Reflections on Roamans 11:29 11:33

The Basics

Romans is a letter written by St. Paul to the Church in Rome.  Scholars all currently agree on this one. It is the longest of the letters of Paul that we have.  It is the 6th book in the new testament.  More than any other book it teaches us Paul's point of view.

The overwhelming theme of Romans is that salvation is for Jew and Gentile alike.   The letter was probably written when Paul was staying in Corinth with Gaius.  We know this because he mentions Erastus, who was a council member in Corinth, and a convert to Christianity.  Paul probably didn't actually pen the letter, he employed a scribe by this point in his ministry.

Because of the length of, and fullness of the text, we know with some certainty that the book was written in the winter of 55 AD or 56 AD.   Before the gathering of the saints in Jerusalem.   The letter was taken to Rome, most likely, by Phoebe, a deacon, who lived east of Corinth and who traveled to Rome.

In Romans 11, Paul makes clear his grasp of the old testament, quoting 1 Kings, Isaiah, Job, and Deuteronomy.

29: God's gifts and calling can't be taken back

So how do you know if you are called?  What are the gifts you have from God?  It says they can't be taken back.  Probably should say won't be taken back.  You can lose your gifts of your own choices, or by sickness or tragedy.   But God won't take them from you.   So I had a gift.  A miracle I had prayed for... and I lost it.  I had true love.  The real deal.  So how did I lose it?   Simple, I lost it.  I had some challenges in my life.  And rather than turning to her and turning to God.  I withdrew into a shell of worry, and self loathing, and doubt.   And who wants to be around that?  And overtime we grew apart.  Or should I say, she grew apart from me,  I took her love for granted.   NEVER TAKE YOUR GIFTS FOR GRANTED.   Pray daily thanking god for the gifts you have been blessed with.

33;  God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep! They are as mysterious as his judgments, and they are as hard to track as his paths!

Ok, this is a statement of wonder and awe.  But in the statement is the idea that you can not understand fully what God is up to.   He is beyond our understanding.  Once again, a little frail as an argument.  When something happens you don't understand you can simply say... well they are a mystery...  That is not what Paul means here.  Paul is expressing that you can never understand the reasons and fullness of the blessings and gifts you have been given.   So once again don't take them for granted. they will not be taken back, but you can lose them.   Paul is arguing in this chapter that God has not rejected his people.  He is pointing out that it is futile to try to understand God's judgement and his gifts.   That all you really need to do is have faith.  Well have faith expressed in prayer and gratitude.