Branches Not Spared Romans 11:21

Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome, “You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”, and he added, “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear” In chapter eleven and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul instructed the people in Rome to consider, “if God spared not the natural branches” where we read:

For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you.

The verse begins, “For if God spared not the natural branches, ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “if God” or “whether the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “spared not” which means“did not abstain, treat leniently or forbear” “the natural branches” or “the young tender shoot which were broken off for grafting that were according to the nature of things, the force, laws or order of nature”. Paul presented the condition concerning the “young and tender shoots” which were directly fashioned and formed according to nature.

The verse goes on to say, “... take heed lest he also spare not you.”. Paul added the words, “take heed lest” or “be careful and cautious for perhaps and by some means” “he also” which means “God even so and indeed” “spare you not” or “does not abstain, treat leniently or forbear Paul's believing Gentile readers in Rome”. Paul shared how the Gentile believers in Rome should “be careful” because God might not “spare” them as well.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how there was a great advantage to be in a relationship with God as a Gentile. Paul's caution to them was to be “careful” because God could remove them from their state as He did Israel. God wants every person to be “saved”, and regardless of whether they are Jew or Gentile, He desires for them to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Once they have received Jesus, the person who is wise shall “be cautious” to give God the honor and glory He deserves and know the power He maintains to keep or remove them.

Next time Paul tells his readers in Rome, “behold therefore the goodness and severity of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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