Through Israel’s Fall Salvation Has Come To All

Through Israel’s Fall Salvation Has Come To All

Pr Edi Giudetti

01-03-2020

We have all knowns what it is like to miss out on something very important, but we have also known what it is like when an opportunity has opened up that we might be able to take advantage of. It might be a job opportunity that was made available through an individual stepping down, or a position on a team or a play etc, when someone else has, for one reason or another, decided to step aside and left an opportunity for another to step in.  In just such a way does the passage before us speech respecting what has occurred with Israel and his fall respecting his rejection of the long-awaited messiah. Israel made a way for the gentile, “through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles”. (Rom 11:11)

Fallen By Works

(Ref: Rom 9:31-32)

⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.  ⁷ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Israel had rejected his Messiah; he had turned his face from the hope that had long ago been set before him. 

We often get confused when we read of all the people that followed Christ, all the people who had desired to crown him King and set him upon the throne of David that we read in the New Testament. How is it that they had rejected him?  How is it that Israel had so quickly despised their own hope?

The leaders of the nation rejected their messiah, just as the kings of old rejected the prophets of old. They lead the nation and where they lead the nation follows.  They would not believe the Gospel, but rather trusted that the works of the Law that would save them from their sin.

Paul makes it abundantly clear that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. (Rom 3:20). The deeds of the law refers to the works of the Law, but if it is by the works of the law, it cannot then be by grace. ⁶And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace

Just to be sure we understand it, turn to 

Galatians 5:3 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace”

It is so vital to understand the truth of this doctrine.  Again, and again the Bible teaches that if you are saved by WORKS your salvation CANNOT be secure, why? 

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you

Why do you need Jesus if your works can either save you or keep you? Again, let me make sure this is clear, IF you think you can lose your salvation, then there is an element in your mind that thinks you are somehow saved by your works and not of grace.

whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace”

Grace and Works are MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE IDEAS and Paul is doing all he can to be sure this is understood. He testifies the truth of it in no less than three of his letters, Romans, Galatians and the Epistle to the Hebrews (yes I believe Paul wrote the book of Hebrews…but that is neither here nor there).

Turn back to our passage in Romans 11

⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Grace and works are mutually exclusive.

Friends there are those who think they have been saved by Grace, but somehow ALSO believe they are KEPT by their works. 

In other words, they believe they can somehow lose the Salvation that they have done NOTHING to earn.

They do not yet understand that the manner in which you are saved, you are kept.

If you are saved by grace, you are kept by promise.

If you can be saved by the Law, you are a debtor to keep the law.

You cannot be save by grace and still a debtor to the law, Romans 7:4 says ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ

Here again as an introduction of verse 6 is verse 5

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace

ALL who are saved are known as the ELECT, they are a CHOSEN generation (1 Pet 2:9), they are a PECULIAR people (1 Pet 2:9), they have been specifically SET APART by God, PREDESTINATED ACCORDING TO HIS WILL (Eph 1:11). The truth of this is INESCAPABLE in scriptures.

IT IS GODS GRACE that has saved you, NOT YOU YOURSELF.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace

So clear is Paul in this statement, just as he was in the passage in Galatians, when you are a ‘debtor to do the whole law, Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you’ you don’t need Jesus Christ to save you IF you can save yourself.  YOU don’t need Jesus to preserve you, IF you think you need to work to preserve yourself. Salvation is either ALL OF GRACE or it is ALL OF WORKS

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

In Short: Grace cannot be Grace if there are any works in it. In the same token, works cannot be works if there is any Grace in it. You are either saved by Grace or Saved by works. One is separated from the other as far as the east is from the west.

(See Justice Established Through Faith)

You ALSO cannot be saved by grace and KEPT by works, else Grace is no more grace.

When I was a part of the Charismatic church I discovered the strangest of all doctrines embedded deep within the mind of them. And I want to show you the perfectly inconsistent manner in which they think of salvation, it is one that has NO BIBLICAL PRECEDENT and nor does it have ANY LOGICAL CONSISTENCY. This has been a stumbling stone for many.

In short, they believe that you are saved by grace and kept by works. Those who believe in John Calvin’s teachings recognize perfectly that, if a person is ELECT, Chosen, and predestined by God through his GRACE alone, understand that salvation CANNOT BE LOST.

Those who believe in Jacob Arminius teachings recognize that, if a person has free will and is perfectly accountable to that free will, it will be his works that save him, and through that they logically conclude that salvation CANNOT be secure.

Both of those positions, though they are opposed to one another, make perfect sense. They are logically conclusive. 

STRANGLEY HOWEVER, the Charismatic position takes from both ideas and becomes therefore become logically incoherent. 

Calvin’s position, is consistent with itself.

Arminius position is also consistent with itself.

Neither of these ideas contradict themselves.

But the Charismatic doctrine stands apart from them and teaches that Salvation is gained by Grace, but can be LOST by works.

The idea demonstrates a breaking down of the minds ability to retain logical consistency in its doctrine.

