We Are Not So Different from Israel

August 16, 2018

We Are Not So Different from Israel

Romans 10:18–21

James Romero

Central Truth

Quickly grab hold of the Father's outstretched hand before it's too late.

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”

19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”

20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

It was more than six years ago that I heard the gospel preached at The Porch, Watermark's ministry for young adults, and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10). But was that really the first time I had heard it? Early on in Romans 10, Paul addresses Israel's need to hear the gospel message. The Jewish people were outwardly zealous for God and His law but spiritually dead. They believed in establishing their own righteousness. Paul goes on to say that righteousness is only accessible through Christ by faith alone—not by works of the law.

Before anyone can call on Him, they must believe. Before anyone can believe, they must hear. Before anyone can hear, someone must preach the message. Before someone can preach, they must be sent (Romans 10:14-15). I can look back on my life and recall some conversations about Jesus, but those memories are fuzzy. How many times did I hear the gospel? You see, the problem is not the message or the messenger but the hearer. I was rebellious and believed my own works/deeds were good enough for God. Throughout my life, God's call to me fell on deaf ears much like it did with the Israelites (John 12:37-41). I mistakenly believed I could lay some trinkets at God's feet and be good.

But God is gracious, merciful, and patient. Of Israel, He said, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." (Romans 10:21) That same extension has now been made available to us through Jesus. This free gift is possible because of His mercy and grace (Titus 3:5). I was once part of that foolish Gentile nation mentioned in the Deuteronomy passage quoted in Romans 10:19. I had no understanding. I did not seek after God, nor did I ask for him (Romans 10:20).

Salvation is now stretched out "all day" to both Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). Receive the outstretched hands of the Father through Jesus, and enter into His joy. When Jesus' arms were stretched, they stretched around the world.

This month's memory verse

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

– Romans 8:18

1. When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone in your life?

2. Even as Christians, we can still mistakenly believe that we have to do more to earn God's favor. Is that a lie you could be believing now?

3. Is there anyone of a different faith in your life now with whom you could share the gospel?

4. How often are you spending intimate time in God's Word and thanking Him for the free gift of salvation in Jesus?

5. If you know the gospel message and know who Jesus is but have not accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, what is keeping you from confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart? (Romans 10:9-10)