3 minute read
God’s Unchanging Love Romans 11:25-29
from October 2022
by Pastor Phil Wade
God loves man with an infinite love, and God’s love is unchangeable. Therefore, any person can be restored to God if the person will call upon the name of the Lord.
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I. The first surety is God’s great revelation about Israel.
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25).
This revelation comes from Paul. Let’s note three significant facts. 1. This revelation had been an unknown mystery until Paul.
The future of Israel is now revealed and made known to men. 2. Israel’s blindness is only partial, only “in part.” The blindness and hardness of Israel to the Gospel is not total; it is only partial. 3. Israel’s blindness is only temporary. Israel’s blindness is only “until the fullness of the Gentiles come in” and “All
Israel will be saved.”
There is hope for every person. A person’s blindness to the Lord Jesus Christ is only partial. As long as a person is alive, he can still turn to Christ. A person’s blindness is temporary only if the person turns to the Lord Jesus Christ. Unless a person believes and commits his life to Christ, his blindness becomes permanent, and he is lost forever.
II. The second surety is the promise of Scripture. God’s great Deliverer, Jesus Christ Himself, shall turn Israel.
“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins’” (Romans 11:26-27).
Scripture gives a glimpse into the future of Israel’s restoration in this verse, but note that it is only a glimpse. Only two major things are given: some great manifestation of Christ the Deliverer will cause Israel to turn to the Gospel and the great Deliverer, Jesus Christ, will do two things for Israel. Jesus Christ will turn away ungodliness from Israel and Jesus Christ will fulfill God’s covenant with Israel—He will take away their sins.
III. The third surety is God’s pleasure with Israel’s forefathers.
“Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28-29).
A few Jews did accept Christ as the Messiah, but the number is small. The number is so small that God can say that Israel as a nation has rejected Christ. A far greater number of Gentiles accept Christ as their Savior. The point is that God is speaking nationally, not individually. And we must remember this, for it is absolutely essential for everyone to make a personal decision to receive Christ and to follow Him by living a pure life.
The statement “they [the Jews] are beloved for the sake of the fathers” shows that God still loves Israel. As a people
they are still very precious to Him. How can this be when they have been so hostile to God’s Son, Jesus Christ? There are two reasons why.
The forefathers of Israel were a godly people, a people of unusual faith in God. Godly people are a praying people, a people who pray for their families and neighbors, for their nation and world. And God hears and answers the prayers of His people. God would never turn His back upon Israel for this reason alone. There is a second reason why God still loves Israel: God Himself is unchangeable in His gifts and calling. God called and promised some very special gifts to the forefathers of Israel, and God is unchangeable.
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11).
About The Author
Pastor Phil Wade and his wife Keli have two children and five grandchildren. His passion in returning to Rome is to give back to Rome the investment they made in him as he served as lead Pastor of Northside Church since 2012.
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