Mother and child sharing a loving hug on a park bench
Bible, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Mercy, Repentance, Romans, Scripture

SHOW ME MERCY

ROMANS 11:30

“For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,”

Do you remember the childhood game of “Mercy”? Two kids would face each other and raise both hands toward the other person, palms facing them. Then you interlock your fingers with palms touching (this was definitely a pre-covid game, lol). Each person would try to bend the other’s fingers back until they cried, “Mercy!” It could be quite painful. I don’t know if kids still play that or not.

Unlike that childhood game, God doesn’t bend our fingers back until we cry out for mercy. He shows us mercy the moment we cry out to Jesus. The Greek word used here for “shown mercy” is the verb eleéō. Do you remember what mercy is? Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Because of our disobedience, we deserve judgment and hell. But because of our confession of sin and obedience to Christ, we have been shown mercy.

APPLICATION

I think the application for us is obvious. Obedience equals mercy. Disobedience equals no mercy. I have a nephew who chose to illustrate mercy to his oldest child when she was small. She had been disobedient about something and when caught, her dad took her in his lap and said, “You know what you did deserves a spanking. But I am going to show you mercy.” He didn’t realize her younger brother was watching all of this and listening. A few days later the brother disobeyed and was facing a spanking. When the dad took him in his arms, he cried out, “Show me mercy! Show me mercy!”

Are we that way? Do we disobey God and then cry out for mercy? That’s not what God does. He extends mercy because of our repentance and confession of sin. Strong’s Concordance says this word “expresses the active bestowal of mercy – an outward movement of compassion that alleviates misery.” Have you been miserable before? I can recount a few times in my life that has been the case.

The Hebrew equivalent of eleéō is racham (to show compassion). Can you think of a few times that was what the Lord did for Israel? Time and time again, we see that shown by God to the nation of Israel when they repented and sought His face. All we need to do today is the same. We need to seek His face. He is listening and actively ready to show us the mercy we desire.

Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy shown to me even when I don’t deserve it.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Empty rural road with 'No Return' sign on the side
Bible, Covenant, Irrevocable, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

IRREVOCABLE

ROMANS 11:29

“for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

When I hear the word “irrevocable” I think about a legal contract. Those come in all forms and have different components. One kind is an irrevocable trust which is defined as “a legal arrangement where the grantor permanently transfers ownership of assets to a trust, managed by a trustee for beneficiaries, which cannot be easily changed or terminated.” This is meant to be a permanent arrangement.

Paul uses the Greek word ametamelétos here and one other time in 2 Corinthians 7:10. It is not used anywhere else in the New Testament. The word comes “from a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of metamellomai (change of heart or mind); irrevocable — without repentance, not to be repented of.” Another source I looked at said, “The adjective conveys an unalterable state—an action, decision, or outcome that will never be rescinded or lamented. In Scripture it serves to highlight either the unwavering character of God’s purposes or the settled peace that accompanies genuine repentance.”

APPLICATION

The use of it in 2 Corinthians 7:10 really applies to us. Just look at what Paul writes here. “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Our repentance for salvation is a one-time event that cannot be revoked. Isn’t that amazing? Just as His covenant with Israel is irrevocable, so is His covenant with us. Hallelujah!

God is not some fickle god who changes his mind whenever he wants. God knows exactly what He is doing and why He is doing it. He doesn’t have to rethink His decisions or actions. Everything He does is irrevocable because He is just and holy. Because He is those things, we can trust Him to never abandon us or cast us aside.

You may have entered into some agreements which you thought were irrevocable. Take marriage, for instance. What God designed to last a lifetime often ends in divorce. No agreement that is manmade is irrevocable. Only God’s agreements are. Have you entered in that agreement with Him? He promises to always be with you and protect you. He will see you through those hard times He allows to make you more like His Son. Trust His irrevocability!

I am eternally thankful that my covenant with You is binding forever.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Beloved, Bible, Enemies, Forgiveness, Gospel, Promises, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

ENEMIES AND BELOVED?

