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The core question is this: Does the requiring of action(s) on the part of a believer invalidate the principle of grace? Or to put it another way, can there be legitimate conditions to salvation without doing violence to the concept of grace? Or to ask it yet another way, if I must do something to obtain salvation, have I “worked for my salvation” and thereby made void the offer of grace? Today's devotional will look at selected phrases from Romans 11 and thereby provide a biblical response to the vital questions we have just posed.

Please note that the chapter under consideration addresses the theme of “the election of grace” (Romans 11.5) and is therefore an appropriate place to seek answers to such questions. That being said, we will allow the Holy Spirit through Paul to answer these questions. “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” (Romans 11.7). Note that the elect obtained it; the verb voice is active (not passive) and means that the elect acted to obtain their status; it was not simply bestowed upon them by another!

“For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.” (Romans 11.13-14). By Paul's preaching tot he Gentiles, he hoped to provoke some of his kinsmen to jealousy and thereby save some of them. The saving in the passage is an active verb (on Paul's part) and demonstrates the means by which God (at least in this instance) would impart His grace to others; it was by provoking them in this manner that they might imitate the Gentiles in obeying the gospel. Once again, grace was not God's unconditional gift being bestowed; it was a gift that came to believers through their own actions and through the actions of others.

“You [Gentiles] will say then, 'Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.' Well said. Because of unbelief they [the Jews] were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.” (Romans 11.19-20). Again we call attention to the voice of the verb in the phrase “you stand by faith.” The word stand is in the active voice and speaks of that which faithful Gentiles did for themselves and not what God did for them. The continuance of grace was conditional to the Gentiles just the same as it had been to the Jews who had been broken off due to unbelief!

“For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you [Gentiles] either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11. 21-22). The verb voices here are absolutely conclusive! The Gentiles had God's goodness extended toward them as long as they continued (active voice) in God's goodness. If that is not clear enough, Paul follows by saying, “Otherwise you will be cut off.” The force of his statement is clearly this: “You Gentiles have the power to act in a manner that will allow God to continue to extend His grace toward you. However, if you fail to act in keeping with the provisions of the gospel, His grace will be withdrawn and you will become an object of His severity!”

The context of Romans 11 demands that one understand that God's grace is conditional and that the terms that must be met in order to obtain His gifts are not to be classified as the works of men or of merit. Grace is not voided when God places conditions on His gifts!

Questions:

1. Why had the Israelites been broken off according to Romans 11.20?

2. What power was behind their unbelief - God, Satan, or both?

3. What power was behind the belief of the Gentiles – God, Satan, or both?

4. Did the Jews have to power to continue as believers? Did the Gentiles have this power? If so, was continuing in faith a condition of God's continuing grace? Is it a condition today?

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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