April 16, 2024
Salvation
Reading
Romans 11:25-32 - Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob'; 'and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.' As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Summary
In Romans 11:25-32, Paul reveals a profound mystery about God's plan of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. He explains that a partial hardening has come upon Israel, allowing the fullness of the Gentiles to come to salvation. However, this is not the end of the story for Israel. Paul assures us that God has not forgotten His chosen people and that He will fulfill His covenant with them. The Deliverer, Jesus Christ, will come from Zion and banish ungodliness from Jacob, taking away their sins.
Paul emphasizes that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. Even though Israel has been disobedient, God's love for them remains steadfast because of His promises to their forefathers. In the same way, Gentiles who were once disobedient have now received mercy because of Israel's disobedience. This demonstrates the incredible depth of God's wisdom and the intricacy of His plan.
Ultimately, God has consigned all people, both Jews and Gentiles, to disobedience so that He may have mercy on all. This reveals the universal nature of God's salvation and His desire for all people to come to repentance and faith in Christ. The hardening of Israel is not permanent, and God will graft them back into His olive tree. This passage offers hope for the future restoration of Israel and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Reflection
The mystery of God's plan for salvation, as revealed in Romans 11:25-32, is a source of great encouragement and hope for all believers. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all things and that His purposes will be accomplished, even when we cannot fully understand them.
As Gentile believers, we should be humbled by the realization that our salvation is not due to our own merits, but rather to God's mercy and grace. We were once disobedient and separated from God, but through faith in Christ, we have been grafted into His family. This should lead us to a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to live lives that honor and glorify Him.
At the same time, we must not become proud or dismissive of Israel's place in God's plan. God's covenant with them is irrevocable, and He will fulfill His promises to them. We should have a heart of compassion for the Jewish people and pray for their salvation, knowing that God desires all people to come to repentance.
This passage also highlights the importance of humility and reverence before God. We must not be wise in our own sight or presume to understand the depths of God's wisdom and knowledge. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We must trust in His goodness and faithfulness, even when we cannot see the full picture.
As we reflect on the mystery of God's plan for salvation, we should be filled with hope and anticipation for the future. We know that God is working all things together for His glory and for the good of those who love Him. We can trust that He will complete the work He has begun in us and in the world.
May this passage inspire us to live lives of faith, humility, and obedience to God. May we be filled with gratitude for His mercy and grace, and may we share the good news of salvation with all those around us. Let us look forward with hope to the day when all Israel will be saved and when people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship before the throne of God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today in awe of Your wisdom, knowledge, and sovereignty. We thank You for the mystery of Your plan for salvation, which You have revealed to us in Your Word. We are humbled by the realization that our salvation is not due to our own merits, but rather to Your mercy and grace.
We pray for the Jewish people, Your chosen people, and ask that You would remove the hardening from their hearts and open their eyes to the truth of the gospel. We know that Your covenant with them is irrevocable, and we trust in Your faithfulness to fulfill Your promises to them.
We also pray for ourselves, that we would not become proud or dismissive of others, but rather that we would have a heart of compassion and love for all people. Help us to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness, even when we cannot see the full picture.
May we live lives of faith, humility, and obedience to You. Fill us with gratitude for Your mercy and grace, and give us boldness to share the good news of salvation with all those around us.
We look forward with hope to the day when all Israel will be saved and when people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship before Your throne.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
Generated Image(s)
Behold the mystery unveiled -
God's plan for Jew and Gentile.
This image was generated by AI from the devotion text.