ROMANS 11:11-16 BLESSING FROM FAILURE Even though Israel as a nation stumbled and fell, there has been an on-going blessing to the world that came through them. Gentiles do not have to become Jewish proselytes to come into the favor and blessings of God. Those who are not from God's chosen earthly people are able to come into the Church which is the Body of Christ, along with Jews who individually confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The Church is composed of people, both Jews and Gentiles, who are equals in God's heavenly kingdom.
Gentile believers should not consider themselves superior in any way because Israel stumbled and rejected Christ. Israel has to suffer the consequences of that action of not receiving Him. It is not as "a people" but as one of the "whosever will may come" group, that we are placed and accepted in Christ. There is no reason to look down on, or in any way despise those who are in the kingdom of God. We have all been brought into this unified Body by God's grace alone. May we never look down on anyone in the Body of Christ because we think we have a place of special privilege. All of us are "accepted in the Beloved," and that is our only way of acceptance by God.
The first ones to be accepted by God were before Israel was even called. We all go back to the root of faith alone upon which the promises of God are given. Through Abraham came the promises of One who would bless the world. From that family of Israel, the blessing of being saved by grace and placed into the Church of God has come to the believing people of all nations. Far be it from any of us who are saints of God to think ourselves superior to any other of God's people today.
We didn't have a claim on all the promises of God. It wasn't to us who are Gentiles that has come our blessed Lord. Israel in unbelief turned away, His offered grace rejected. Now blessing from that rooted Source is offered without exception.
History records the story of God chosen earthly people. Tragedy has followed them in sequel after sequel. But from that despised nation came blessings, many yet untold. The eternal ages will testify that God's works of grace will unfold.
Though Israel stumbled and fell, there came blessings that remain. Salvation is offered in the Gospel to everyone in Jesus' name. He from the tribe of Judah brought blessing to all men. As the King eternal there will be a glorious kingdom-reign.
It never would be wise to think, we are better than they Who are a chosen earthly people, who from God's will did stray. Through them there came the promises, the apostles came from them. It is on that foundation laid, that our blessings did begin.
Now we are living stones are built upon that base. Through those chosen people has come the words of faith. In the Church God is building, none is superior to the others. Not just innate stones we are, but a family of sisters and brothers.
No one is greater than others, as body-members we are one. What we have in common is we are all accepted in God's Son. There is no place in the Body for arrogance or pride. All of us are branches in the Vine as we in Christ abide.
"Father, this morning I am scanning across the whole of this age and am impressed with the greatness of the Body into which I have been placed as a living stone. I see the perfections of the Chief Corner Stone. Then there appears the foundation of those Jewish apostles and prophets. On top of them is the whole building of fitted, living, praising, serving stones forming a dwelling place for God. What glory, what honor, what grace to think that I am a part of that great company! Hallelujah! Amen."