S) "19 You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.' 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either."
Romans 11:19-21 (NASB)
O) Paul uses an olive tree to represent the people of God. Here, he says that there were branches of Israel that were broken off for unbelief and in their place, gentiles were able to be grafted in by their faith. It is foolishness, however, to think that we will be saved forever since we are called sons of God. Just as the first believers of God have lost their place in Him, we also can lose our place in Him.
A) There was a very specific command given in the middle of this passage, "Do not be conceited, but fear;" I need to keep that central in my mind as a believer. Humility is a lifestyle, not a personality. It's learned behavior. I can either learn because other branches were broken off, or I can learn because I am broken off. I don't have to read the Old Testament to see men of God lose their ways; there have been plenty of cautionary tales in the last 10 years alone. Being humble is not the same as self-deprication or self-doubt. I can acknowledge who I am within Christ, as long as I remember who I am without Him.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You've given in calling me Your son. It's beyond my comprehension that You would sacrifice Your only Son for me, when I was wretched, filthy, guilty, and shameful. Thank You for wanting me. Holy Spirit, remind me that I am nothing without grace. I can be removed from the tree if I am not obediently believing and faithfully serving. Help me to know my place among the branches and be thankful for everything, even my own belief. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) There was a very specific command given in the middle of this passage, "Do not be conceited, but fear;" I need to keep that central in my mind as a believer. Humility is a lifestyle, not a personality. It's learned behavior. I can either learn because other branches were broken off, or I can learn because I am broken off. I don't have to read the Old Testament to see men of God lose their ways; there have been plenty of cautionary tales in the last 10 years alone. Being humble is not the same as self-deprication or self-doubt. I can acknowledge who I am within Christ, as long as I remember who I am without Him.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You've given in calling me Your son. It's beyond my comprehension that You would sacrifice Your only Son for me, when I was wretched, filthy, guilty, and shameful. Thank You for wanting me. Holy Spirit, remind me that I am nothing without grace. I can be removed from the tree if I am not obediently believing and faithfully serving. Help me to know my place among the branches and be thankful for everything, even my own belief. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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