28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Tori's Comments:
"For God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn."
I am confused as to what is being referred to. The gift of salvation?
Terrie's Comments:
Everything comes from God
Everything Exists by His Power
Everything is intended for His glory...
How often do I act like everything was made for my purposes and my pleasure? I come from God, I exist only by His power, and I am intended to glorify Him. That is my purpose... How am I doing on that?
Tori:
Since he is talking about God's gifts and call to Abraham Isaac and Jacob I don't think it would be the gift of salvation specifically. I think it is a general reference to all of God's gifts and his callings to His people.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
I have always wondered at how the Gentiles (which would be me also,) felt when they knew God's chosen people were the Jews yet they denied Him as Christ. Just goes to show with God anything is possible and it is he who works in the inner hearts of others, we merely are his hands planting his seeds. Would I have felt bitter if I lived in a time before Christ knowing I was considered a heathen? Just my own pondering, going down a rabbit hole...
ReplyDeleteVerse 32 clarifies he has always had a way out and salvation planned for everyone who chooses him :)
Terrie you quite often have similar thoughts to me. Lol I don't mind repeating. Everything comes from God, exists by His His power and is intended for His glory. Is my life being lived out for my own desires or for God's glory?
ReplyDeleteI am excited to see you commenting Amber!!
Through Hebrews and Romans it is becoming very clear that everyone throughout all of history has been saved through faith alone. Even in the Old Testament Rahab was saved through her faith in the Israelite's keeping their promise to her to keep her safe. I have no doubt that her faith saved her eternally as well. If she didn't have faith in God she would not have hid the spies because she believed that God was on their side.
ReplyDeleteTerrie