Does God turn His back on disobedient children?
May 21, 2010
Case For Grace - Part thirty in a study of the book of Romans
Mike Gaudet
It’s easy to believe that God loves us when we’re “good.”
It’s hard to believe that He loves us when we’re “bad.”
Does God turn His back on disobedient children?
“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’ As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.” Romans 11:25-32
There is a “mystery” that lies at the heart of God’s dealings with mankind. A “mystery” is a story line with a surprise ending. Something shrouded in mystery is deliberately concealed and difficult to discover.
What is the “mystery” Paul alludes to in this passage?
Israel “experienced a hardening.” Most Jews to rejected Jesus and His message. The surprising part of the story is God’s role in this rejection. He caused the hardening!
It would be easy to assume that Israel’s rejection of Jesus was a deviation from God’s plan. This is not the case. Israel’s rejection of Jesus was a part of God’s plan.
“Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” God purposed the rejection of His Son by the Jews in order to open the door of eternal life to non-Jews. God determined in advance that Jewish exclusion would lead to Gentile inclusion.
Why would God do this? What kind of God incorporates hardening and rejection into His plan?
A God who is committed to mercy!
“God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.” God catches all people in the net of disbelief and disobedience. We do not trust Him. We express this distrust in disobedience. This is where the surprise comes. God offers mercy to all of us who have snared ourselves in the net of disbelief. God catches us so that He can release us.
God extends mercy to all who deserve judgment.
This is true for Gentiles (non-Jews) “who were at one time disobedient” but “have now received mercy.”
This is true for Jews who “have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy.”
God does not give gifts to people and then take them back. He does not call people to Himself and then regretfully turn away from them. “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”
It would be a mistake to assume that God has washed His hands of Israel. The inability of most Jews to embrace Jesus as God’s Son was expected. Their opposition to the Gospel was predetermined. It does not exclude them from God’s love. “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.”
Israel’s story will have a surprise ending . . . a happy ending.
“Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’”
When the last Gentile has placed his or her trust in God’s mercy, God will lovingly return His gaze to the children of Israel. Whereas the “hardening in part” allowed only a small percentage of first century Jews to place their faith in Christ, the removal of this hardening will precipitate a widespread national responsiveness to God’s merciful offer. When God shines the light of His love into their hearts, “he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.”
What do you think of stories of wayward children being welcomed home by wise, loving parents?
This is the kind of story God has written.
He has written it with you in mind.