The Blessings Of Righteousness
BRD REFLECTIONS
Romans 11:1-24 and Psalm 139 (NIV)
(Gordon Tan, Associate Lay Leader)
READ:
Romans 11:1-24, Psalm 139 (NIV)
Romans 11:4-6 (ESV)
But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11:19-23 (ESV)
Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
OBSERVE:
It is sometimes difficult to accept and understand why God chooses to keep for Himself a ‘remnant’. In my eagerness to expect God to love and save everyone, I missed the essence of the gospel offering. Through God’s love for everyone, He has offered everyone a way to be part of the ‘remnant’ – through faith in accepting the free gift of forgiveness from sin and the reconciliation to God by His mercies. However, because of unbelief (v20), they were unable to be part of the ‘remnant’. Likewise, if we do not accept the kindness of God through faith, God will not spare us either. So I observe that we need to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil 2:12, 13, ESV). And this ‘working’ is to believe, accept and remain in my walk of faith.
APPLY:
Romans 11:7-10 speaks to me to beware of 2 issues that may plague my heart. First, is my heart beating in tune with God’s love or am I in danger of exerting my effort to earn my salvation? Just like the Israelites, I can have “eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear”. In my pride and arrogance, I may insist that I am able to be righteous in God’s Eyes, and puff myself up in deceiving that I have led such a “holy” life that I can earn God’s forgiveness through my righteous acts. Instead of humbly accepting the free gift of God’s mercy, grace and love, I can fall into the trap that all my “righteous deeds” count towards being such a great Christian.
Second, I have to watch against allowing my “table (to) become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them” (v9). Some Bible commentators have referenced this to the traditions, feasting and the self-righteous acts that the Israelites blindly follow. The application of this is to guard against slipping into practising the spiritual disciplines in a ritualistic way. And so I need to regularly check my heart to see if I am still in love with Jesus my Lord or have I “let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever” (v10). Am I following the spiritual disciplines because of my love for Jesus or am I doing it out of obligation to appear “holy”?
DO:
I pray that I will constantly savor God’s love and be grateful for His tender mercies and grace. Even as I pursue Intentional Discipleship, I pray I will remain humble in my walk and not become puffed up. May I also remember what a wretched sinner I am, in need of God’s mercies and grace. And may I not cast judgmental eyes on my brothers and sisters who may be struggling in their journey to be intentional disciples. I pray that I will gently lift up those in need, and out of love set them along with encouragement.
PRAY:
Almighty Heavenly Father, thank you for creating a way for me to be a child of yours. I thank you for the free gift of the work of the Cross. I pray for a heart of humility, a kind and gentle spirit to encourage and love those around me. And as a church, I pray that we may all become the true remnant worthy of Your calling, walking daily as Intentional Disciples for Jesus’ name’s sake. In His glorious name I pray.
