A Study on the Book of Romans.

Romans Chapter 11: The Depth and Riches of God’s Wisdom.

Then has God cast away His people? Certainly not! Paul himself being of the seed of Abraham. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.

God has always kept a remnant and gives an example of Elijah: When all of Israel was mislead by Ahab, and the prophets of the Lord were being killed: God has kept for himself 7000 who have not bowed to Baal. The same principle is at work now, that there are remnant kept according to the election of grace. [It is of grace that it might be of faith.]

If the election is of grace, then it is not of works. The elect obtained it [because they responded in faith] but the rest failed to obtain what they sought, they were blinded: 

seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3

Then have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly Not! But through their fall to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the gentiles. [It is through their refusal- the offer has gone out.]

Jesus parable of the banquet: where The master of the house has prepared a banquet and has sent out invitation to the people of the land. However each gave excuses why they were not able to attend. At this he turned and ordered his servants to go out to the street, the lanes and to invite the poor and the maimed, the lame and the blind and further sent his servants to the highways and hedges to compel them to come to the feast. Luke 14:16-24

The concept being: though they stumbled in faith,  in order to entice them back, salvation was granted to the Gentiles. That is the salvation through faith. That they themselves may see and believe. 

If their fall is riches to the world and their failure riches to the Gentiles, How much more their fullness!  For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 

Warning to the Gentiles: The root is holy so are the branches: – some of the branches were broken off due to unbelief and Gentiles who were wild are grafted in. That is is not a cause for boasting but a warning to continue in faith. “If God did not spare the natural branches because of unbelief, He may not spare you either.

Consider Gods goodness and severity: Severity towards those who fell in unbelief and goodness to those who continue in His goodness, that is in faith.

If gentiles who have never sought the righteousness of God, found mercy from God and were included into the blessing of God through faith, how much more will those who were cultivated by God throughout the ages be easily grafted back into their own inheritance. 

The mystery at work: Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved. [the final ripping will be of Israel.] That Israel is at enmity with the Gospel for the sake of the Gentiles, 

but concerning election they are beloved for the sake of their fathers. For the gift and calling of God are irrevocable. 

In Christ both Jew and Gentile are brought to be one and there is no difference. However, apart from the cross Israel is the beloved of the Lord for the sake of their fathers, to whom the promises are made. They are a chosen of God: and that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. When speaking of the Gentiles He says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me.” And of Israel He says “All day long I have held out My hand.”

Now- the righteousness of God is revealed apart from the Law through faith in Jesus Christ. Israel stumbled on the stumbling stone, who is Jesus. In continuing seeking righteousness through the works of the law. Now, Gentiles who were disobedient to God, have obtained mercy through Israel’s disobedience. That they also are now consigned to disobedience that they also may receive mercy through the mercy shown to the Gentiles. 

That God has consigned all to disobedience [even the disobedience in the law] that He may have mercy on all. That salvation may be through faith alone, in Jesus: that it maybe of the grace of God and not of any works of man. 

That is the depth and riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge. How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 

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