Today’s passage: Romans 11:1-10
Helpful thoughts:
- Grace is unmerited favor. God could never reject those whom He has already elected by His grace (“Foreknew”). Those actions are mutually exclusive.
- Even when it looks like all Israel has rejected God, there is a remnant of those who have been saved by His grace.
- Paul quotes Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 29:10, and Psalm 69:22-23 in reference to the idea of God hardening the hearts of some in Israel. This isn’t just “Pauline” doctrine.
- God has mercy upon whom He has mercy – Exodus 33:19
- And He hardens whomever He will. – Romans 9:18
Questions to consider:
- What is already true of every heart that might be hardened (Romans 3:10-18)? What is true of any person’s heart before God shows them mercy and grace (See Romans 3 again)? Would God harden a heart that He has already redeemed?
- How would a passage like John 6:60-68 be helpful after reading through this portion of the book of Romans? If we read this and decided it is not acceptable, what role would we have taken on in relation to approving or disapproving what God does?
- How do the truths of this passage help us to better understand a verse like 2 Corinthians 5:17? Why do we need to be a “new creation?” What all did God do to save us?