Goodness and Severity. Romans 11:19-24 V.19. There is no reason for Gentile believers to be proud or ever look down on the Jews. We too must fear lest we fail and fall through unbelief. Unbelieving Jews can come to God if they repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. Our heritage or culture is no basis for salvation. At this present time when God is calling out from all the people of the world, "a people for His name," His goodness is reaching way beyond Israel to those "whosoever’s" in the world who will come as guilty and lost sinners to Christ for salvation. All such people find their new life of faith coming from Him who as the Son of God, came in the flesh from the seed of Abraham.
V.20. We who are Gentiles find the Source of our new life from that Root. So even though Israel nationally refused to accept the Lord Jesus as the Christ, many of them as individuals are branches in the root of Abraham. These "natural branches" (Jews) along with the "wild" (Gentile) branches have both been grafted into the One who is from the root stock of Israel. For we who are Gentiles to think we have a more favored place than believing Jews, puts us in danger ourselves. Any people who show hatred or reject God's earthly people, is in jeopardy of being cut off themselves. Whenever our nation has not backed up Israel, it seems like we are attacked by the very forces of nature in devastating tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires.
V.21. Our salvation depends entirely on the goodness and kindness of God. God is kind toward Christians whether they are Jews or Gentiles but He is “stern” (severity) toward those who are unbelievers. In a day to come, God’s kindness is toward Israel if and when they come in faith to Him. Gentiles who won’t put their faith in Him will experience God’s severity.
V.22.How much more careful should those of us who have been given eternal life in Christ, be when it comes to our attitude towards those from Israel. At this time of God's dealings with mankind, He is calling out a people to bear His name as a bride does that of her husband. God is making of both believing Gentiles and believing Jews, "one new man." In this there is neither Jew nor Gentile, "but Church of God." Israel as a nation is at present in unbelief, even though they have become a nation. They won't be "grafted" back as a nation until the Lord Jesus reigns supreme on earth. Israel still has some terrible times coming during the Tribulation, "the time of Jacob's trouble."
V.23. The "wild" branch is in danger of being broken off now because of the rejection by Christendom to the truth of God's Word and will. The Gentiles have also resisted and rebelled against God and have designed their own ways of religious activity that is totally foreign to God's revealed will. God has been good to the Gentiles and during the "times of the Gentiles" millions have been brought by God's grace, along with believing Jews into the blessing of being a "kingdom of priests."
V.24. God is able to graft the Jews back into the Root, Jesus Christ, when they repent. He restores and gladly receives them as a father receives a wayward child who returns home in humility and repentance. God accepted unbelieving Gentiles by grace and He will certain welcome those of His own chosen earthly people who will come to Him and put their faith in Christ. We should never look down in any way on the Jews, or anyone else for that matter, because “we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “There is none good, no not one.” Unity in the body of Christ will be a characteristic of any assembly whether in be in ancient Rome or where the Lord’s people gather together in His name today. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Root from which we all have received eternal life.
But something terrible and of lasting consequence has happened. Gentiles have gone about to establish their own righteousness, following the same path as Israel took. Gentiles have formed their own styles of priesthood and the "doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" is rampant all over Christendom. Great religious buildings have been built to "point people to God" rather than listen to what God has said in His Word. The "wild" branch is in great danger of being cut off, for God will not tolerate men, no matter who they are, rejecting His Son. Israel is in blindness presently it is true. But it seems like the "fullness of the Gentiles" in this day of grace, is about finished.