ROMANS 11

Paul asked if God had disposed of Israel. No. Obviously he is an Israelite, seed of Abraham, tribe of Benjamin. 

God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. 

He reminded his audience that Elijah thought he was the only faithful one left of Israel, but God revealed to him that there was a large remnant of believers who had not worshiped Baal. Therefore, Paul assured them that presently there was a "remnant according to the election of grace" in Israel. The nation Israel had not received what it desired, but elect individuals have; the others were "blinded," as written:

God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.

But did this mean the end for Israel as a nation? No. However, hopefully some will be provoked to jealousy because salvation was now available to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, the Gentiles should not boast because they were/are grafted in, being supported by the root. The Jews, being the branches, were broken off because of their unbelief, which God could also do the same to those grafted in.

Therefore, God was severe with Israel and good toward Gentile believers, who were only wild branches; but if Israel, the natural branch, returns to the Lord, they will be grafted in again. 

Also, this blindness will be with Israel until the "fullness of the Gentiles has come in." Then Israel will be saved:

The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with Them, when I take away their sins. 

Because of Israel's disobedience, Gentiles may now experience God's mercy. He permitted Israel's disobedience that He may demonstrate His mercy to all. 

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him? 

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 

COMMENTARY 

Paul explained that the remnant of Israel were "according to the election of grace," which meant they are Jews who come to Christ, by grace -- not merit. And those who do not come to Christ, were or will be hardened; and people are hardened because they reject Christ. They are blinded because they will not accept the Light. 

Also, the blindness (hardening) of Israel will continue while the church is present, and it will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles and the Rapture of the church. All Israel will not be saved, but rather a remnant of Israelites out of the whole nation.

About verse 29: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." The calling is the "effectual calling of God" and "without man's repentance or change of mind." 

It is your faith in Christ that saves you. Neither is your faith meritorious. It is Christ who is meritorious. Your faith enables you to lay hold of Him. 

One's salvation is by God's mercy. And God can show mercy on whom He wants to show mercy. If God wants to save a remnant of Israel, He will. No one knows the mind of God. No one can advise God. And to Him be the glory. 

ROMANS 9

Paul said he would exchange his own life for that of his brethren (Israel) if it meant that they would believe; after all, the entire nation was chosen to receive God's calling, the glory of God's presence, the covenants, the Law, the temple service, the promised Messiah, through the Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Nonetheless, not all of the descendants of Abraham are heirs of the promise, but only those who were called through Isaac. 

In Isaac your seed shall be called.

Even before the twins, Esau and Jacob, were born of Rebecca (and Isaac), having done neither good or evil, God's purpose was to call Jacob, not of works, but according to election.

The older shall serve the younger.

And it was written:

Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.

Does this mean God is unjust? No. 

God told Moses that He will have mercy and compassion on whomever He will have mercy and compassion. Therefore, it is not of human will or choice or by man's works or merit, but of God's mercy.

Then Paul threw in more supporting evidence regarding Pharoah, that God raised him up to demonstrate His power in him because God shows mercy or hardens whom He will.

But then why should any man be faulted for his sin or unbelief? If your question is genuine, that is one thing; but do not use it as an excuse for your own sin and unbelief. Does the pot ask the potter why he made him for a particular purpose?

God can use His creation to demonstrate His wrath, power, and glorious mercy. In fact, God could destroy all sinners instantly, but has chosen to be patient and show mercy instead. Furthermore, God does not cause people to be sinful, but rather He leaves them to their own devices because that is what they themselves have chosen. Meanwhile, He grants those sinners whom He has chosen for salvation, "which He prepared beforehand," grace, compassion, and forgiveness through Christ.

Paul then used scripture from Hosea and Isaiah to argue that Israel was called out by God and that He will also save a remnant from them in the end.

I will call them My people, who were not My people...

The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness... 

Unless the Lord...had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom,...and...made like Gomorrah.

Although God chooses some for mercy, those who reject the gospel will receive His judgment. The Gentiles received His righteousness through their faith, while Israel was rejected because they rather earn it through the Law.  

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, Romans chapters 1-8 is doctrinal, emphasizing faith and salvation; chapters 9-11 is dispensational, emphasizing hope and segregation; and chapters 12-16 is duty, emphasizing love and service. 

Paul "has concluded the first eight chapters...put[ting] salvation on a broad basis because the entire human race is lost...Salvation [is] available to everyone on one basis alone -- faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In this section, Paul explains who Israel is, that God is not done with Israel, and that God's remnant is always spiritual. 

This is such a deep chapter, and I do not have the time to go through McGee's commentary and pull out everything I want to share. I will conclude with my final notes:

If you want to be saved, you are the elect. If you don't, you aren't. 

