Romans 11:33-36
33Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! 34For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? 35And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? 36For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.
The end of verse 33 pretty much sums up this 11th chapter of Romans for me…”How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!” I have spent countless hours dissecting this chapter and still do not understand all of the information well enough to share in an eloquent way! I have learned much history about Israel, the Jews, and God’s plans. But, I have So Much More to learn!! This is a chapter I would have skimmed over in the past. But, because I have been assigned this chapter today, I had to really seek what there is for me to take from it and share with you.
Here is my VERY simplified version of what happened here:
God has chosen Israel to be His chosen people. Paul used this chapter of Romans to present proof that God is not through with Israel. The Israelites rejected God and their hearts were hardened. Because they closed the door on the Messiah, the door was opened to us, the Gentiles. There are many theories out there as to how many of the Jews will be “saved” in the end times, and I will leave you to do your studying and come to that conclusion on your own…
BUT here is the crux of this chapter…it does not matter if you are JEW or GENTILE, what background you have, what family you come from, what traditions you hold, what kind of person you are, if you are a rule follower, if you have made the worst decisions ever, if you have made the best decisions always…there is only ONE way to salvation! It is through GRACE alone. It is through A) Accepting that Jesus Christ came to this earth as the Son of God. B) Believing that Jesus Christ went to the cross and died for YOU and for YOUR sins. and C) Confessing His love for you and sacrifices for you to others.
We may boast in Jesus only! He wants a personal relationship with us and that is all that He asks! This chapter is proof that God has a plan and it began back in Genesis! He will not falter from it.
Accept – Believe – Confess