfulness!

It is easy to think that knowledge of truth is sufficient. The more we hear the Gospel, the more comfortable we are with it. I encourage you to consider the Gospel as something that is not comfortable. The purpose of the Gospel is to change us from the inside out. Grant Osborne gives a good reminder that hearing the Gospel demands more than our ears, it demand our hearts, We have not truly heard until we respond and begin living the truth of the message. This is especially the case with the gospel.

Romans 10:14-21 is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to the unfaithful nation of Israel. His grace is greater than their sin. He continually calls them to Himself and one day they will turn to Him and receive Jesus as Messiah. Also, this passage is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to those of us in the church. Paul cites Isaiah 65:1 in Romans 10:20, I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me. God is calling us to Himself again and again. Knowledge of God is not sufficient, only knowing Him as Savior and Lord will do.

Take a look at Romans 10:14-21 at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. The importance of knowing Him is eternally better than just knowing about Him.