Also, the humble man will come in simple faith. The natural man will try to produce salvation by natural processes or to reconcile the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man, as if the puny mind of man is capable. 

credit: Free Bible Lessons on Romans 9

 

ROMANS 8

 Believers who are in Christ Jesus will not be condemned of their past, present, or future sins because the Spirit of Christ has made them free from the law of sin and death! The Law could not do this, but God did it through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Those who live according to the flesh, are only thinking about the flesh, which is to be carnally-minded; but those who live according to the Spirit, are in the Spirit, which is life and peace. Carnally-minded men cannot please God.

The carnal mind is enmity against God...

If you have the Spirit, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is alive because of the righteousness of Christ. If you do not have the Spirit, you will die; but if you are led by the Spirit, you will live.  Also, the Spirit confirms that we are children of God, " --and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Paul said we cannot compare the suffering of the present with the glory revealed in us later. Creation eagerly awaits for the revelation of God's children and the end to its own "bondage of corruption." Even the bodies of believers await the redemption of their bodies.

The Holy Spirit also helps us in our weakness, including intercessions and what to pray for.

...He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Since God is for us, there is no one bigger than Him who can be against us. God spared His own Son for us, and Jesus makes intercession for us. Therefore, nothing shall separate us from the love of God. Not tribulation or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword.  

COMMENTARY

The themes of Romans chapter 8 are sanctification, security, and no separation from God. Every believer is going to experience joy and peace in his life as he lives for God. But how, when he is still in sin?

Through the work of the Holy Spirit who is in each believer! This is the work of sanctification. 

The believer now shares his life with Christ. While believers still experience sin (since it has not been removed), he will not be condemned. But the Holy Spirit will be his guide and helper by giving him power to live obediently to God. The Spirit will fight the flesh. So turn the battle over to Him. 

The natural man is full of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, etc., as these are the works of the flesh. These are the things the carnally-minded man practices, and he is separated from God. When a believer sins (because he is still in the flesh), his conscience should inform him and he should hate his sin and go directly to God and confess. 

If you have unconfessed sin, don't want to go to church, don't care to read the Bible, or pray, you are separated from God. But believers are led by the Spirit because they "hear His voice and He knows them and they follow Him."  

Everything works together for good, to those who love God, the "called-ones," according to His purpose. 

ELECTION

According to McGee: God's part was the saving and [McGee's] part was the sinning. "I done run from Him as fast as my sinful heart and rebellious legs could take me. He done took out after me until He run me down." 

According to Henry Ward Beecher: The elect are the whosoever wills and the non-elect are the whosoever wont's. 

And it is all according to His purpose. Whatever God does is right and good and just. He can save whomever He chooses. 

A theologian named Simeon said of Romans 8: There were three reasons why he preached on election: It laid the axe at the root of pride, presumption, and despair. There is no pride in the doctrine of election. it is God's work, His wisdom, and His purpose that is being carried out. The will of God comes down out of eternity past like a great steamroller. 

PREDESTINATION

The elected are not lost; they are the called, the predestined ones. Predestination means once God saves you, He will see it through, He will sanctify you. Sanctification is the work God does in the heart and life of each believer. "God's elect are justified sinners."

credit: Art of Hope

 

ROMANS 1

Paul addressed the Christians in Rome. He referred to himself as "called to be an apostle" and "separated to the gospel of God," which he noted was "promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." 

Whew.

And then he added that so too were the recipients of this letter "called of Jesus Christ" and "called to be saints."

Paul also told them that he prayed always for them and was seeking a way to come to them. He often tried to come but "was hindered" by the Spirit though he is ready to preach the gospel to them and all in Rome.  He declared, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..." 

The just shall live by faith.

Then he talked about the wrath of God. God has revealed Himself to men in creation, "His invisible attributes are clearly seen"...and are "without excuse." But man suppresses the truth and is ungrateful, so that their "foolish hearts were darkened." Man proclaims to be wise, but he is a fool. He even worships created things instead of God. 

Therefore, God permits them to worship the lust of their hearts by dishonoring themselves with one another and exchanging the truth for a lie. God gives them over to their abominable passions for the same sex so that they suffer the consequences. 

Because they do not want to know God, He gives them over to their perverted mindset and to continue practicing these wicked thoughts and behaviors:

• filled with unrighteousness
• sexual immorality
• wickedness
• covetousness
• maliciousness
• full of envy 
• murder
• strife
• deceit
• evil
• gossip
• backbiters
• hating God
• violent
• proud
• boasting
• inventing evil ideas
• disobedient to parents
• undiscerning
• untrustworthy
• unloving
• unforgiving
• unmerciful

And this goes for those who may not practice such behaviors, but encourage and defend those who do.

