Man has a natural inclination to believe (if they believe in God) that God is gracious on the basis of something in them. This is our native disposition, even if converted and born again: that God is gracious to me because of something in me. At that point, however, we deny the graciousness of God. We begin to make contracts with God. If I do (fill in the blank), then God will be more gracious to me. And God is not gracious to others because of something in them. Paul says (this is my paraphrase), “That is not grace!” And he uncovers for us what I believe to be the most humbling and most wonderful of all truths in Scripture. That the only way of salvation is by grace. There is no other way. No other way in the Old Testament or the New Testament.

I pray you will join us this weekend. In Romans 11 Paul continues to address God’s purposes with the nation of Israel, but as he does, he will draw out principles that are relevant to all of us. Make plans today to be part of one of our weekend services as we worship the God who “abounds in riches for all who will call upon Him.”

— Pastor Chad McDonald