WEDNESDAY September 23, 2020

The Fear of God

You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
Romans 11:19-21

As we, the Gentiles have been grafted into the Holy Root––Jesus; know that we have nothing to boast about. It is a miracle of God that we are grafted in as God’s chosen people. Salvation is a miracle of God, a free gift––we do not deserve it. What were the Jews trusting in for salvation? Works! Salvation is not of works, it is by placing our faith in Christ.

Christians are saved because of God’s grace. So do not boast. He used His elect––Israel to make known His salvation to other nations, but they fell away. God judged Israel because of their unbelief. Many were lost, as branches that were broken off, because they did not abide in the Branch (Isaiah 11:1). The message of salvation is God came to us––so fear God!

Notice, Paul spoke of God’s judgment. If a believer continues in God’s goodness, love, grace and mercy by living a life of obedience, they are abiding in Jesus Christ––they are saved. You see, salvation is conditional. You cannot continue to live a life of sin; otherwise you will be cut off. Paul warned Christians, not non-believers when he said:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9)

We cannot take advantage of the grace of God. We must be holy––set apart for God. If you are living a life of sin––practicing sin–– then know this, the wrath of God comes upon the disobedient.

Worldings may well be afraid, for they have an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hell beneath them; but we who rest in Jesus are saved from all these through rich mercy,
~C. H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!