THURSDAY September 24, 2020
God’s Goodness
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
Romans 11:22-24
Notice what Paul was saying here. God loved the Jews so much, but although God is good, in severity, He cut them off. Knowing this, what makes you think He will not cut you off? There are people who believe God will not cut them off. Do not be deceived by living in this misconception. A person cannot be a true Christian unless they live a life of holiness. A genuine Christian has to believe and obey the Word of God; otherwise they can be separated from God.
That is why I love the balanced teaching of John 15. Abiding is a key doctrine in the Bible. Abiding in Christ brings a balanced teaching between the dispensationalists who believe in eternal security, and the Pentecostals whose focus is on the movement of the Holy Spirit. A person must abide in Christ on a daily basis––each day is a new relationship in Him. I believe I am eternally secure as long as I daily abide in Christ.
Think about God’s goodness. How can people say God has given up on Israel? They have the opportunity to be grafted in again! God cast them off for a season. God chose the Jews, not the Gentiles; they are the original branches. We are not, as Gentiles, we are grafted in to them. God is so good in extending His salvation to us.
With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!