ROMANS 11:28

“In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers;”

How is it possible to love your enemy? It isn’t possible on our own. But you have read where Jesus tells us to do just that. In Matthew 5:43-45, we read His instructions He gave the people during the Sermon on the Mount. “43 ‘You have heard that it was said, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.” 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’”

Paul had undoubtedly heard these words spoken by Jesus, either through word of mouth or perhaps he was present in the crowd listening in (this is pure conjecture on my part). But He also knew of God’s election of the Jewish nation and how much God loved them. Let’s take a look a look at the two words used to describe them in today’s verse – “enemies” and “beloved.”

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul here which is translated “enemies” is exthrós, which HELPS Word-studies describes as “someone openly hostile (at enmity), animated by deep-seated hatred. Exthros implies irreconcilable hostility, proceeding out of a ‘personal’ hatred bent on inflicting harm (DNTT).” This word is used to describe Satan and his demonic army of fallen angels who are bent on our destruction. That’s a pretty strong word to describe the unbelieving Jews. But this was referring to their actions toward the believing Gentiles. Paul knew this all too well. Remember he was on the way to Damascus to arrest and even perhaps kill followers of Christ when he met Jesus face to face.

The other word Paul uses is “beloved.” That’s the Greek word agapétos which is used to describe God’s relationship with the Jewish nation. No matter what they did, God still loved them. The Topical Lexicon says it this way. “Divine affection is not merely sentimental; it describes the covenantal bond established by the blood of Christ.” Christ’s blood was shed for the Jewish nation, even though many of them rejected it. God was still in covenant with them and sought to redeem them.

We have a choice today. We can be enemies of the cross or God’s beloved. Which do you prefer? One holds certain judgment and damnation while the other promises eternal security and living in the presence of the Lord. One invites struggles and hardship while the other gives us the power to face life’s uncertainties knowing the One Who can calm any storm. 1 John 4:7 tells us, “Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Father, I am grateful that I am one of Your beloveds. You love me with an everlasting love. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Forgiveness, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture, Sin

THE REMOVAL OF SIN

ROMANS 11:27

“‘THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.’”

When I was young, I worked in my uncle’s and my cousin’s tobacco fields. That was hot, hard work. But it was also dirty work. I would come home at the end of a long day completely filthy. The tar from those tobacco leaves stains your hands and ruins your clothes. I found that green tomatoes could cut the grim from my hands. Getting clean from a day’s work was work in itself. I am so glad I am not responsible for getting myself clean spiritually. That’s God’s job.

Paul reflects on God’s covenant with His chosen nation today and seems to allude to Jeremiah31:33-34. What he writes in verse 27 of Romans 11 is more of a paraphrase than a direct quote. Those verses say, “33 ‘For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ declares the LORD: ‘I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 35 They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, “Know the LORD,” for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,’ declares the LORD, ‘for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.’”

APPLICATION

What great words from the Lord to His people. Paul reminds us that God is a covenant-keeping God. He will never leave His children wanting. He still pursues the Jewish nation today. One day every knee will bow to Jesus, even those who are a part of the Jewish nation. He cleansed them once through the blood sacrifices and cleanses them today through the blood of His Lamb, Jesus Christ.

The same Greek word for “take away” is used in Hebrews 10:4 and is a reminder of the futility of those old blood sacrifices. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” The word means to cut off take away. Isaiah 43:25 goes even further in this description of the removal of our sins. “‘I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.’” He removes them and remembers them no more. Wow!

Give the Lord praise today for this wonderful gift. You can probably remember your sins, can’t you? But God chooses to remember them no more. Once you come to Jesus, all He sees is His blood covering you. Can I encourage you to look at other’s sins the same way? Pray for them. Forgive them if they have harmed you. Place them in God’s hands. Only He can remove the stain of those sins, but we can move past them through His power.

O Lord, there are no words to express my gratitude for the forgiveness of my sins.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Scripture, Deliverance, Messiah, Cross, Jesus, Ungodly, Romans, Isaiah

AS IT IS WRITTEN

ROMANS 11:26

“and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: ‘THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”

I have been writing devotional blogs just about every day since January 2016. I just surpassed 3700 blogs. This was the result of having gone through the Every Man A Warrior study which taught me how to journal in my personal Quiet Time. It has become second nature now. I normally write the devotional and schedule it to post the next day on this blog site. Perhaps one day people will continue reading these short devotionals to encourage them in their walk with Christ and in their study of the Word.

