Romans 11:29–32

JESUS is unmerited, undeserved grace!

But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22 

Christ did not do away with what was written. Rather, He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets by perfectly obeying them and revealing all that pointed to Him. (Matthew 5:17) This included not just predictions of a saving Messiah (John 4:25) but also the sacrificial system. (Ephesians 5:2;  Hebrews 10:12-14) No longer is this system needed because Christ's ultimate sacrifice of His life to purchase our salvation has clarified and completed the entire intent of the Old Testament. Sin is not judged on a sliding scale. Instead, it is an issue of the heart, and only Christ has a heart pure enough to be acceptable before a holy God.

Today, let's be careful to remember there is nothing we can do on our own to become holy. Our salvation is based on Jesus alone, turning to Him and trusting that His atoning death paved the way for us to enjoy eternity with God in heaven. (Acts 4:12;  Ephesians 2:8-9) First 5

To sit still is to practice Sabbath—meaning literally, to quit.
To stop.
To take a break.
To make uncluttered time.
It’s all about what we can notice—and see—when we slow down and let the silence descend. It’s the permission to pay attention. To be here now. 

Sabbath Moments 

Lord, help me
to live this day quietly, peacefully.
To lean upon
Thy great strength trustfully, restfully.
To wait for
the unfolding of Thy will patiently, serenely.
To meet others peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow confidently, courageously.
Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi

It took Paul decades to discover what he wrote in only one sentence. Romans 3:28, “A person is made right with God through faith.” Not through good works, suffering, or study. Just faith. Max Lucado

Grace, blessed grace! 

Romans 11:29–32

28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. The New King James Version

Paul has s addressed the problem of the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as Messiah and the implications of that rejection for salvation. Paul now emphatically insists that, while Israel may have rejected God’s gift of salvation in Christ, God has not rejected Israel in return. Despite present appearances, Israel still plays a role in God’s plan of salvation, and His promises to Israel have not been invalidated.

God allowed unfaithfulness—to which He responds in mercy. Faithlife Study Bible

The Jews are enemies in that they reject the gospel. For the sake of the fathers refers to the promises God made to the patriarchs. Irrevocable means “not to repent.” God does not change His mind. He made promises to the patriarchs and He will fulfill them. The NKJV Study Bible

True grace seeks not to confine God’s favour. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavour that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.