25My friends, I don't want you Gentiles to be too proud of yourselves. So I will explain the mystery of what has happened to the people of Israel. Some of them have become stubborn, and they will stay like that until the complete number of you Gentiles has come in. 26In this way all of Israel will be saved, as the Scriptures say,
"From Zion someone will come
to rescue us.
Then Jacob's descendants
will stop being evil.
27This is what the Lord
has promised to do
when he forgives their sins."
28The people of Israel are treated as God's enemies, so that the good news can come to you Gentiles. But they are still the chosen ones, and God loves them because of their famous ancestors. 29God doesn't take back the gifts he has given or forget about the people he has chosen.
30At one time you Gentiles rejected God. But now Israel has rejected God, and you have been shown mercy. 31And because of the mercy shown to you, they will also be shown mercy. 32All people have disobeyed God, and that's why he treats them as prisoners. But he does this, so that he can have mercy on all of them.
33Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does?
34"Has anyone known
the thoughts of the Lord
or given him advice?
35Has anyone loaned
something to the Lord
that must be repaid?"
36Everything comes from the Lord. All things were made because of him and will return to him. Praise the Lord forever! Amen.
Every single member of the Body of Christ has, by faith, turned from evil and decided to obey God. 100%. The world doesn't really see it that way because the world rolls everybody that claims to be a Christian into that number. But...you and I know. It's not really that amazing because, by definition, faith in Christ is what is required to join the Body of Christ.
What "is" amazing is the fact that God, at some point in history, is going to open the hearts of every Jew and they will turn from evil...100% of them. Considering faith is not a prerequisite for being Jewish I'd say God is planning something never seen before.
Paul is right...being Jewish is very special indeed.
Sound unbelievable? Well, Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does?
This leaves us only two possible courses of action. We pray (and work) for the salvation of all the Jews who will die before God performs this mighty feat...or we pray that God will act before another of His chosen passes into eternity without Christ.
Live boldly out there today...
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