Romans 11:1-6
Introduction
To stay committed to the journey, it is crucial to remember that God’s pursuit of us is unwavering and relentless. His commitment to us is a profound example of how we should remain dedicated and engaged, no matter our obstacles. At times, it can be challenging not to want to give up on God’s plan and people, especially when we are facing opposition. This passage challenges us to reflect on our understanding of God’s character and intentions, urging us to recognize the inherent value of God’s people and the power of His grace. God’s relentless pursuit of people reminds us to remain dedicated to the journey. He expects us to stay engaged & persevere. He will provide rest & renewal along the way.
Knowing Our Value (Ro. 11:1)
• In Romans 11:1, Paul poses a profound question: “I ask, then, has God rejected his people?”
• Paul is trying to provoke the readers to think about God’s motive. He doesn’t want to leave any room to misunderstand God’s character or intention for His people. If Israel’s rejection of the gospel was consistent with God’s eternal plan (Ro. 9:1-29) and Israel’s own choosing (Ro. 9:30-10:21), then does this mean that Israel’s fate is settled, and there is no possibility of restoration?
• He immediately answers, “By no means!”
• Paul processes his question through the knowledge he possesses. Paul’s faith in Jesus proved there were some Jews who embraced the gospel.
• Whenever we want evidence of God’s work, we should first look to our own life. This is what Paul did and what we should do.
• Paul’s fellow Jews persecuted Him. He was cast out. They no longer considered Him a faithful Jew, but Paul’s value wasn’t found in his family, what others said about him, or the lies they told. He knew who he was. He was a child of God. He had been saved, redeemed, and set free.
• God does not cast away His people, even when they seem to have rejected Him.
• God’s enduring love and faithfulness extends even to those who stray or make mistakes. Despite our flaws and failures, we are not cast aside.
• This verse is a powerful reminder of our inherent worth and God’s unwavering commitment toward us. God’s grace and mercy continually affirm our value as His chosen people.
• Romans 11:1 provides a message of hope and encouragement, reminding us that God’s love and grace are always available even when we feel we’ve been rejected or forgotten. It’s a reminder that we are valuable in God’s eyes, regardless of our circumstances or failures.
Addressing Attitudes (Ro.11:2-4)
• Paul refers to a conversation Elijah had with God. Paul probably felt a connection with Elijah. They were both persecuted and felt the effects of God’s chosen people rejecting them and God.
• It would be easy to see why a person might give up on people when they have become tired, discouraged, and frustrated. Paul refers to Elijah’s prayer against the Israelites, which he quotes in this passage, and God’s response.
• Elijah was tired, scared, and wanted to be done. He probably would have stayed in the cave if God hadn’t come to him. Elijah was convinced he was all that was left. He was done with God’s people and wanted God to be done, too. He was offended on God’s behalf, and in his humanity, he was ready to write them all off.
• Elijah had been on quite a journey and faced a huge spiritual battle. Spiritual warfare is exhausting. Even when God wins, there is a physical and emotional price to pay:
The situation may seem hopeless, worse than it really is
We can feel isolated and all alone.
We can become self-righteous: I’m the only faithful one left.
• We have a small part to play in the process. Yes, we must do what God tells us, but it is not up to us to win God’s battles. God is the One who wins hearts. We are merely His helpers.
• For this reason, we need Him to carry us even while He’s reaching out to those we are contending for.
• Finding rest in God is so critical to having the right attitude and heart posture for the lost, especially the ones we are closest to.
• When we love someone who is resisting God, the waiting can seem intolerable. We wrestle with feelings of fear, loneliness, anger, and betrayal.
• Over time, doubt can grow. We may even question whether God has heard us or is at work because we see no change or may become angry at God.
• But God is at work, just as He has continued to keep His promise to the Israelites. He will not give up now and Asks us to remain dedicated to the journey.
• We must draw close to God in these times and allow Him to guide our hearts and minds, not the current circumstances. This is our responsibility to remain committed to the journey.
We do this through worshiping Him
We do this through Prayer
We do this through reading His Word.
Power of Grace (Ro.11:5-6)
• By definition, Grace is the free gift of God, not given with an eye to performance or potential in the one receiving but given only out of kindness in the giver.
• Even amid Israel’s general unbelief, God has chosen to invest His grace in the remnant, a small group, if they are willing to receive it.
• If God’s choice of the remnant is based on grace, then it cannot be based on any works or merits of the people being chosen. If it were based on works, grace would cease to be grace, as it would become something earned, not freely given.
• Do we believe God will do what He says?
• God is the one who is ordaining, working out, and ensuring the completion of his plan (Ro. 8:28–30). Or is it man?
• Paul never stops preaching about grace. He mentions it 86 times in his letters, 21 times in Romans. Grace is powerful.
• Grace is modeled in the act of love. It is God’s kindness of Love displayed in Grace.
• This was contrary to everything he had learned and practiced up to that point in his life, yet he found that it was consistent with how God had always acted, even in the Old Testament.
• Paul’s mention of grace in salvation in Romans can help us understand what he is saying in Romans 11:5–6:
Paul, a Jew, has received grace from God personally (Ro.1:5).
The promise comes by faith so that it may be by grace and be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring (Ro. 4:16).
Those who have received salvation stand in grace (Ro. 5:2).
It was God’s grace that overcame the sin of Adam and provided redemption for the human race through Christ (Ro. 5:15, 17).
No human sin is so grievous that it has not been overcome by God’s grace (Ro. 5:20).
God’s grace is the guiding element in salvation. Grace, not sin, is reigning and will ultimately reign (Ro.5:21).
• Paul’s emphasis on grace reminds us that salvation is of God. Human beings, being dead in sin, can do nothing to initiate and produce their own salvation or someone else’s.
Conclusion
God’s relentless pursuit of people reminds us to remain dedicated to the journey. He expects us to stay engaged & persevere. He will provide rest & renewal along the way. Grace overcomes all sin and confirms that salvation is entirely God’s doing. Grace reigns supreme, promising ultimate victory, and calls us to rely entirely on God’s mercy and love, standing firm in the peace it brings. We must stay committed to the journey and allow God to be the One who pursues hearts. We first model a miraculous work in our own lives by Knowing our Values, Addressing our Attitudes, and operating in The Power of Grace. We will see our families, communities, and workplace impacted by our commitment to the journey with God.
Discussion Questions
- How does Paul’s strong assertion that God has not rejected His people challenge our own perceptions of God’s faithfulness, especially during difficult times__?
- In what ways can we relate to Elijah’s feelings of isolation and discouragement, and how might God be calling us to persevere in our own spiritual journeys__?
- How does understanding our inherent value as God’s chosen people impact our approach to serving Him and others, even when faced with rejection or opposition__?