FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 11:23–24: And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
The “olive tree” is not the church; it is the spiritual stock of Abraham. Believing Gentiles are included in that sphere of blessing so that in the Church Age both Jews and Gentiles are in Christ’s body. Yet someday Israel as a whole will turn to Christ (as Paul discussed in Rom. 11:25–27). This passage does not teach that the national promises to Israel have been abrogated and are now being fulfilled by the church. This idea, taught by amillenarians, is foreign to Paul’s point, for he said Israel’s fall is temporary. While believing Gentiles share in the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:3b) as Abraham’s spiritual children (Gal. 3:8–9), they do not permanently replace Israel as the heirs of God’s promises. 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son…” Zechariah 12:10
May my soul be satisfied, everyday, in His steadfast love and unfailing faithfulness.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
His promises to Israel and to the Church, will all be fulfilled, in His timing. – TWEET IT
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.” Psalm 58:11
Dear Father, please keep me walking on the narrow path until I see Your face.
1. Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
