QT 21/06/2024 Fri. Romans 11. Unity: Similar humility & thankfulness to God. 合一：同样的谦卑和对上帝的感恩。

QT 21/06/2024 Fri. Romans 11. Unity: Similar humility & thankfulness to God.
READ
http://www.esvbible.org/rom11
LISTEN
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Romans.11

If you are about to conclude that any person is beyond redemption, remember that there is only one Saviour, Jesus Christ. Not any one of us.

Rom 11:1-6 refers to Elijah and his encounter with Baal. When Elijah remarked that "I alone am left" to fight for God (Rom 11:3, 1Kgs 18:22, 1Kgs 19:10), God revealed the "seven thousand" that He has kept for himself (Rom 11:4). Just look at the numbers:

(1) Elijah - 1 prophet (1Kg 18-19);
(2) Baal has 450 prophets (1Kg 18:19);
(3) Asherah has 400 prophets (1Kg 18:19);
(4) Obadiah hid 100 of God's prophets (1Kg 18:13);
(5) God has reserved 7000 prophets in Israel (1Kg 19:18).

Elijah focused on items 2 & 3, but ignored items 4. Item 5 is UNKNOWN to Elijah. The UNKNOWN resources of God (the 7000) OVERWHELM the rest (<1000). Elijah should not think he is the only one left to fight for God. Our perceptions and knowledge are limited.

By focusing on the 7000, Paul is using the Old Testament text of 1Kg 18-19 to APPLY to the Gentiles. He reminds the Gentiles in Rome NOT TO REJECT the Jews there on the FALSE assumption that there are no God fearers among the Jews, or being proud that it's a Gentiles' world only now after Pentecost (Acts 2).

APPLICATION (1): Get rid of the "only me" superhero mentality. "Do not be arrogant, but be afraid" (Rom 11:20). Do not be "conceited" (Rom 11:25). The reason is clear: "For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you" (Rom 11:21).

In view of Rom 11:11, Gentiles must be thankful for receiving salvation. But do not gloat over the natural branches that seem to have been chopped off from the tree for now.

Paul is still hopeful: "And in this way all Israel will be saved" (Rom 11:26) because God will still keep His promises (Rom 11:28).

APPLICATION (2): Acknowledge that God's wisdom, knowledge, judgments and paths are beyond our understanding often, including the episode of how Jews and Gentiles can come to Christ (Rom 11:33-36). "To him be glory forever! Amen" (Rom 11:36). Be thankful always for what we have in Christ.

星期五 2024年6月21日 今日读经：罗马书11章. 合一： 同样的谦卑和对上帝的感恩。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Rom/11/
听音频罗马书11章
https://www.bible.com/bible/41/rom.11.cnvs

记住，当你想要判定某个人无可救药时，不要忘了救主只有一个，那就是耶稣基督。不是我们任何一个人。

罗11:1-6说的是以利亚和巴力的事迹。当以利亚说“只剩下我一个人”为主战斗(罗11:3,王上18:22,王上19:10)，神透露祂已为自己留下了“七千人”(罗11:4)。让我们来看看这些数目字:

(1) 以利亚--一个先知(王上18-19);

(2) 巴力有450个先知(王上18:19);

(3) 亚舍拉有400个先知(王上18:19);

(4) 俄巴底藏了100个神的先知(王上18:13);

(5) 神在以色列留下了7000个先知(王上19:18)。

以利亚只专注于第二项和第三项，却忽略了第四项。第五项是以利亚所不知道的。神那不明的资源(那7000人)就足以胜过其他的(少过1000人)。以利亚不应该认为只剩下他一个人留下来为神打仗。我们的看法和知识都是有限的。

保罗聚焦在那7000人，他引用旧约里王上18-19的经文并应用在外族人身上。他提醒在罗马的外族人不可因为错误地假设犹太人中没有敬畏神的便拒绝了犹太人，又或者在五旬节(使徒行传2章)之后以为只有外族人的世界而骄傲起来。

应用(1):除去那“为我独尊”的超级英雄的心态。“不可心高气傲，倒要存畏惧的心”(罗11:20)。不要“自以为聪明”(罗11:25)。理由很简单：“神既然不顾惜那本来的树枝，也不会顾惜你”(罗11:21)。

就如罗11:11所言，外族人应当为得到的救恩心存感激。但也不要因为本来的树枝现在被砍断了就幸灾乐祸。

保罗还是心存盼望的：“这样，全以色列都要得救”(罗11:26)因为神仍然会守住祂的应许(罗11:28)。

应用(2):承认神的智慧、知识、判断和道路常常是超乎我们的理解的，包括犹太人和外族人如何能够认识基督(罗11:33-36)这件事。“愿荣耀归给他，直到永远。阿们”(罗11:36)。要常常为自己在基督里所得到的感恩 。