#DailyDevotion Be Thankful For God’s Grace In Christ Jesus

January 22nd

Read Rom 11:1–24

Rom 11:5-6  So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.  (6)  But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. ..20-22  That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.  (21)  For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.  (22)  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.

 

We should note that not all the Jews rejected Jesus after Pentecost.  Indeed you have the 11, plus the 500, plus the 5000 converted on Pentecost plus Paul!  Surely there were many more.  God saved a remnant for himself, chosen by him, chosen by grace.  Indeed it is the same for all of us.

 

Paul here lets us in a bit on the mystery of Christ.  God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself.  He wasn’t interested in just saving Jews or Israelites.  That would be too small a thing.  No he came to save the Gentiles also.  But this salvation would be solely by grace.  Grace is God’s good favor towards you.  It is undeserved.  It is unmerited.  It is unearned.  It’s basis is only the blood of Jesus.  Otherwise it would not be grace.

 

So you too have been chosen by grace though what you and I both deserve is eternal damnation.  But by God’s grace, you have been chosen and grafted into Jesus through baptism. Rom. 6  You have become part of Israel and the promises of God to Abraham are now yours.  Your inheritance is God, Jesus, the new heavens and the new earth and eternal life.

 

But do not become prideful or hardhearted as the unbelieving Jews did.  God broke them off to make room for you and grafted you in.  He can break you off just as easily.  God is severe towards those who reject his son.  So Paul says, “stand fast through faith.”  We must be vigilant to remain faithful to Jesus.  We must also trust and believe in the merit of his blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  Only Jesus is our righteousness before God.

 

We are called to remain in God’s kindness.  So we regularly go to Church to receive absolution, to hear his Word, to receive his body and blood and to lift up others and to be encouraged by them as well.  To separate ourselves from the visible body of Christ which meets around His Word and His Sacrament is to cut ourselves off from His kindness.

 

If you cut yourself off from God’s kindness found in His body expect the severity of God.  If you cut yourself off from him he will cut you off from him.  But that is your choice to be separated not his.  Don’t let Satan use people in Church and their actions to keep you away from his kindness.

 

Lord God heavenly Father, ever give us your kindness and your Spirit that we may always rejoice in our chosenness through your kindness in Christ Jesus and that we may remain with you forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.