Romans 11:3-4: "Lord, They Have Killed Your Prophets, They Have Demolished Your Altars, And I Alone Am Left"

Romans 11:3–4
[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.” (ESV)

Have you ever felt like you were the only one who loves the Lord? Whether you are at school, work, or even at family reunions you think that no one else is a Christian. Paul reminds his readers that the great prophet Elijah felt just the same. Paul raises the example of Elijah in the context of arguing that God has not rejected his people, Israel.

Elijah mentions that the people of Israel had killed God's prophets. They had demolished God's altars. Things were so bad that Elijah was convinced he was the only one left who was following the Lord. I do not know how many times people have said to me that things are so bad nowadays, as if they have never been this bad.

Isn't it interesting how the Lord responds? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." The Lord will always have a remnant. We are not the judge and jury of whether or not someone belongs to the Lord. It is encouraging to know that there are many more that belong to God than we would think.

As you look at the society around you it will be very easy to feel as if you are the only one who is following the Lord. Be encouraged. Jesus said that he would build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18). Things are not always as they appear. God has many in his kingdom. Not all of them are playing nice at the moment.

Keep you eyes on Jesus. Be sure that you are walking in obedience to his will. The Lord will build his church. You might surprised at who is in it.

Comments

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 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

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

Search This Blog