photo #9334985

1. I say then, Hath God cast away his people?Romans 11:1; KJV. Paul turns his attention to Israel. Many say the Jews murdered Christ, and God has rejected them. Paul confessed that he is a Jew, that he persecuted the Church unto death, yet Jesus appeared to him, saved him, and appointed duties for him to do in the name of Jesus. Israel rejected the Gospel, and it was offered to the Gentile nations, who received it in faith. God allowed the Gentiles to be saved, to bring Israel to a point that they wanted what the Gentiles had. Were the Gentiles better, or more worthy? No. Israel is God's chosen; they are the root. We Gentiles are a wild olive branch being grafted into the original tree. And those of Israel, if they seek Christ, seeing they are from the original tree, will attach ever so quickly to that tree of life. The lesson: God keeps His promises. Salvation is by grace, not works, it cannot be bought or bargained for, just received. Israel's story isn't over; God still has plans for them. God's plan is so much bigger than we can see. God will work through failure to success, through darkness into light, through destruction into restoration, from death into eternal life. Amen and Amen.