Pardon me for going theological this morning. But I was reading in Romans this morning and 11:28-29 captured my attention.
"As regards the gospel they are enemies of God* for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
I know this has a context and specific setting, but it seems like an eternal truth about God's love is lodged in these words. These "enemies of the gospel" were not excluded from the love of God. Even though they were "enemies" God continued to love them. They were beloved -- not for what they had done or failed to do. But God loved them for the sake of His promise.
God's overflows from God. It is not a reward for our obedience or disobedience to anything. Humanity is beloved -- and always will be -- because God's love is irrevocable.
If you start feeling bad about yourself or judgmental toward others, just remember this. God can't not love you. Unlike certain brands of toys with lead paint, God's love will never be recalled.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Subscribe:
TLIO Bloggers
Blog Archive
-
▼
2007
(95)
-
▼
October
(19)
- Lunch Hour
- Forgive -- Or Else?
- prayer
- The Hound of Heaven
- Next-Wave Interview (Wide Open Spaces & TLIO)
- The Greatest
- Take Me With You Everywhere You Go
- once there was a man
- St Francis revisited
- The more I love
- A Welcoming Place
- Not my will but Your will
- No Recall
- Love each fragment
- love changes us
- Graceful Gratitude
- It’s not how much you’ve got but what is done with...
- Saint Francis of Assisi
- People of the Love
-
▼
October
(19)
5 comments:
Kevin, I love the "no recall" message that you saw in the Bible. I didn't quite understand the whole passage, especially the part about "regards election" and what that meant. So I checked The Message paraphrase to give me more understanding:
11:28
From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends.
11:29
God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty - never canceled, never rescinded.
We're all under full warranty, never to be recalled. This expression of universal love makes me smile. :) <---- me smiling
Anne,
Romans 11 is certainly complex, but what really strikes me is that God loves "the enemies" for the sake of the ancestors. God can love "on behalf of." That, to me, is amazing.
Thanks Kevin! I love St. Paul and your thought-provoking and funny blog (re: lead paint toy recall!!!).
This TLIO site is like prayer to me. I love being presented with a truth and pondering, musing and then responding, or just reading and reflecting, or just nothing. It is great.
No performance required. And like you said. "God overflows from God" "God's love is irrevocable" Humanity (us) will always be God's beloved.
More thoughts on the words of St. Paul...
"For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable." If one even feels an inkling of this...ooooo - through the Holy Spirit of course - the seed of faith is created.
Enemies: Some People who denied Christ when he walked this earth - their ancestors were the people God (the God of Abraham) first revealed himself to.
Election = "choseness". Election also means having the the right or ability to make a choice. ...i.e. toy, God, etc... :o)
Ponder ponder
Peace,
Keren
A wonderful rabbi, Gershon Winkler, mentions that the Hebrew term referring to the "chosen people" can also be translated as "well-choosing people."
Imagine being able to go from an elitist self-image (so often leading both to stubbornness and persecution) to one of being perceptive and discerning. Yes, I'd like to stand up and be counted in *that* number.
Hey change
Not sure you will look at this again but I like your moniker! - I googled Gershon Winkler - thanks!
Peace
Keren
Post a Comment