Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Vintage Faith: The Future Remnant

God’s Word is not old—it’s eternal. It’s always timely because it’s timeless. What Paul writes about in Romans chapter 11 is what we are experiencing and dealing with personally and nationally today. Because we were made to worship, glorify, and live for a God greater than us, there’s something in us that longs to be part of something bigger and better. Some people are totally devoted to their nation; we call that patriotism. Some people are totally devoted to their political parties; that is partisan and political party adoration. Some people are absolutely committed to their religious traditions, routines, and rituals. Some people are committed to their politics, their sex, their gender, their ideology, or their preferences. Some people are totally committed to their families.

If any person could claim “all of the above,” it would be Paul. His nation was Israel, and his political party was called the Pharisees. He was a Jewish male, and this identity held his highest allegiance until Jesus completely changes his life. Then Paul demonstrates the difference between people we love and Jesus, to whom we are loyal.

What is your nation? Political party? Identity? Religious tradition? What if your family is not committed to or even interested in Jesus? You have a decision to make. If you side with people against Jesus, then that’s apostasy. You turned your back on Christ to be popular, accepted, and received by people who are opposed to Him. The other option is to remain loyal to Jesus. If you do, then you are part of the remnant of believers.

We all face pressure to conform. There is tremendous pressure to change what you believe, to whom you are loyal, and to what you are ultimately in allegiance. My hope, prayer, and goal are not to be loyal to my nation, political party, religious tradition, identity, or family. My hope and goal are to be loyal to my Jesus. He is over all people and all things. If you’re on His side, then I’m for you. If you’re on any other side, then I can’t be for you. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you, but it does mean you need to change and repent. Repentance means you stop doing what is wrong and start doing what is right.

There is so much pressure to go apostate. Paul tells us to love everyone but give our loyalty totally and exclusively to Jesus.

Today’s Reflection

To what or whom are you most devoted?