Those little words, “as it is written,” are more powerful than you may first think. This particular quotation from Isaiah 59:20 is a prophetic statement pointing directly at Jesus. Zion was an area of Israel that became acquainted as Jerusalem, the city of David. Zion became a reference to Israel as a nation. Even today Jews are called Zionists by people who want to insult them. They don’t even realize that is a compliment. The point, though, of this passage was to point to the eventual arrival of the Messiah, which Jesus fulfilled.

APPLICATION

Great history lesson, Carl, but how does this apply to me? Glad you asked. Look at a couple of words Paul uses to quote Isaiah – deliverer and ungodliness. Has Christ delivered you? I hope so. I pray you have been rescued from the consequences of your sin. I pray you have been delivered from the wrath of God through the shed blood of Christ. This Messiah that was sent over 2000 years ago is our deliverer just like He was and is the deliverer for Israel.

And the verse says He will remove all ungodliness from Jacob. The purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection was so that we too could walk godly before the Father. Ungodliness simply means the absence of what is godly. The Topical Lexicon gives us this statement about the Greek word used here. “Asebeia denotes the absence of reverence toward God that inevitably issues in conduct contrary to His character and commands. It is not merely irreligion but an active, willful disregard for divine majesty.”

When we come to Christ, all that disregard vanishes. We recognize all He has done for us and bow before His majesty. Instead of disregard we show an awe and reverence for His glory. Our Messiah came centuries ago for us. He had you in mind when He hung on that cross. His blood washed your sins away. It has been written! God loves you. Now, go spread the news. 

Thank You, Father, for delivering me from my life of ungodliness. You have cleansed me for eternity.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Callous, Calloused, Hard, Heart, Rejection, Return, Romans, Scripture, Unforgiveness

A PARTIAL HARDENING

ROMANS 11:25

“For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;”

We have all known some hard-hearted people in our lives. They refuse any expressions of love you give and, if they feel they have been offended by you (whether or not it actually happened), they write you off. That makes it impossible to have any kind of relationship with them. This hurts even more when it’s family. Hard-heartedness is not of God. Can’t be. He is love and wants His children to love each other.

Paul uses a Greek word in verse 25 that is only used two other times in the New Testament (Mark 3:5 and Ephesians 4:18). We will take a look at those in a minute. Here in today’s verse, it is referring to the Jews who had rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in favor of their religion which they felt gave them special privileges as God’s chosen people. God allowed this “partial hardening” for a reason – to open up the message to the Gentiles. We’ve been looking at that over the past several verses. The Greek word is ṓrōsis. HELPS Word-studies says, this is defined as “hardness (from pōros, a kind of marble, used later of a callus formed on fractured bones)…insensibility, numbness, obtuseness, dulling of the faculty of perception, deadness.”

APPLICATION

In Mark 3:5 the word is used to describe the hardness Jesus saw in the Pharisees’ reaction to Him healing the man with the withered hand. In Ephesians 4:18 Paul uses the word again to describe Gentiles who are “excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;”

But here in today’s verse, ṓrōsis is combined with an adjective, meros, which means a piece or portion. This implies that the hardness exhibited by the Jews that was allowed by God was not intended to be a full, complete or final hardness. God always has intended for the Jewish nation to return to Him. We saw that over and over in the Old Testament. Now, with the message of salvation completed by Jesus, He is desirous of their return, thus the partial hardness.

Never give up on a hard-hearted person. Continue to pray for them. You may not be able to have a relationship how, but God can still move mountains. My wife and I have been praying about a matter for some time now that fits this verse so well. We continue to pray. We continue to believe. And in His time (that’s the hard part, isn’t it?) He will move hearts from hardness to tenderness. I can’t wait to see the final result. How about you?

