Romans 11 Devotional

Grafted In by Kindness

“O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”Romans 11:33 (BSB)

Has God rejected his people? Paul answers with a firm no (11:1-2). As in Elijah's day, when God had kept seven thousand who refused to worship Baal, there is now a remnant chosen by grace, and if it is by grace, it is not by works (11:4-6). Israel's stumbling is not the end of the story. Through it, salvation has reached the Gentiles (11:11).

Paul pictures an olive tree. Some natural branches were broken off through unbelief, and wild shoots from the Gentiles were grafted in (11:17). Those shoots have no ground for pride. The root holds them up, not the other way around, and they stand only by faith (11:18-20). God is able to graft the natural branches back in, his gifts and calling are never withdrawn, and Paul foresees Israel's salvation once the full number of Gentiles has come in (11:23-29). The argument ends not in a debate but in praise for the depth of God's wisdom (11:33-36). Grace leaves no room for looking down on anyone. It leaves room for worship.

To think about: Where are you tempted to look down on others, and how does remembering that you stand only by grace change that?