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, the Book of Romans teaches the total depravity of man who is "irrecoverably and hopelessly lost." Man has no righteousness of his own apart from God's righteousness. Man does not pursue God, nor does he understand God. God will never force us to serve Him; we must come willingly. It is His decision to call us, and He will only use those whom He calls.

The gospel was promised by the prophets from the Old Testament. God loves mankind and provides a way to save mankind. It is a loving relationship with Him. He loves us and gave Himself for us. "Grace is God's method of salvation." 

THE CALLED/ELECT

The called are the elect. They are the ones who have heard the call. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). "He calls, and you answer. If you have answered, you are among the elect, one of the called of Jesus Christ." These are called saints, ones set apart for Him. Saints exalt Jesus Christ, when He becomes their Savior. It is not our behavior that makes us a saint, but rather our faith in Jesus Christ. Are you set apart for Him? 

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because it has the power of God unto salvation, and he was obliged to God and the world to share the good news, which he received from God. The gospel is to everyone, regardless of who. It is personal and individual --- "whosoever will may come." Open to all, but limited by those who will believe.

According to Dr. Stifler: the effect of the gospel = salvation; the extent of the gospel = worldwide, everyone; and the condition of the gospel = faith in Jesus Christ.

The just shall live by faith: "God places a lost sinner in Christ, and He see him in Christ. The believer is absolutely accepted because of what Christ has done for him. The only method of procuring this righteousness is by faith." Justification (by faith) is when a sinner trusts Christ and may stand before God complete in Christ and His righteousness. 

THE WRATH OF GOD

As per McGee, the wrath of God is God's feeling about sin, not His punishment of sin. It is His holy anger. When we die, we will experience God's righteousness or His wrath. 

By the way, man is not improving himself, nor is he improving the world. Man is moving further from God. Man has knowledge of God, but he turns away from God. Paul lists what man was up to in his time, and it is still true today. 

• Man does not glorify God
• Is ungrateful
• Is vain
• Foolish heart is darkened
• Thinks he is wise, but is really a fool
• worships creation instead of the Creator

Man has hardened his heart against God and God has relinquished him over to his depraved practices, passions of dishonor, disgrace, depravity, and gross immorality. Even those who promote these bahviors will be condemned. 

Paul Writing Epistle to the Romans 

 

John 17

This is a wonderful chapter where Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, His believers, and the Church. He prayed out loud in front of His disciples for their benefit. 

He lifted up His eyes and talked to God the Father to glorify Him, and that He may glorify the Father, because God had "given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as [He had] given Him...

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." 

Then Christ prayed for His disciples. Again, Jesus reminded His disciples that God gave them to Him out of the world. They belonged to the Father, and He gave them to Jesus. 

Jesus prayed for them, not the world, whom the Father had given to Him, because what belongs to God the Father belongs to Jesus; and He is glorified in them. And because Jesus was leaving the world, and His disciples remained, He prayed the Father to keep them for (again) He gave them to the Son. And Jesus prayed that they would be unified, just as Jesus and the Father are unified. 

And again, again, Jesus reiterated that God the Father gave to Him His followers, and Jesus kept them in His name, that none were lost, except Judas -- that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. Jesus prayed that the Father would keep His followers from the evil one. 

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 

Meaning, Jesus is the Word, and the Word is truth; therefore, keep them and sanctify them (set them apart) by the truth of the Word. 

Then He extended His prayer to all believers (the Church), even to today, for all those who will believe through the Word, through the ages; that they may be one in Christ, just as Jesus and the Father, that the world may believe that Jesus came from the Father, that the Father sent the Son, and that He had loved them as the Father has loved the Son.

And finally, Jesus prayed that those the Father gave to Him will be with Him and behold His glory given by the Father before the foundation of the world. 

COMMENTARY

Jesus has power over all flesh! He has power to make every individual bow to Him. He could make us all robots and believe in Him, but He doesn't do that. This chapter brings up the question of Election and Free Will. 

God gave the Church to His Son as a love gift, and the church is made up of all those who believe. Only the Father knows who are His, and He gave them to the Son. God does not reveal to us who they are, which is why we must share the gospel with all. Those who reject the message will receive their  condemnation. Even if we share the gospel with those who reject it, the Lord is glorified when the truth is proclaimed and the gospel is shared. 

According to McGee, election does not shut out certain people, because if you have a desire to know the true God and Jesus Christ, than you will not be shut out. He gives eternal life to all who have heard the call and responded in their hearts. These are the elect. 

