The Sixth Sunday of Easter (NTA)

Romans 11:1-10

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ² God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” ⁴ But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” ⁵ So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. ⁶ But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

⁷ What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, ⁸ as it is written,

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,

eyes that would not see

and ears that would not hear,

down to this very day.”

⁹ And David says,

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,

a stumbling block and a retribution for them;

¹⁰ let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,

and bend their backs forever.”

God has not rejected his people. God's people have failed to listen to him. Most of us remember how Pharaoh's heart was hardened. But God talks about the stubbornness of his own people. The people of Israel have not listened. They have not opened their eyes. They have rejected him.

The chosen ones of God are chosen. They have been selected. God has opened up their ears. God has opened their eyes. He has given them the words that lead to eternal life. The problem comes is how do you reconcile: "The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened" with "if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace."

God has done everything for your salvation. God sent his son to pay the price for your sins. God has restored his son to life. God has raised you from dead in your trespasses to new life. God has done this as a free gift for you.

But we are stiff necked sinners. We do not want to hear god talk about our sinfulness. We do not want to accept a free gift. We always want to do things for ourselves. We do not want to allow someone else to heal us. We want to choose our own God, even if that means choosing Jesus Christ.

God chose you. He chose you and washes you clean. He chose you to make you whole. He chose you and calls you through the Holy Spirit. He does not want you to stumble or fall. He therefore makes sure it is not about you. But about Jesus Christ who died to save you.

(Watch out for double predestination. Or only predestination to Hell.)