But Paul straightens the truth of it out

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

⁷ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Israel Fell by their works.  Recall what Paul wrote two chapters earlier;

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. ³² Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

And it is a stumbling stone that we see many trip up on even today.

Nevertheless, the end result for that nation is that they placed their trust in themselves and not in Christ, as a result they rejected their Saviour and an opportunity was made for the Gentiles.

^7…Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Blinded By God

⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.  ⁹ And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

The rejection of Christ had blinded those who had rejected Christ.  I have a genuine challenge in my hands beloved I must tell you. 

Because on the one hand I desire to perfectly unpack for you the pure doctrine of election and the perfect recognition of accountability in the same chapter, but I risk not doing my job well enough in the passage I am expounding.

On the one hand, unpacking the doctrine fully will bore those who understand it, while at the same time lose some with the consideration.

Nevertheless, in this portion, I must give an attempt with it in summary.

Paul makes no apology in the Bible respecting BOTH the scriptures teaching of the sovereignty of God AND man’s free will and accountability.

Even in this very chapter, Paul speaks with a clarity that there are a people “reserved” by God, “a remnant according to the election of grace” (v’s 4 & 5).

In verse 7 he writes that Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Absolutely clear passages relating to the sovereignty of God, he chooses and reserves a remnant and blinds the rest. His sovereignty is reflected unapologetically and clearly in the passage and we cannot deny it; and YET

Paul writes about them being ‘provoked to jealousy’ (v11) and that he “may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them”.

From verse 19 we see Paul reasoning and exhorting a continuation of faith and accountability, respecting Israel as the branches being broken off because of their lack of faith;

“¹⁹ Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. ²⁰ Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: ²¹ For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee”

Consider even clearer expression of unapologetic accountability in the next verse which we will speak more clearly about when I get to it, verse 22;

“²² Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. ²³ And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.”

Can you see what I am trying to demonstrate to you respecting the doctrines of BOTH the sovereignty of God clearly taught in the Bible AND the doctrine of accountability ALSO clearly taught in the Bible even in a single chapter?

Was Calvin right in what he taught? YES…and NO!

Was Arminius right in what he taught? NO….and YES!

Are the Charismatics right in what they teach?….Just NO!

Does the Bible clearly teach BOTH of Gods sovereignty in choosing and electing and also free will and accountability? Yes.

Do we understand it? NO!

There… I have done the best I can in the shortest possible time without taking away from the sermon.

• Please KNOW therefore that when the Bible teaches of God being sovereign and choosing and electing and doing perfectly as pleases him, I too will teach without apology, of that same sovereignty because it is true!

• And when the Bible plainly teaches of free will and accountability, that you have a CHOICE in the matter respecting your decisions in life, I too will do so without apology, because it is true.

I explained this when expounding Romans 9, and now again in Romans 11. 

Can I go on with the passage?

⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.  ⁹ And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

Yet this blindness is temporary and not permanent and it is for a very specific purpose;

Go forward to Romans 11:25 as we have a quick peak at a portion will we soon consider.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

It is one of the great UNTIL’s of the Bible;

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

There is a fullness that represents a completion of the work the Lord is undertaking with respect to the gentiles. When that fullness is accomplished, then and ONLY then will the Lord lift the veil that darkens the heart of Israel’s mind.

It is THROUGH ISRAELS FALL THAT SALVATION HAS COME TO ALL

There is now a veil that covers their eyes of their understanding UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Turn to 2 Corinthians 3:12-15

¹² Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: ¹³ And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: ¹⁴ But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. ¹⁵ But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. ¹⁶ Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

They are BLINDED BY GOD, blinded for a reason but also blinded for a season.

They are blinded for that ‘salvation is come unto the gentiles’.

AND they are blinded “UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in”

When the Old testament is read, many will still not see Christ who is so clearly presented in the Old Testament

even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

But, again, that blindness is temporary;

¹⁶ Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.  

Turn to Mark 4:11-12

Jesus here gives to his disciples and explanation as to why he speaks to the people in parables. And it is interesting because most people would think that the reason he speaks in parables to the people is to make clear what he is trying to explain, yet Jesus explains that it is the exact opposite of that.

¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: ¹² That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

The scriptures became to them a closed book, one in which, though they see the words written, they will not be able to perceive truth from them, though they hear the word preached to them, they will not understand the words preached.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of what God would do to the people saying “¹⁰ For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. ¹¹ And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed,” (Isa 29:10)

There are many people today who even claim to be Christians, yet if it is a faithful preacher that preaches, they hear the word preached but cannot understand it. They read the word written, but to them it is as the words of a book that is sealed.

When it comes to the simplicity of the Gospel, this is a very worrying state for them to be in. We know that a lost person cannot understand what the Bible teaches.

The Eunuch who travelled along the way home was asked by Phillip who heard him read the Bible say; “Understandest thou what thou readest? ³¹ And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Acts 8:31)

1. There was A recognition that the books is sealed to him, to the question if he understood what he was reading, he answered, “How can I”?
2. There was A humility to request the help of even a stranger to understand it “How can I, except some man should guide me?”
3. And there was A desire to know the truth of what he was reading.