Jesus does not pray for the world today. His ministry is for His own who are IN the world, but not OF the world. He prays for the Father to keep us while we are still in the world, that we be sealed by the Holy Spirit. And He prays for unity among believers. These are promises because when Jesus prays to the Father, the Father hears Him and answers His prayers. There may be many denominations of Christianity, but there is one Church, and all believers who are truly His, He knows, and they are baptized by the Holy Spirit into His Church. 

Keep in mind that the Church cannot make the world a better place. Only Jesus can. Remember, the world hated Jesus and the world will hate His believers. If the world flocks to the church, it is because the church is not teaching the truth. The world hates the truth. But believers are sent out into the world to be a witness that those who are already His may believe. 

Jesus prayed that since His followers are in the world, that God would keep them from Satan. Believers will have tribulation, but through trial and tribulation, the Lord is glorified. Nonetheless, this is why believers long for Jesus to come. We long for the Rapture. The Holy Spirit and the Bride are weary of the world. 

But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!

McGee says Jesus' prayer for the Church has been answered because the Church is an organic unity. Believers are one in Christ, and the moment one believes in the truth, He is in the body of Christ. Again, there are many denominations, but the Lord knows who are His. Amen to that. We don't have to worry about it.

Now, in conclusion, Jesus prayed that His love might be in our hearts and lives. He desires that His love would be manifest in the lives of those whom He redeemed. 

Then McGee wrote an outline of Jesus' prayer:

Believers are given to Christ out of the world, left in the world, not of the world, hated by the world, kept from Satan, sent into the world, and manifest in unity before the world. 

And these are the requests of Christ for His believers:

That they be preserved, have joy (fullness of the Spirit), be delivered from evil, be set apart (sanctified), have unity (be of one mind), have fellowship with Him, and have satisfaction (behold His glory). 

Jesus is our great High Priest and He has all power and loves us completely.

from Bible Study Tools

John 6

JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND

The people followed Jesus because they believed in His signs performed on the sick, and they wanted to see more miracles. When He saw the multitude coming, He asked His disciples how they would feed them all.

Andrew said there was a boy with five loaves and two fish. Jesus had the people sit down. There were about five thousand men, not counting the women and children. He distributed the loaves and fish, and by the time everyone had finished eating, the disciples collected the leftovers and filled twelve baskets. Then the people were amazed at the sign.

JESUS WALKS ON WATER

Jesus knew the men wanted to make Him king; therefore, he departed to the mountain by Himself. By evening, His disciples went into a boat on the sea and started toward the otherside. In the night, a great wind came up and there they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. They were afraid, but He assured them it was Him. He got into the boat and immediately they were on the other side of the sea. 

The people sought Jesus because they ate and were filled. Jesus told them not to labor for the food that perishes, but "for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give [to them], because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

When they asked what shall they do, that they may work the works of God. He answered that "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." And they asked for a sign that they may believe. Jesus told them (again): 

I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. but I say to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me will by no means cast out. 

The Jews did not understand because He called Himself the bread "which came down from heaven." Jesus replied to them that No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Jesus said, "...I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." The Jews did not understand and even His disciples found this a hard saying to comprehend. 

Jesus knew from the beginning who believed and who did not. He said again, "...I have said...that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." Afterward, many disciples stopped following Him. 

When Jesus asked of His twelve disciples if they would go away, too, they said they would not because He had the words of eternal life, and they believed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God." But Jesus also knew that one of them was "a devil," Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him.

COMMENTARY

Jesus' mission is not to restore our physical bodies but to be Lord of our hearts. Unfortunately, the people were only interested in seeing Jesus perform more miracles. That was why they followed Him all over and sought Him out. He wanted them to seek Him for the food that endures forever. Just as He told the woman at the well about the everlasting water, He told these people about the Bread of Life. 

The people asked what "work" they must do for this bread of life. "Man has always felt that if he could just work at it, he could be saved. He feels thoroughly capable of working out his salvation. He feels competent to do it, and he feels that God must accept his works." But the work of God is that you believe on him who God has sent. It is what God has done, not what we can do. 

ELECTION OR FREEWILL

According to McGee, the arguments of election and free will are present in this chapter. 

All that the Father gives to me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:36-37)

"All that the Father gives to me shall come to me," represents election. "And him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out," is free will. The Father gives men to Christ, but men must come. And the ones that come are the ones whom the Father gives to Him. "Whosoever will may come!" And if you come, He will not cast you out. "If you come, you will be the elect." 

When Jesus told the people about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, He was preparing them for the Last Supper, which is symbolic for His sacrifice. This is my body, is just symbolic. Bread is bread and wine is wine, but the sacrament is a spiritual blessing for the heart of all Christians.