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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; and so all Israel will be saved. Romans 11:25-26 The Apostle Paul passionately shares the prophecy Jesus revealed during His Olivet Discourse. This prophecy is filled with detailed insights, more than we can grasp in this devotional. What Paul emphasizes is the revelation of a mystery, understanding how damaging ignorance can be. He encourages his audience to lean on God’s revelation instead of personal opinions, guiding believers out of the darkness. The inspiring truth here is that God is not finished with His people. He will usher in a new era of redemptive history when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, along with His chosen ones from Israel. This will embody the fullness of His kingdom.

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. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. 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? Romans 11:22-24 Paul’s narrative should be understood within the context of the recurring theme of redemption throughout the Bible: rescue, redemption, and restoration. All believers often find themselves drifting away from God due to disobedience. Therefore, preserving those sanctified by God is solely an act of His grace and mercy. We usually emphasize God’s loving kindness but overlook His justice. As a result, believers should maintain a constant sense of reverent fear for the One to whom they owe their rescue, redemption, and restoration—the One who created everything from nothing with just a word.

If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 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. Romans 11:16-22 The context provided by Paul emphasizes that all of God’s chosen people are part of His kingdom, whether they are Jews or non-Jews. However, Paul specifically warns non-Jews not to become overly confident, thinking they are more connected to God simply because He has bestowed His grace upon them. This is a common temptation among believers: becoming the “grace police.” We cannot decide or influence who receives God’s grace. Instead of expressing arrogance, we should remain in awe, with reverent humility, recognizing the privilege of receiving grace from a holy and almighty God.

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Far from it! But by their wrongdoing salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their wrongdoing proves to be riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry if somehow I may move my own people to jealousy and save some of them. For if their rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?  Romans 11:11-15 There are two important points to consider: First, Paul is not referring to the modern geopolitical nation of Israel but to those who inherit God’s promise to Abraham. This means that the Jews who have stumbled over His grace will not remain in that state indefinitely. Second, the Gentiles who have received God’s grace are now included among those chosen by God. Both of these points are significant in God’s overarching plan of redemption.

What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day.” And David says, “May their table become a snare and a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them. May their eyes be darkened to see not, And bend their backs continually.” Romans 11:7-10 This is a classic example of what happens when we try to achieve righteousness through the law or any biblical command. We will always fail at some point. We will stumble over grace, believing we can earn God’s favor through our efforts. As a result, our understanding remains clouded, our ability to hear is hindered, and we find ourselves repeatedly returning to works- based righteousness instead of the righteousness that comes from the finished work of Christ.

But as for Israel, He says, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a disobedient and obstinate people.” I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace. Romans 10:21-11:6 Paul’s writing emphasizes the significance of the Gospel and the person and work of Jesus Christ. Even though God’s people often disobey His law, He still maintains a remnant who He has chosen to follow Him. God’s choice is made solely by His grace. If we try to combine our works with His grace, it ceases to be grace.

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.    For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. Romans 10:1-2 In this passage, the Apostle Paul recognizes the deep passion that his Jewish brothers and sisters have for God. However, he highlights that this passion is lacking in knowledge and understanding. Their focus on personal performance has caused them to overlook the beauty of God’s grace, which has led them to stumble. Similarly, many believers today may not realize they are making the same mistake. In their efforts to maintain or validate their faith, they often attempt, through a lack of understanding, to add their works to the gospel. R.C. Sproul once said, “The fire in a believer’s heart must not only be heat but also light.”

For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:3-4 Paul explained to the believers in Rome—just as he does to you and me—that righteousness is not something we achieve through our actions; it is not accomplished in the practical sense. Instead, the righteousness granted to believers is positional. This means that a believer’s status before God is not based on their own deeds but on what Christ has already accomplished for them.

For Moses writes of the righteousness that is based on the Law, that the person who performs them will live by them.    But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” Romans 10:5-7 Paul’s thought may seem a bit cryptic at first glance, but the message is straightforward. Believers cannot guarantee their righteousness before God through their obedience, just as they cannot bring Jesus down from heaven or raise Him from the dead. Only God can accomplish such a feat. Paul then adds this, But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:8-10 Paul emphasizes to his readers that the person and work of Christ are fundamental to our justification and sanctification. This truth is right before us. However, we should pay close attention to Paul’s words: “For with the heart, a person believes, resulting in righteousness.” Following this belief, a confession of faith is made. In other words, an altar call or reciting the sinner’s prayer does not achieve righteousness; these actions are fleeting. Only God can change a person’s heart so that they will believe. That, my friends, is grace.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13 These verses emphasize that our faith in salvation goes beyond mere theology or intellectual understanding. While knowledge is essential, true faith is deeply rooted in our very being—flesh, blood, and bone. When believers transition from this life to the next, they can have confidence that there will be no shame, for their hope has not been in vain.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 The context of these verses shows that Paul is discussing our heartfelt call to the Lord for salvation, which requires a transformation from God. From this perspective, God’s choice is based solely on His will, rather than on any distinctions we might make based on our worldview.

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but the righteousness that is by faith;  however, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:31-33 Many of us stumble over Christ just as the Israelites did. We often struggle to grasp the idea of entering God’s grace unless we feel like we have contributed something ourselves. After all, we believe our “good deeds” must make some difference, right? It may surprise you to learn that over 85 percent of Christian churches convey, in various ways, that their actions impact their standing with God. This has been the central issue that Paul addresses throughout the book of Romans: many people stumble over Christ by trying to add their own works to His. Remember, each time we do this, we diminish the significance of the cross.