Endure

I did this S.O.AP. Wednesday but after studying it more, I had to do it again because I realized I was fighting with God about what Paul wrote. I was trying to ignore what was right in front of me.

Scripture: Romans 11:21-22 "For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off."

Observation: So here is another great question - can a Christian lose their salvation because of unbelief or an extent of sin in their lives? That appears to be Paul's point here.

Questions for understanding this text:
1. Is Paul speaking individually or corporately in verses 20-22?

2. What were the conditions for which the Israelites were cut off?

I'll address these questions in reverse.
1. What were the conditions for which the Israelites were cut off? The Israelites were cut-off because of unbelief (11:20, 23). Unbelief of what? Unbelief of God, or more specifically unbelief of His standard for sinlessness and the absolute necessity of believing God in faith for a redeemer (9:30-32; 10:3). So, whoever is being warned against being "cut off," must continue in belief.

2. Is Paul speaking corporately or individually?
Throughout the chapter Paul speaks corporately (or in general) about the Israelites. He also speaks corporately about the Gentiles in verses 11 and 12. At verse 17 however, if Paul intended to continue speaking of the Gentiles in general then he would have likely continued to use "Gentiles." But Paul specifies "you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others." (ESV)

So he begins by describing the general principal of the necessity of continuing in faith, unlike the Israelites, and the consequence of failing to do so. And he continues by giving a specific warning to the Gentiles in the church of Rome about their sure judgment if they follow in the Israelites ethnic arrogance instead of seeking the righteousness of God by faith.

Application:
What does this mean for me, a believer? Do I live in continuous fear that I've not maintained enough faith in God or that I've perhaps sinned beyond the strength of God's forgiveness?

(The first time I addressed this I brought too many presuppositions to the text and ignored what really seems obvious for fear that my belief in sovereign election might be affected.)

A proper understanding of all of Scripture requires an acceptance and consistent inclusion of all parts of it. So, yes, I can cease to follow God in faith and fail to receive eternal life. But more so, I can continue in faith in the rest of Scripture, which says that:
... God, who started working in me, will complete the work in me as well (Philippians 1:6).
... God will strengthen me, yes, He will help me; He will uphold me with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
... God keep evil from overtaking me and will give His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways (Psalm 91:10, 11).
... nothing can separate me from God's love (Romans 8:38, 39).
... God has made me a new creation and sin has lost it's right to dominion over me.

It should be noted though that Paul's warnings are specifically about ceasing to rely on gaining salvation through faith. He nowhere in this passage says that I can lose my salvation because I pass some threshold of sin.

Now, what about the doctrine of the "election?" Can God, once He has elected me for eternal life, be overruled by the exercise of my free will toward unbelief? It would take too much time for me to adequately address that here.

This is Thomas Schreiner's response to it though:

"This threat [in Romans 11] cannot be dismissed as an idle one. Paul often warns his readers of the necessity of continuing in faith in order to be saved. One should never conclude from Paul's teaching on divine election that he downplayed the necessity of human beings continuing to exercise faith in order [to be saved.]... Those who do not continue in faith will face God's judgment. Neither would it be correct to conclude that some of those that God elected will fail to continue in the faith. ... When we look at it retrospectively we discover that those who fail to persevere thereby reveal that they were never actually part of the elect community."

Prayer: Lord, all of creation and its history brings You praise. We testify, whether we intend to or not, that You are God, that You are righteous, and that we are dependent on You. I love You. There is no one like You! Amen.