ROMANS 11:7-10 HARDNESS How sad it is when there is an earnest search for what is right, but one insists it must be reached on their own terms and in their own way. Israel did this as a nation. They were seeking righteousness but did not get it because of stubbornness. God removed from them the ability to see and hear spiritual truths from God. Because they refused to repent at the call of God, they were unable to repent as the consequence of their rebellion.
Spiritual hardness is often seen in individuals, but it was seen nationally in Israel. It happens when people of special privilege trust in themselves and that position, rather then in God who gives it. To resist God and His free grace is like telling Him to leave you alone. In the case of Israel, He did. He left them alone. Similarly, in the people of privilege today, when they trust in themselves and their position rather than God who gave them the blessing of life itself and the "table" of privilege, they too will be hardened and unable to understand the Gospel. This appears to be happening in our country and to us as a nation. The very "table" of our blessing is becoming a snare to us as a people.
Israel turned away as a nation from their "table" of privilege and what was a blessing to them became a snare. There are "tables" today that were intended to be of special benefit to the saints of God that have misled people. To many professing Christians, the Lord's Supper has been misrepresented and has become a snare to them. The example of what happened to Israel when they insisted on the law and their traditions to be the means of pleasing God, instead of recognizing the grace of God to them when He sent His Son to be their Savior, is happening today to those who claim to be Christians by their own works and ways. The darkness and hardness of Israel is still on-going and will be until the Great King sits on David's throne. "Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" is the way individual Jews and Gentiles can avoid that soul-damning hardness.
The bitterness is real, but why is it rooted so deep? Is it because God gave laws impossible to keep - To keep us away from hope and life and love? No! Those laws were given that we might repent and look to God above.
The point of law is not that we might fulfill each one and then will be Perfect in our own strength and from our sin be free. It is to show us what is wrong and through it, what is right. And as a result of facing guilt, turn to Him who is Life and Light.
But stubbornness has set in, and men become their own idol. Idolatry and rebellion have left men in a position that is fatal. To say to God, "Leave me alone," puts one in the awful position Of being hardened by God Himself and consigned to eternal perdition.
God does offer grace to every man like He did to His chosen nation. But grace refused and walked away from leaves one under condemnation. What could have been a blessing turns out a stumbling block. And hardness closes the door of grace when one is not willing to knock.
A lesson to learn is this, never refuse God's way - The grace of God and faith in Christ is what the scriptures say Is the only way of acceptance, because there is no sin-polluted stain That comes from the sinful mind of men who have never been born again.
Hardness can be seen in some facial features when the Gospel truth is preached. It is also evident in "body-language" when "by grace alone we're saved" we teach. The set of the jaw, the physical stance all advertise the fact One who wants his own way, will not in faith only act.
The hardness of the heart of Pharaoh came when he his way did choose. And after that God hardened him when he wanted to keep the Jews As permanent slaves to do his will even though they were God's chosen nation. His hardened heart led him and all his people into condemnation.
How grievous it must be to God when men even here today Pay no attention to God and His will in all they do and say. When they do that, all He can do is to let them to their own will agree; Even though the consequences are that they will be lost eternally.
"Father," I looked at those hard-hearted Christians' children and wondered at Thy grace. How different was the expressions on the faces of those who were seekers and saints! O be merciful to them, Father, and have them to hear the Gospel again. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."