Romans: Rooted in Jesus, God's Family

Sunday we’re going to start a challenging portion of Scripture, Romans 9-11. In this text, the Apostle addresses the obvious question on the minds of Jewish believers, “If salvation is by grace through faith, is God breaking his promises to Israel as a nation?” In addition, Paul confronts the potential pride of the Gentile believers over their adoption into God’s family, saying, “do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you,” Romans 11:18. This will address the conflict between the two groups in the Roman Church.

Let me paint the picture in an example. I have six children; all are grown, but two have left the family. Four of my children are expecting an inheritance. Then suddenly I adopt five more grown children, outnumbering my remaining natural born children. These new family members are grown and don’t have to go through eighteen years under my parentage. They are still learning what it means to be in my family, but they don’t know our family customs, haven’t had to endure our family vacations, and don’t follow some of our unique family rules. The adopted family could feel very privileged and my natural children, jealous and demanding of the new members.

This is a brief idea of the dynamics, though not as complicated as the question at hand in Rome. Paul’s answer is mercy! Some in God’s family have separated themselves from him, not receiving his grace by faith. Some have misunderstood his promises to the family. Some have just come in. All who are present are present by mercy! Join us as we worship the One who has made us family by grace!