So in 2021, where do the Jewish people fit into the equation? I am asked all the time. What happens to them if they are the “chosen” people (and they are)?
Paul confirms that Israel has rejected faith in Christ for the most part. So has God totally rejected them? We need to be careful not to boast and assume God has written them off. Or, as Paul states it, “By no means”! After all, Paul himself is an Israelite who has come to faith in Christ and has been saved, showing that it is possible for all Jewish people. Paul refers to Jewish people who have turned to Christ as a “remnant,” comparing them to the “remnant” of those in Israel who had not bowed to Baal in Elijah’s day.
As I was reading today, I came across one of my all-time favorite scriptures in the whole Bible. Unfortunately, because of my legalistic upbringing (which was so theologically polluted), this is now a scripture I cling to:
6 And if by Grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, Grace would no longer be Grace.
Grace is Grace. We don’t get God’s Grace and mix in “a little” works. Believe and….
If you add anything to those 3 dots…then Grace wasn’t enough?? Grace IS Enough.
So why did God:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”
For the same reason, He hardened Pharoah’s heart. To open the door. If the Jewish people had accepted Christ, He would be the Savior to the Jews. Instead, making Jesus a stumbling block, it opened the door for both JEWS and GENTILES.
So we can confidently say, Gentiles were grafted into God’s plan of Salvation. Here is a visual of “grafting.”
The main branch may be cut off, but the roots remain alive. The new branch is attached to it, and it grows and produces fruit.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
❤️❤️❤️
So what is the plan for the Jews if they were cut off and we were grafted in??
23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
God has a plan to bring back the nation, the natural branches. 😁. The door is open right now for the Gentiles. BUT there is a number of people that will be saved, and when we hit that number (it could be today), He will reveal Himself to the nation again.
Is that crystal clear or clear as mud?
Your Bible might say “Doxology” this means it was either chanted or sang 🎶🎵🎶
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 1—11 focused on the doctrine of Salvation by God’s Grace and through our faith in Jesus. Knowing this, HOW then should those saved by God’s Grace live today? Many people live life because they assume “We are not under the law, God forgives us,”….as if that is a hall pass to live any way we want. Ummm, no. Romans 12 begins to answer that question of how we are to live.
- offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—(die to self)
- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rachel’s favorite scripture, I think…she said it to me all the time trying to break me free)
- Humble yourself and serve in the body of believers according to the gifts he has given you. (Yes, serve!)
- Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
- Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another ABOVE yourselves.
- Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. (Look around)
- Practice hospitality. (But I don’t like people in my house?)
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Ummm, that’s hard!)
- Live in harmony with one another.
- Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. (we need to teach this to teens)
- Do not be conceited.
- Do not repay anyone evil for evil. (what? I called it sibling rivalry growing up 😂)
- Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. (Christians live in glass houses)
- Do not take revenge
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Doesn’t look like a “hall pass” to me.
Chapter 13…a topic we have had great discussions about this year.
I literally just deleted my whole paragraph on purpose. I will just let chapter 13 fall on you without a word from me. It is that good!
Reading the Bible - 2021 
I just wanted to thank you. As we come to the end of the year it has been awesome staying in the word everyday. I love the 5 page list of dates you sent us at the start of the year. Everyday I highlight (cross off) the date when I’m done reading. With Gods grace I have stayed with it. So many things were made clear to me. People, places and how God wants us to live. Lots I still don’t understand. But I now have a longing for something that wasn’t there before. I’m 65 years old this is my first time doing a read through of the Bible. What a blessing! In this time with you, a habit has been made. All your hard work is greatly appreciated.I will never forget this special time. Thank you again. May God bless you and your family
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I read this comment yesterday and I could not get through it without tears in my eyes. I don’t know why a year’s read-through is so difficult for us, but it is. It proves how strong our worldly desires are and how weak our flesh is. There are days I think back “I spent more time on Netflix, Tik Tok, or Candy Crush than I did in prayer or reading. To be transparent, if I made a pie chart and logged that time it would sadden me. Patty, I am not far behind you, I am going to be 49 soon but I was raised 1/2 Catholic 1/2 Atheist. This blog is not my testimony but God’s Testimony in me. I did not have a desire to be a Christian (I was perfectly happy). When I read a scripture about being a new creation I probably know the difference more than people who were raised Christian because I can describe the difference between Happiness and Joy. I can feel the difference between wanting something and Him creating a desire in my heart.
Alls (Yes that is how I talk because I have a NJ accent)…. Alls I know is that when I make a habit of reading each day I truly am a different person because there is less of me and more of Him. I know we have never met, but I do feel the fellowship of those that did comment, text, or read through with me. I appreciate more than you know the comments this year. I have skipped MANY scriptures because I still struggle with understanding so much of it! As I study, I know God will reveal what He wants revealing.
Thank you again for your kindness and prayers this year. We still have a lot to read and it is going be amazing!
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