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Romans 11:26-27
In Romans 11:26 the Apostle Paul makes a very bold statement (NKJV), “And so all Israel will be saved,”. He then quotes Isaiah 59:20, 21 as his support for the teaching, noting that the Deliverer will turn away ungodliness from Jacob [“Israel”, (Genesis 32:28)]. But the Prophet Isaiah also goes on to declare in this passage that this is God’s covenant with Israel, and then he states a very important part of having a proper understanding of God’s grace. Isaiah states in the words given him by God that this will happen, “When I take away their sins” (Isaiah 59:20, 21). The Apostle Paul paraphrases this passage but as we look to Isaiah 59:20-21 we see that the actual words used by the Prophet Isaiah are, “And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob [Israel],” which points to those who put their faith in God – the definition of salvation, or as the Apostle Paul puts it, “When I take away their sins.”
This is a promise of salvation for all of Israel for all who “turn from transgression in Jacob” (Isaiah 59:20b).
God’s plan of choosing Israel as His representative to the world in the covenant He made with Abraham has not and will not fail – God is forever faithful. His promises are solid and will not be revoked, as is salvation through believing in Him. But we must also understand that as James tells us in James 2:18-19 (HCSB), “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe – and they shudder.” James goes on to teach us in James 2:22, “You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected.” This kind of belief is not mere words but a life-changing heart-felt sincere newness of life that only comes through opening one’s heart to being filled by God’s Holy Spirit through the receiving of salvation in Christ Jesus.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that You are unchanging throughout eternity past, present, and future. But that we are in need of change in our lives and in our beliefs that are so self-centered as is that of Satan working in this world to separate us from Your grace. Please help us to see that it is of a sincere answer to Your calling on our lives to put You first and seek Your will for our lives through obedience and sincerity in our salvation in Christ Jesus, who died to save us from sin that we may live in Your grace for eternity – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.