Chosen to Enemy

Romans 11:24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches (Jews) , be grafted into their own olive tree!

C.S. Lewis was once asked, what is the difference between Christianity and every other religion….to which C.S. Lewis replied…..”One word, describes the difference between Christianity and all other religions. That word is 'grace.”

Paul obviously loved his people….he very much wanted the Jews to take notice and be “jealous” or “arouse envy” from some of them to provoke them to dig. To question more….the grace of God, poured out on the Gentiles.

30-31 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.

Paul I believe is referring to the Jews disobedience and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus. He then puts them (the Jews) into the “enemy of God” category…and therefore reliant upon the very same grace that the Gentiles experienced. How can one go from ‘chosen’ to enemy category?

This has always been a question that I approach with as much couth and gentleness as I can muster. Will Jews be saved in the end? I am not the Judge, nor was Paul…..but Paul was inspired to believe that the Jews (some possibly not all) could be saved, in the end, according to God’s infinite and limitless grace…..the same grace that saves all Christians.

32For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.