Read Romans 11
Job made a bold and accurate statement in Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” “Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” (Isaiah 25:1) That plan was for a single entity firmly rooted and grounded in His love, to include all mankind, and grow throughout eternity for His glory and purpose here on earth. In Romans 11, Paul compared that entity to a cultivated olive tree.
A cultivated olive tree is intentional. It is specifically placed where it can draw from a consistent source of water, where every advantage is present for its well-being, growth, and fruitfulness. The tree is well tended, so that its fruit are a continual testimony of the quality of tree from which it came, as well as the faithful investment of its owner. On the other hand, a wild olive tree could spring up anywhere. Its survival was unpredictable at best, depending on soil conditions, water supply, weather, impact by insects, rodents and other animals. Majority of the fruit produced was wasted.
God’s intention was one “tree” – a Kingdom Tree. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus said, “I am the root!” He is securely anchored in God’s truth and love, continually draws from the Spring of Living Water, so that the “tree” can produce fruit for the glory and purpose of God. How fitting that Paul used the analogy of an olive tree, as olive oil is frequently used throughout Scripture to represent the Holy Spirit. It is the fruit of the Spirit that this Kingdom Tree is to produce. (Galatians 5:22,23)
Since creation, God’s purpose has not changed. Even after willfulness introduced sin into the world, He did not scrap His intent on one entity, one “tree.” By grace alone, He chose the people of Israel to be a unique and precious people to Him. They were to be the first limbs on this eternally growing “tree.” God planned on them being “My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and [they] shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5,6) They would be a living example of what partnering with God is all about. As priests, they were to bring God to the rest of mankind, and us to God. The fruit of their lives was to be a continual testimony of God’s love and grace. As those branches grew strong in faith and dependency on God, there would be room and opportunity for others to be grafted in. All those scrawny wild olive trees, whose fruit was wasted and living conditions precarious, would have an opportunity to be a part of God’s Kingdom “tree.”
All along God’s plan included all of us! Israel would be first. By faith in the grace of God, we would join them. But they refused to grow. They refused to allow others to join them in common faith in the one true God. They pulled away from the source of life. They weren’t bearing healthy fruit. Their priesthood became solely self-serving. The defining holiness withered as they spiritually dried out. But God’s purpose was NOT going to be thwarted. The trunk of truth remained strong, the roots intact. The branches were the problem. Because of their unbelief, “branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” (Romans 11:19)
God’s incredible grace prevails! By faith, we connect to this wonderful Kingdom Tree of Christ. Life and love, truth and grace flow up from the Root out to the least of these branches, me! By grace, we obtain what God desired and Israel sought (Romans 11:7). Now, we “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) Through trusting, depending, giving and receiving, holding fast and continually growing in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), we grow and produce lasting fruit with purpose (John 15:16).
All this is made possible by the unwavering purpose of our gracious God! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways… For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33,36)
Making It Personal
Grafting is a partnership that requires “from Him,” “through Him,” and “to Him” (Romans 11:36). The result is security, growth and fruitfulness. What does this require of us according to Jeremiah 17:7,8?
Several times in Romans 11, we are warned “do not be arrogant” (v. 18), “do not be conceited.” (v. 20) or “wise in your own estimation.” (v. 25)
- How does losing a grasp on this being grace make you susceptible to becoming arrogant?
- How does being arrogant lead to spiritually "drying out"?
- Verse 21 warns that we will not be spared the consequences. What might this include?
God wants to involve you in the grafting others into the Body of Christ, this wonderful Kingdom Tree. This includes fellow “wild branches,” as well as the re-grafting in of “natural branches” (our Jewish brothers and sisters).
- What specifically do you think He is asking of you to be part of this process?
- What will it cost you?
- Are you willing to pay it?
