Read Romans 11
Key Verse 22: “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.”
Observations: My first observation is that Paul is not writing to Jews but to Christians who have recently accepted Christ. These would not be second-generation Christians but those who have willingly accepted Christ. He is plainly saying here that they can lose their salvation, that if they once had it if they do not stay in God’s kindness He will cut them off. If God was willing to cut off his own chosen people, of course, he will cut off the ones who have been adopted in. Second: In this whole passage that seems so Calvinistic in nature this one seems to go against the flow. But when put in the context of the bigger law versus grace debate that Paul has already waded into, it makes a lot of sense. If you came to Christ through grace but have now converted over to Jewish law and are attempting to maintain your salvation through law, you will be cut off. Just as God did not spare the Jews (his chosen people) who abandoned his grace and his heart to chase after what they could accomplish on their own, so God will not spare a Gentile who goes down the same road.
Application: The practical application is so glaring: don’t chase the law as a means to maintain your salvation. So much of this book is written to define the work of the law as compared and contrasted against grace. Paul was fighting Judaizers who were wanting to convert the new Christians to their Jewish law. Paul has made a strong case that the law does not get you to God and now does not maintain your salvation. If you came to Christ through grace and you convert over to Jewish law to maintain your faith – IT WON’T WORK. Law has a place and a purpose and we must keep it in its place and purpose.
Prayer: God, this seems so cut and dry and easy, but it is not. I find myself relying on the law to keep my own salvation. I strain to do right as a means of not losing it and when I break the law I then come under condemnation and feel like I’m kicked out of your love. This is the nasty game that we can get sucked into and this is why this becomes so dangerous to our faith. It is not living in freedom. God, give me your heart of love for you and for others so that I will naturally walk away from sin and walk more toward your holiness.
