Christianty has NOT replaced Israel as the People of Yehovah & Salvation can be lost. Salvation is not automatic because you gave your life at 17: Discipline is grievous to him that leaves the way; he who hates reproof dies (Proverbs 15:10). The way is the path that leads to life. It is the road of salvation, the route to Yehovah. The Scriptures speak of the Way many times in many forms, and in each instance the teaching is clear: though the path is straight and true, a person can leave it at any time - but he will suffer the consequences. The lures of this world cause a man to look aside and be drawn away from the path of righteousness. When this happens, DISCIPLINE IS GRIEVOUS. What happens in our minds to make us think that something better or more interesting may be found anywhere but on the way? It is because our flesh craves that which it ought not to have. But not soon after going astray, we realize we are in torment and we think, If I can just get back to the way, everything will be made right. To return to the path, however, one has to endure the fire. This is correction and discipline - and without it, we will not live. The fire will not destroy us, for it only removes that which needs to be burned up. No, death comes when one hates reproof - when he remains in darkness instead of returning to the path. (Kevin Geoffrey) As Paul recognizes that some of Israel was broken off (The Olive Tree - of Israel) and that this breaking off is related to the Gentiles inclusion, he cautions the Gentile believers against pride, He writes: 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 towards those who have fallen, but Gods kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off (Romans 11:20-22). The breaking away of some of the natural branches should give rise to fear, not pride, on the part of the Gentile believers. Instead of boasting that God prefers the Gentiles over the Jews, the Gentile believers should recognize their inclusion is due to faith, not anything that they have achieved on their own. This refers back to what Paul explains in the first eight chapters of Romans: no one has any right to boast with regard to salvation: Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded (Romans 3:27a) Paul seems to be saying that the Gentile believers are in a sense in no better position than the people of Israel in that they are not to take Gods favor for granted. Since there was nothing about Israels status as the natural descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that that guaranteed their remaining in the olive tree, the current inclusion of Gentiles guaranties nothing should they themselves fall into boastful arrogance. Paul then states that the current unbelieving condition affecting the majority of Israel is not necessarily permanent. An even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 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 will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree (Romans 11:23-24). Since faith is the criteria for inclusion, should there be a change of heart by the unbelieving members of Israel, they will be instantly re-included into Gods community of salvation. In fact because of their original relationship to the olive tree, it is fitting that they should be restored. This is contrary to the notion that any or all of Israel, because of unbelief, have lost their rights to a place in Gods plan of salvation. If God can include Gentiles, he can certainly re-include the people of Israel.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:57:22 +0000
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