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May
Jesus Christ be Praised - Part 3
THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAISE Page
2
V. 1 (cont'd.)
** Has God rejected His people for being so obstinate?
"May it never be" [me genoito] Paul uses this term 10 times
in his letter to the Romans, most often to repudiate an anticipated
misunderstanding by his readers. It is the strongest negative in the
Greek language and means "No, No, No, or Impossible". This
same phrase is translated idiomatically by the King James version as
"God forbid". There is no way that God would reject His own
people or go back on any promise that He has made to them!
** What initial proof does Paul offer that God has not rejected Israelites
for salvation?
Paul is saved and he is an Israelite! cf. Philippians 3:5
"A descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin"
V. 2-4
** What addition proof does he offer?
Scripture - From 1Kings 19:10, 14 & 18, Paul draws an example of
how faithful God is to Israel, even when Elijah thought he was the only
one left who was still following Him.
** What was the nature of Elijah's complaint?
Woe is me..."I alone am left...", he gave himself a pity
party! (V.3)
** What was God's response?
"I still have 7000 men who worship Me!" (V.4)
God had not rejected Israel then, in Elijah's time, and He was not rejecting
Israel now!
V. 5 ** As Paul was preaching the gospel, were any Israelites
hearing and believing in the Messiah?
"...there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according
to God's gracious choice."
V. 6 ** If God's loving grace chose certain Israelites for salvation,
was their salvation then by works?
No, it was by God's grace, otherwise the works or efforts of men would
eliminate the need for grace and God's grace would cease to be grace
but instead would be payment for a job well done.
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