The result and effect upon this man’s soul we all have read.

Israel were indeed blinded by God, but not for ever, they were blinded for a season and for a reason. 

Let’s consider the reason in this last point.

To Make A Way For The Gentiles

¹¹ 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.

It’s one of the most precious things in life to have children. To watch them and to see their dependence upon you. Your love for them and care for them is reflected in the provisions you make for them.

You watch and you see every change that occurs in them as they begin to develop. It’s one thing after another and you love each and every change that occurs in them. You recognise it because the changes happen relatively quickly. 

Then you see the milestone….the promise was always there, you knew the day would one day come, you’ve been rehearsing time and again, and then the day finally comes and….the first unassisted step is taken.

It’s like slow motion when it happens, it’s such a blessing to see it because you knew there was nothing really that could hinder that promised day from coming. You had seen evidence of it each time you held your childs hands.

But no sooner had your baby taken those first precious steps that he stumbled and fell. 

Do you remember? Did you cry?…I mean did you cry in complete and utter despair that your child stumbled and fell thinking all hope is now lost and he will never walk again?

No. 

No, you knew it was temporary, you knew that the stumbling of your child was not to its permanent fall but he would eventually stand again and walk again, perhaps he stumbled over an obstacle, perhaps that obstacle was his own feet, nevertheless you knew it was a part of that which is expected, he will stand again.

So too with Israel.

Israel’s fall is temporary, it was never permanent.

Many years went by where the promise of his taking his stand above the nations would be led by his messiah. 

But he stumbled at that stumbling stone. he did not obtain that which he sought for, but the election had obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

It is during this period where Israel is yet to stand again, that an opportunity had been made for another to stand.

but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Clearly Paul is speaking of salvation in the context of this passage. Something had occurred that IS true according to the Bible respecting Israel, it is a temporary, and not a permanent, setting aside of them, for another people to obtain salvation.

but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles

Raise your hand if you are a Jew?

Then you are a gentile. know that salvation is now come to you.

To you has come the hope of everlasting life. For you Jesus gave his life that you might be saved IF you believe.

The law was given to Israel to be a perpetual reminder of his sin. The people KNEW they were sinners, but rather than look to the Saviour, they ‘stumbled at that stumbling stone’ and trusted that obedience to the Law would save them! 

But that is not the purpose of the law.

Turn to Romans 3:19-20

¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The Law was never designed to save, but to secure a conviction, that all the world may become guilty before God.

But salvation is come to the Gentiles, the Gospel of hope and joy is come the us. 

Easily we had seen our sin in the light of the law. The law is pronounced, we hear each one of its ten foundational precepts, 1, 2, 3, 4 and just when we recognized we had broken each of the first four impossible commandments respecting our faithfulness to the Lord we hear the fifth;

Honour thy father and thy mother

How long a time could we spend on that one? 

I think of the way I dishonoured my mother, my lack of love for her and how I treated her when all I wanted to do was to get my own way. 

O the lies that I told her time and time again. The excuses I made up, the disrespect for a woman who had already endured a full life even before I came along.

The lack of appreciation for all that she had done for me, her care her tender heart and sacrificial life for her wayward son. 

This alone would be enough to damn me, this alone I could see justice in setting me as guilty before God, but then would come how I behaved toward my father.

I stole from him when I was a teenager, I took from his wallet the earnings of his efforts to spend upon my own lusts. I dishonoured him and spoke against his law’s and his ways. 

I blamed him time and again, knowing NOTHING of the multitude of trials he himself was enduring trying to provide for his home and family. 

Violent outburst of anger when I would not get off the phone while he was paying for every second I remained on it…

Yet I judged him as if I was the arbiter of truth, I condemned him because I wanted to be the governor of my life and sought for my scapegoat, someone to blame for my own misery over MY OWN sins.

Yes, I know that my parents were not perfect, but who was I? 

What was I at the ages of 12, 13, 15, 17, 21 that I thought I knew better of life to dishonour them rather than respect them both? Especially when they sacrificed so much for me. 

Especially my mum.

This alone was enough; a link in the midst of the chain of the Laws, broken to see me fall.

Perhaps that is you too. You would not be the first person convicted of sin when you fell on that rock of the fifth commandment.

But then Christ…

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

How is this possible?

Because through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.

I know that one of the purposes of God was  for to provoke them to jealousy. And we will deal a little more with that next time; But first I would like you to consider yourself in light of what you have heard.

A way has been made for you, an opening, if you will. 

It is an opportunity that has a limit, a “fullness” after which it will be returned to Israel, that you might believe the Gospel.  

We see that time drawing to a close all around us today. Jesus referred to the ‘signs of the times’ and the times of the gentiles is coming to its ends. 

Famines, pestilences, wars and rumors of wars, all of which are the imprints of truth stamped on this world and before your eyes that you might see the truth of it. 

The opportunity has a limit.

It has also a limit to time…

Your last breath, whenever that may be, is too late.

 through their fall salvation is come unto you

Will you believe the Gospel and have HOPE?