Romans 11:15: For If Their Rejection Means The Reconciliation Of The World, What Will Their Acceptance Mean But Life From The Dead?

Romans 11:15
[15] For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? (ESV)

The Jews had rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some had received Him, but for the most part the Jewish nation had hardened their hearts to the truth. In some ways it seems natural that the ones who were responsible for placing the Son of God on a cross would not want to admit their guilt. It is human nature that we do not like to admit our wrong. Imagine having to admit such a great error.

As the Jews rejected the Gospel message the doors were opened to the Gentiles. Paul's life as a missionary to Gentile nations is recorded in the book of Acts. In every town he offered the Gospel first to the Jews. Once they rejected his message he offered it to the Gentiles where it was in many cases received with joy.

Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 the order in proclaiming the Gospel. He said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)" This was not only Paul's belief, but it was his practice everywhere he went. What was the Jews' response? They rejected the Gospel.

The Jews' rejection of the Gospel opened the door for the reconciliation of the whole world. Now, Paul poses that at such time as the Jews accept the Gospel it will be so grand it will be like a resurrection from the dead. Paul is not talking here about literal resurrection, but he compares their ultimate acceptance of the Gospel as to the wonder of the resurrection.

Thank God for his ultimate plan for bringing people unto himself. If you have heard the Gospel, but never accepted it's message why not place your faith in him right now? You can know the wonder of having your sins forgiven and the hope of eternal life.

Comments

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Every Day Devotion

Search This Blog