Follow-up to January 22nd teaching

Sunday Follow-up
Romans 11 – “Is God done with Israel?”

Knowing the mind of his fellow Israelites, Paul realizes there will be those who will wonder if God was done with Israel since the Jewish people as a whole had rejected God’s offer of salvation thus leading God to turn His focus onto the Gentiles. Paul responds in 3 ways.

First, though it may not seem like it, many Jews were coming to Christ and being saved. Second, God used Israel’s rejection to bring the gospel to the Gentile people and then in turn used the Gentile people to stir up the hearts of the Jewish people. Third, there will come a time in the future when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom here on earth. That is when the Jewish people as a whole will receive Jesus as the Messiah God promised and be saved. So, no God is not done with the Jewish people.

Thank God He is not done working in the heart of Gentiles either. Though the majority of Gentiles continue to reject God’s offer of salvation, many are still being saved. Even in the tribulation period when God’s focus turns back to the Jewish people, Gentiles will continue to come into the Kingdom of God.

I am also thankful that God is not done working in each of us. Though I have come a long way in my relationship with God, I realize that I still have a long way to go. I know that where I am now in my life is because God has never stopped working in me.

I find it interesting that God took the rejection of the Jewish people to bring the Good News to the Gentiles, and at the same time used that to stir up the heart of the Jews. It makes me realize how awesome our God is. He can take the things that unsaved people do to us and not only use them for our good but then turn around and use what we have gone through to stir up the heart of the lost.

There may be times when you feel like God has given up on you but know this. God is not done working in you so don’t give up on God. Have a blessed week.