Has God Rejected Israel?

Being the pastor of a church that is extremely conservative and Israel friendly, I find the conversation about Israel's special privilege from God come out every once in a while.  There are some normal questions that are asked: Is Israel still the chosen people of God?  Does God have a special plan for them?  How does Jesus fit into the picture with Israel today?

This morning, as I read Romans 11:1-10, some of these questions were answered for me.  Paul states very clearly that by no means has God rejected his people.  Just as there was a remnant in the time of Elijah when apostasy was rampant, so a remnant of Israel remains during Paul's time.  But there is a catch.  This remnant was not chosen by race, genealogy, or special privilege.  This remnant was chosen by grace.

"But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." (Romans 11:6; ESV)

 Israel had been seeking favor and redemption from God through works of the law.  But they failed to obtain this redemption.  Why?  Because only the elect obtained it while the rest were hardened by God (Romans 11:7).  This is a huge statement that those who believe in a special plan and privilege for Israel are  missing.  God chose some while he hardened others.  How do we know it was God who hardened them instead of hardening their own hearts?

"God game them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." (Romans 11:8; ESV)

Election is a difficult doctrine to grasp.  I've only been on this election boat for four or five years and I still have a  lot to learn.  But hopefully, through the grace of God and his using those around me to challenge me, I will only continue to understand more and more of this wonderful doctrine of grace.  My hope and prayer is that all of us who are children of God will dig deep into the realities of our Savior though they may be difficult to grasp.  The Spirit of God will continue to teach us and reveal his truth to us throughout the time we live here on this earth.

Why our Parents Put Us To Shame

Feel like times have changed?  Feel like everyone is judging the way you parent?  Feel like your parents parented differently than parents of today?  I came across a blog (blogher.com) that addresses these issues and more on parenting.  It definitely brought back some memories.  Here is a little snippet:

I often think about how we survived under the watch of our parents. There were no infant seats (how did you get anywhere with me in the car?), no seat belts (ok, there were seat belts, but they weren't safe and no one wore them), people smoked basically everywhere, we gnawed happily on plastic and toys full of lead, climbed on high steel monkey bars, and electrical outlets were always in plain view and ready for a zappin'.

Parenting standards have obviously changed over the years (and most for good reason), but here's why I say our parents rocked.

 They Cooked. Meals. In pans. Sometimes even in the oven. Every day. And if we were hungry, we ate. There were very few drive-thrus, no Toaster Strudel, microwaves, no Lunchables, no pizza delivery. We ate meals, you know, with a starch and a vegetable. There was no such thing as a Meal Deal, and items that are passed off as meals today, like the "Pizza and Cookie" combo pack, Hot Pockets, or Jalapeno Poppers didn't exist.

They Sent Us Outside to Play. We played outside, often; most times until after dark. They encouraged it. We were only in the house when it was raining, and sometimes not even then. I remember not even knowing what to do with myself in the house, and would keep checking the window to see if the rain had stopped and I could return outside.

Go here to read the rest.

Grieving the Holy Spirit

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.   Ephesians 4:30

The other day my son asked my wife and me why we need to eat well and exercise.  Our response was a little deeper than should be told a four-year-old.  We tried to explain that God lives within us and we are God's holy temple.  Needless to say we had to go into more simplistic detail.

But how often do I forget the simple truth that God, more specifically the Holy Spirit, lives within me?  Each time I sin I allow something into my mind and heart that is deplorable to God.  In the Old Testament God speaks of turning his face away from his elect, his chosen people of Israel because of their sin (Isaiah 59:1-2).  This does not mean that he abandons his people, but that when sin enters the relationship between God and his people a rift is created.  The New Testament speaks of our sin grieving the Holy Spirit.

John Calvin put it this way:

No language can adequately express this solemn truth, that the Holy Spirit rejoices and is glad on our account, when we are obedient to him in all things, and neither think nor speak anything, but what is pure and holy; and, on the other hand, is grieved when we admit anything into our minds that is unworthy of our calling.

 "God's Spirit is especially sensitive to sin because of His close relationship with us, those who have been saved and defined as the Lord's holy people (1 Peter 1:13-16)" (TableTalk).  Though our sin grieves the Spirit it is not a paralyzing grief that at times overtakes our emotions and decisions at difficult times such as the death of a loved one.  God cannot be so grieved that it clouds his judgement.  But our sin creates distance in the relationship between us and our Creator.  He has not left us.  He has only turned his face away from us.  That is the effects of sin in our lives.