ROMANS 11 NO LONGER WORKS BUT GRACE

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May 27

ROMANS 11

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

                                                                        – Romans 11:1-6

ROMANS 11 NO LONGER WORKS BUT GRACE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Believe in Jesus and you will abound in grace

Christ already did what no human can do

There’s no need for believers to add to it

Christ has now completed it; it is finished.

In this letter, Paul reminds the believers of God’s promise of grace. He clarified to them that not all Israelites are going to be saved but only a chosen remnant. He warned them to focus on the importance of relying on the finished work of Christ and not thinking that just because they were Israelites, they were automatically saved. He reminded them of God promising salvation to those men who kept their end of the covenant promise.

Paul wants them to be mindful of how easy it is to be complacent and rely only on being part of the tribes of Israel. He points out to them that he too is an Israelite. Paul wants them to know that being an Israelite isn’t enough to be saved. Salvation is for those whom God has chosen from the beginning of time. Those whom he chose, he has given the ability to receive God, serve him and go against their nature.

We could very well learn from Paul’s letter about the importance of taking our responsibility as servants of God seriously. We ought to live faithful lives and prioritize God in everything we do.

REFLECTION

  • Cite some examples how some Christian churches twist the concept of “grace?”