By: Robert Serreyn
Question? #1 – Who or what are the broken branches, wild olvie tree etc in Romans 11:17-22 speaking of, and #2 – is verse 22 saying we can lose our salvation?
Romans 11:17-22 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. (19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. (20) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. (22) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Answer:
Romans Chp. 11 is dealing with the FUTURE USE of the Nation of Israel.
Unlike those (Preterist) that teach falsely that God is done using Israel (see my Q & A # 401).
To give proper perspective Romans Chp. 9 is dealing with the Nation of Israel in the Past.
Romans Chp. 10 is dealing with the Nation of Israel in the present, although Israel regained its statehood on May 14, 1948 it is still MOSTLY in unbelief.
About 85% of all Jews are still NOT SAVED and the Apostle Paul’s desire still remains in effect till this day.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
The answer to #2 is an ABSOLUTE NO, Everlasting life WOULD NOT be everlasting if it could be lost, It would only be Temporary Life UNTIL a person did this, that, or the other thing and NO WHERE in scripture is that ever hinted at or taught.
Romans 11:29 tells us – For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Salvation is A GIFT The words “Without Repentance” is the Greek word AMETAMELETOS and it means IRREVOCABLE, Therefore Salvation CANNOT be taken away, lost or be taken back it is WITHOUT END.
Without going into a lengthy commentary like explanation of V17 through 22 I will just give the basic jest of of what these verses are saying.
V17 – The Branches = The Nation of Israel.
Broken Off = Rejected for Use in “Proclaiming the Gospel and the Word of God” to the world BECAUSE as a Nation as a whole due to unbelief REJECTED the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah (saviour).
Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off,
Wild Olive Tree wert graffed in among them = The Gentile Nations.
Partakest of the root and fatness of the Olive Tree = USED to Proclaim the Gospel and the Word of God and receive ALL of the Blessings and Rewards (and fatness of) for “Doing the Lord’s will”
SADLY verses 21 and 22 HAVE BEEN “Used Falsely” that a person can lose their salvation.
V22 has a double application… individually and as a Nation, both apply.
On them which fell,severity = Fell means to UNBELIEVE, Severity = Judgement of being Rejected for use.
But toward thee, goodness = Receiving the blessings and rewards for Faithfulness in doing the Lord’s will.
If thou continue in his goodness = If you remain faithful in serving and doing the Lord’s will
Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off = Cut off in the sense of being rejected from use because of unbelief and or unfaithfulness.
In Conclusion:
God is not through with the Nation of Israel he simply “Put them on the shelf” as a nation and they have suffered many things (just read the Old Testament and History itself) and you will find that these things to be true due to this
The Christian as an Individual will find themselves in the same situation if they allow unbelief and or unfaithfulness to take root in their lives and just like the Nation of Israel God is not done with the Backslidden Christian, the Lord DESIRES to use them again for his service if they SHOULD turn from their unfaithfulness to faithfulness.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH