Another Chance

Based on Romans 11-13

Do-over time! Sometimes getting it right is the hardest thing. No matter what we practice at, sometimes it takes years to perfect just one thing! Like Motherhood for example-it's an ongoing work-in-progress! But never fear-there's always another chance, especially when we come to God! He not only helps us to release our past mistakes, but He helps us to live a brighter future in Him! He can direct us in our Motherhood and in a life which is pleasing to Him!

With Paul's writings in Romans, we've been focusing on how the message of Jesus translates through every person, of every culture & background, namely the Jews & everyone else (the Gentiles). The Jews started as God's chosen people, and many strayed from that path. The Gentiles are being given the opportunity to join into God's family. Both groups, all people, need Jesus!

"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" Romans 11:11-12.

Paul is here to give another chance to the Jews, and a first chance to the Gentiles! Just like some of us may have turned away from God at various points in our lives, it's time to go back! If we have yet to commit ourselves to Him, it's time to go forward! Don't allow the world's disguise of riches & goodness distract us from the good life-GOD's good life! He will help us on our Motherhood journey and every walk of life.

But how is this done?

We need to get GRAFTED!

"Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee." Romans 11:19-21.

The Jews which were originally connected with God in the Old Testament were being cut off to make room for new branches to be grafted in & attached to God! But this isn't so we, as Gentiles, can boast. Remember, these people have a great history with God, and God still values His covenants with them, and there will be a remnant of them to return! THEY ARE NOT WITHOUT ANOTHER CHANCE, AND NEITHER ARE WE!

"And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?" Romans 11:23‭-‬24.

They can always go back. And we can always go forward. But all must believe Jesus is the Tree of Life, our God, which we are being grafted into! He is the way to the TRUE good life:

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
Romans 11:33.

It's not about the world's offerings to us, it's about our offerings to God! He deserves it all:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1.

It's no longer about an animal sacrifice, but a willing sacrifice to allow ourselves to be pure & holy in His sight. Once we are grafted in and we've received another chance from God, why would we want to defile it?

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Romans 12:3.

Once we are living this new life in Christ, it's important to remember where we came from and why we needed a chance in the first place. We can't think we are above anyone else once we start living better, because we came from worse. The Gentiles have to keep this in mind with the Jews. The Jews were servants first, and there is always a chance for them to return!

In taking this turn for the better & following through with God's plan of salvation (Acts 2:38), we become part of God's Body & family! And it's all fueled by love:

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Romans 13:10.

The law is in place to keep sin out, but love is the ultimate "evil-repellent!" God gives us another chance by love, and so we need to live by that same love!