SCRIPTURE: Romans 10:1-11:36
Is Paul saying people are saved BECAUSE they were chosen (Romans 11:7)?
And others are rejected BECAUSE God hardened their hearts?
Do we have no choice, are we predetermined for eternal life or eternal death?
“But they were broken off BECAUSE of unbelief, and you stand by faith.” (Romans 11:20)
Through this whole passage it is because of the faith response that people are saved.
This is God’s sovereign choice: to save the humble, but not those who resist and reject Him.
Yes, God somehow chooses who will be saved, but it is still open for all to respond.
God’s grace is a free gift given (not earned) by those who humbly accept it by faith.
God helps us to believe, but we must still make the choice, to open ourselves to God.
To this humble, repentant soul, God graciously gives His Spirit and produces a new life.
“And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:23)
And even those who did not believe can change, can repent, and enter God’s grace!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I do not understand the intricacies of how You chose me, and I chose You. But I do sense deep in my heart that You chose to love me, and I chose to love You back.
Observation/Application
The Word needs to be alive coming from the heart for out of the heart comes the issues of Life which are put into action with the hands. Head – Heart – Hands need to be rooted in the Word. Open ears in order to have an open heart to do His will. Seek to do His will. Rooted in Him receiving Life through Him. He is the True Vine and all grafted in Him will have Life. All this is a gift from God. It is through grace that I am His and He is mine.
Help me daily Lord to give You the glory.
1. All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and Blessed One.
2. The company of angels
Are praising thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before thee went;
Our praise and love and anthems
Before thee we present.
3. To thee, before thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the love we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.