Give me faith to believe You are working behind the scene in all the hard-hearted people of the world. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Grafted olive tree branch tied with twine in an orchard
Bible, Grafted, Promises, Redemption, Return, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

THE RETURN

ROMANS 11:24

“For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”

I can’t help but think about the story of the prodigal son when I read today’s verse in Romans. You know the story. The younger son of a man demanded his inheritance so he could go away and basically squander it. He rejected his father and his family and clung to worldly things. How did that end for him? In a pigpen wanting to eat what they were eating. So, the Word says, “he came to himself” and decided to return home. He was welcomed with open arms and a feast.

Paul tells us in verse 24 above that those Jews who have rejected Jesus will be welcomed back into the “olive tree” of God if they return. They will be welcomed back with open arms. They will be grafted back into “their own olive tree.” There’s room for all. Isn’t that amazing? God is waiting to welcome all who have turned away. He does not hold grudges.

APPLICATION

What’s all this talk about an olive tree? The Topical Lexicon gives us a picture of this symbolism. “Paul draws on this well-known imagery to explain God’s redemptive program (Romans 11:17–24). Israel is the cultivated olive whose nourishing root is the patriarchal covenant promise; believing Gentiles are the wild shoot graciously grafted in.” It goes on to say, “The illustration safeguards two truths: (1) the continuing faithfulness of God to ethnic Israel—“’how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree’ (verse 24); and (2) the unity of Jew and Gentile in one redeemed people, sharing one root and one life. The horticultural image repudiates replacement theology while urging humility, perseverance and hope.”

I know that was a long quote, but I felt it gave a clear picture of the imagery Paul was using in talking about the Jews and Gentiles. Isn’t it great that Gentile believers are now knit together with believing Jews into the same root and tree. The root of Jesse is Jesus. We are joined for eternity because of Jesus.

Do you know someone who has turned their back on God and walked away? It is never too late for them to return. Let me rephrase that. As long as someone still has breath and the Lord has not called His church home, there is time for them to return. God will welcome them home, just like He does the Jew who finds Jesus. As followers of Christ, it is our calling to bring as many as we can with us to our eternal home. Tell His story and let Jesus do the calling.

Oh Lord, thank You for grafting me into Your tree and for “regrafting” any Jew who returns to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Wooden sign reading 'God is Able!' in front of New Covenant Community Church
Bible, Scripture, Power, Belief, Strength, Romans, Able

GOD IS ABLE

ROMANS 11:23

“And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.”

If you have followed the Lord for any length of time, you know He is able to do whatever He wants whenever He wants however He wants. God is infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, etc. You know all that. Why is it if we believe God can handle our eternity but we doubt His ability to handle our daily lives? Come on now, you’ve done that. So have I. Paul writes “for God is able” to remind us all that He is still involved in our lives.

The verse today was written specifically to remind the readers that if the Jews who had rejected Jesus turned to Him, they too would be grafted back into the root. God had cut them off because of their unbelief, but if they turned that into belief, they were back in. That simple. Think about that. God cut them off but will attach once again to His family tree. Isn’t that awesome?

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “able” is a word I am sure you have heard before. It is dunatos defined by Strong’s Concordance as “powerful or capable (literally or figuratively).” What is the biggest challenge you have before you right now? You may be facing an unsurmountable financial crisis. God is able. It may be a health issue that doctors told you there is no hope for recovery. God is able.

If God chooses to intervene in those areas of our lives, He is more than able to do the impossible. You’ve seen it happen and so have I. God cares about the smallest details of our lives. Remember the sparrows? He said not one would fall without His knowledge. I am not a “name it and claim it” kind of believer. But I do believe He tells me to call out to Him with my requests for myself and others. Do I get discouraged sometimes when He doesn’t act quickly enough or in the way I want? Sure, but I still know He is able.

Lay your burdens down before the throne today. He is waiting to pick those up. Sadly, many of us keep trudging down the road dragging our bundle of miseries when He is just waiting for us to call for His help. Do you believe He loves you? Do you believe He wants what is best for you? He is able. Never doubt that. He is the Master of the universe. He is the creator of all there is. That includes you! Trust His ability, not your own. Amen?

Father, I know You are able to do whatever I ask of You. Help me ask according to Your will and not my own.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Older woman smiling and man with a serious expression standing indoors
Bible, Gentiles, Israel, Kindness, Production, Pruning, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

KINDNESS AND SEVERITY

ROMANS 11:22

“See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off.”

