Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 11
God’s kindness cannot fail (Lamentations 3:22-23). However, a person can refuse to accept God’s kindness to him. A person can refuse to believe God’s promises, and instead choose to believe the devil’s lies. We call that attitude ‘unbelief’ (11:20). It is the opposite of faith (belief and trust in God).
Every Christian sometimes fails to believe God. However, God knows our weakness and he cares about us (Hebrews 4:15). The Bible compares him to a shepherd, a person who looks after sheep (Psalm 23:1; Psalm 119:176). God will make the most extraordinary efforts to bring his people back into a right relationship with him (Matthew 18:12-14). Then he teaches his people to live in the way that pleases him (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Our knowledge of God’s kindness must not cause us to become careless about unbelief. Rather, we should care very much about the damage that this evil attitude can cause to our relationship with God (Hebrews 3:12). We must not allow an attitude of unbelief to control our lives.
Paul makes a statement in Romans 11:21-22 that many Christians will find hard to accept. Christians do not have more security in their relationship with God than the Jews (Israel’s people) have. Some Jews, because of their attitude of unbelief, will not gain any benefit from God’s promises to Israel (9:6). However, God’s promises to their nation, Israel, continue (11:26). In the same way, some people who consider themselves Christians, will have no part in God’s plans for his people. However, their unbelief cannot destroy the wonderful plans that God has for his people (8:28-39).
Next part: God is able to bring Israel's people back to himself (Romans 11:23-24)
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