Calvary Grace Church of Calgary

The widespread rejection of Jesus by Jews in the 1st century lead to misconceptions among new Gentile Christians that God had no further use for 'the chosen people'. Paul makes it clear that God's purposes for Jews remain, but he also reminds Gentile Christians of the danger of the sin of pride --- the same sin that sunk Israel in unbelief. Paul's reminder to the Romans also shows how God, the Vinedresser, has power to graft, prune and regraft as he pleases.

Our lives at times can seem meaningless. But Paul reminds us that the sovereign God has cosmic purposes, and our stories are shaped by God's designs. Israel's story was shaped this way. And so too are the lives of every individual in this world. Our destinies are in God's hand. Will we look to him for grace? Will we look to God's Messiah?

People need to hear the gospel in order to believe. We have a responsibility to share the gospel. To withhold the gospel is to withhold life. If people believe through hearing the good news, why didn't Israel believe?

How could Israel be ignorant of the righteousness of God and seek to establish their own? Because they missed Jesus Christ himself, who is the point and goal of the Law. In Romans 10:5-13, Paul shows how the Old Testament itself makes plain that right relationship to God was never about what humans do, but rather about what God has done, and that what saves any person, Jew or Gentile, is a true and living faith in Jesus Christ as the God of Israel.