When I hear the word “kindness,” certain people’s faces come to mind. Some people just have that gift or should I say choose to exercise it well. And when I think of the word “severity,” other faces pop up. Those I don’t like so much. They are not much fun to be around.

Paul is still in the midst of describing the relationship of unbelieving Jews as compared to the believing Gentiles. One was pruned away to make room for the other. The words Paul uses in today’s verse, “kindness” and “severity” further paint the picture for us. Let’s look at what Paul was referring to by using these two words.

APPLICATION

First, Paul uses the Greek word xrēstótēs which HELPS Word-studies describes this way, “(useful kindness) refers to meeting real needs, in God’s way, in His timing (fashion).” It is listed in Galatians 5:22 as a fruit of the Spirit. So, we know this must come from God, right? Paul uses it three times in this verse alone. He must have wanted to drive a point home. Keep in mind that the idea of a kind god was foreign to Gentiles. Even most of the Jews tended to believe more in a harsh God rather than a kind one.

But how about that other word, “severity”? Surely, that isn’t from God. Actually, the Greek word isn’t as severe as it sounds. I need to share Barnes’ description of this word. “The word ‘severity’ now suggests sometimes the idea of harshness, or even of cruelty. (Webster.) But nothing of this kind is conveyed in the original word here. It properly denotes ‘cutting off,’ apotomian from apotemnō, to cut off; and is commonly applied to the act of the gardener or vine-dresser in trimming trees or vines, and cutting off the decayed or useless branches. Here it refers to the act of God in cutting off or rejecting the Jews as useless branches; and conveys no idea of injustice, cruelty, or harshness.”

If you just looked at the process of pruning, it does look severe. It looks like you’re cutting off all the good stuff. But this act gives room for new growth. In this instance, it was for the engrafting of the Gentiles into the root plant. Paul is making sure the Gentiles know their place and how they got there. He also wants them to know it is just as important to stay in that relationship. The same applies to us, brothers and sisters. Enjoy the kindness of God, but do not confuse kindness with meekness. God will hold us all accountable for our actions should we choose to ignore Him.

Father, thank You for Your kindness toward me and for the pruning You do to make me more productive.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Police officers handcuff and escort several individuals along a sidewalk with police vehicles nearby
Bible, Forgiveness, Holy, Jesus, Redemption, Romans, Scripture, Spared

WILL NOT SPARE YOU

ROMANS 11:21

“for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.”

Have you ever been spared a punishment for something you deserved? We probably all have at some point in our lives. But there are also occasions when we are not spared and have to suffer what comes. If you are hanging out with the wrong crowd and do something that is unlawful, you can expect to not be spared by law enforcement. My wife and I see that all the time on our favorite Police reality show. All the talking in the world won’t get you off. You are now facing the consequences.

Paul warns the Gentiles in today’s verse that they can expect to be treated the same way God treats the unbelieving Jews if they turn from Him. He is not going to spare them either. God is just and holy and cannot simply ignore rebellion. Paul has been telling us that the Jews who rejected Jesus would be dealt with by God. But now he tells the Gentiles the same. The old saying “What is good for the goose is good for the gander” definitely applies here.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse well. “If God did not refrain from rejecting the Jews who became unbelievers, assuredly he will not refrain from rejecting you in the same circumstances. It may be supposed that he will be quite as ready to reject the ingrafted branches, as to cast off those which belonged to the parent stock. The situation of the Gentiles is not such as to give them any security over the condition of the rejected Jew.”

In 2 Peter 2:4-5 we see this word for “spare” used twice in a most definitive way. “4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” Whoa! And you think you should be spared for disobedience? I think not.

We saw the same word used earlier in Romans 8:32 when Paul wrote that God “did not spare His Own Son.” Sin determines God’s response. Because Jesus Who was sinless became as sin for us by taking on all our sins, God could not spare His life. He gave His life as a ransom for us. We were spared judgment because God did not spare Him. Double Whoa! Aren’t you grateful? I sure am. Therefore, live your lives as being worthy of that.

Father God, thank You for sparing me from Your judgment through the blood of Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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