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Commentary on "The Election of Grace"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, September 4, 2010 - Introduction
Overview
This weeks’ study is based on Romans 10 and 11. The lesson makes the point that God loves all of humanity and offers His grace to the world through Jesus, and it comes to people by faith in Jesus. It further states that “there is no corporate rejection of anyone for salvation,” and “when Paul talks about election and calling, the issue isn’t one of salvation but on of the role in God’s plan for reaching the world.” It concludes by saying both Jews and Gentiles have the job of evangelizing the world.
Observations
It is true that God offers His grace to all people through Jesus, and no group of people has been rejected for salvation. On the other hand, however, when Paul talks about “election”, he is not speaking of roles in God’s plan for reaching the world.
On the contrary, Romans 11:28-29 say:
As regards the gospel, they [Jews] are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Paul is not talking here about “roles”. He is saying that God’s election of Israel as His people to whom He made specific promises still stands. Paul is not saying every Jew will be saved; rather, he is saying that God’s promises to the Jews through Abraham are irrevocable, because they were unconditional. God cannot lie; His promises must come true.
Some say that God’s promises to Abraham are fulfilled to the church—and to be sure, Gentile believers are grafted into the olive tree of God and receive His promises to His people. God, however, did make certain promises to the Jews through Abraham concerning Seed, land, and a blessing. The “seed” promise is realized in Jesus; the blessing is being realized through the power of the gospel going into the world.
The “land” promises, however, have yet to be fulfilled. The Old Testament prophets are full of promises of the Son of David ruling over the nations from Jerusalem. This has not yet happened.
When Paul speaks of “election”, he is speaking of God’s sovereign choice, in this case of Israel, as His people who will receive His certain promises. This election is not about roles; rather, Paul is saying that even though Israel is currently largely unbelieving, because God’s promises cannot be broken, the day is coming when Israel will be unhardened, and they will receive the promises God made to them.
We cannot read into the words of Scripture meanings that are not implicit in the text. We have to take the words at face value, and we must believe they mean what they say.
Summary
- God’s grace is offered through the Lord Jesus to the entire world.
- When Paul speaks of election, he is not speaking of roles, and nothing in the text suggest he means roles.
- Paul is saying that God’s election of Israel as His chosen people still stands, as do His promises made to them through Abraham.
- Paul is not saying every Jew will be saved; he is saying that Israel will one day be “unhardened” and realize the promises of Seed, land, and blessing he gave to Abraham.
- Paul is not saying “Israel” is the church; he is saying that just as God grafted Gentiles into God’s olive tree, so He will one day graft repentant Israel back into the tree as well.
- God calling and election are sure. His word cannot fail, and His promises are unconditional. Only promises based on human participation will fail. God’s promises to Israel through Abraham were unilateral and were not dependent upon Israel’s obedience or cooperation.
- God fulfills His promises whether or not His people are obedient.
- Israel is Israel; the church is the church.
Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised September 2, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 11
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 11
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 11
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