Religious Traditions of Christianity and Judaism Are Potentially Dangerous

My mother died when I was seven. I felt abandoned. Does God call us His people one day and abandon us the next?

Paul insists he is living proof that God has not discarded all of Israel. He is part of Israel. A remnant continues within the Jewish people. They are the real Israel, God’s people. Similarly, not all churchgoers are the church.

The size of the remnant in Israel changed over time. During a low point, Elijah thought that he was the only person faithful to God. God informed him that 7,000 others were also.

Few Jews in Paul’s day accepted Jesus as their Messiah. God chose a remnant of them who by grace through faith received the righteousness He offered in Christ (Romans 11:5).

The remainder settled for religious traditions instead of salvation. Only a remnant in most churches live out their faith. Religious traditions still drive the rest. Are religious traditions major drivers in the life of your local church? How so?

Most of the children of Israel were spiritual “whatever” people. They witnessed God’s miraculous signs but didn’t love, trust, or obey Him.

So, God sent a “whatever” spirit upon them. They were spiritually disinterested, unfeeling, and uncaring. That still happens to those who refuse to love, trust, and obey God.

Paul addresses Israel’s rejection. Their stumbling is not final. Because they rejected the gospel, Paul turned to the Gentiles.

God did not permanently remove the door to salvation for the Jews. Instead, He intended the Gentiles’ spiritual prosperity would move the Jews to desire the same riches for themselves (Romans 11:11).

Paul expected to save some but not all of the Jews (Romans 11:14). He was God’s instrument to announce the gospel, the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).

When the Jews as a whole receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord, there will be a supernatural outpouring of blessings— “life from the dead” (Romans 11:15). The faithful Jewish remnants are the first portion of the harvest. Much more will follow.

The breaking off of the cultivated olive tree’s branches represents the partial rejection of Israel. The grafting of the wild olive branches represents God’s adding Gentiles to His family tree.

We Gentiles should not be proud but fearful. Not because God will arbitrarily abandon us, but because pride can cause us to fumble the life preserver of faith that keeps us afloat.

We continue in God’s goodness through a life of faith. Unbelief, revealed by loveless and disobedient living, brings God’s harsh judgment.

Someday, God will graft the cultivated olive branches (Israel) into His family tree. This will happen when faith in their Messiah replaces their unbelief. What is your takeaway?

See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.

 #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,150 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.  

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)