Grace that Transforms - Romans 11:1-6

This is your annual reminder on the last Sunday in October that October 31st isn't Halloween, it’s Reformation Day. And we remember October 31st as Reformation Day because it’s the day that Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg Church door in Germany.

I’m sure many of you are aware that a major catalyst for the Reformation was the Roman Catholic Church’s sell of indulgences. Johann Tetzel was probably the most famous salesman of indulgences. Tetzel would famously say, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs!”

The simplest way to think of indulgences is as a “get a family member out hell free card.” Except, they weren’t free and they didn’t get your family members out of hell per se. Indulgences cost a considerable amount of money and depending upon how much money you were willing to spend on indulgences, you could shorten your family member’s purgatory sentence. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that purgatory is this intermediary place of cleansing and preparation for souls before they go to heaven. It’s a middle ground for people who weren’t good enough for heaven, but weren’t bad enough for hell.

And of course, all of this patently unbiblical, which is why Luther’s 95 theses dealt heavily with indulgences and purgatory.

As all of these questions were being raised it forced men to ask themselves, “what does the Bible actually say?”

Because the Reformation wasn’t about creating new doctrines but about restoring the Biblical truths that had always been there. And it was through the Reformation the Scriptures were emphasized as the sole authority for faith, doctrine, and practice, along with the Biblical teachings on salvation. That we’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.

One of the things that the Reformation did was restore a proper understanding of God’s grace. As I’m sure you can imagine, there would have been mass confusion over God’s grace. Is it something that can be bought?

No doubt, God’s grace was misunderstood during the time of the Reformation, but God’s grace continues to be misunderstood today. Fewer people seem to think it’s something that can be bought, but other misunderstandings have taken its place.

Hopefully now, Romans 11:1-6 now makes a little more sense. Because it’s precisely what the Apostle Paul is doing in this portion of Romans 11 - he was helping the church in Rome better understand God’s grace.

Our short passage teaches us several things about God’s grace. First, we see that God’s grace gives us hope (v. 1), second, we see the extent of God’s grace (vv. 1-5), second, we’re reminded that God’s grace by definition excludes works (v. 6).

God’s Grace Gives Us Hope (v. 1)

Everyone loves to talk about grace don’t they? There isn’t a person in the world who’s like, “you know what concept I really can’t stand? Grace.”

In our current culture, there is confusion over grace isn’t there? Is grace simply giving someone whatever they want? Is grace the same as being nice and courteous? Is grace just an attitude towards others?

But Biblical grace refers to God’s unmerited favor upon those who have transgressed his law and sinned against him. Grace is receiving a gift when you deserve to be punished.

This is the sort of grace that Ephesians 2:8-9 talks about:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

God’s grace is most evident in salvation, isn’t it? And as Paul says, it’s not your own doing. Salvation by grace is a work of God. It’s something that he does.

Which makes you wonder about those who reject the gospel? It’s precisely the question that’s on Paul’s mind at the beginning of chapter 11: “...has God rejected his people?” Because the gospel was going forth but the Jewish people were not receptive.

After all, God had made special promises to the people of Israel? Were those promises now null and void? Paul answers that question with an emphatic, “By no means!”

God cannot go back on his promises! And he proves it with two examples. The first example is himself.

“For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.”

He actually gives a more detailed resume of his Jewish credentials in the book of Philipians: He says of himself that he was, “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

According to Paul, he was as Jewish as you could get. They didn’t make them more Jewish and zealous than the Apostle Paul. Paul thought who he was and how he lived would make him right with God.

In other words, he didn’t need divine intervention. He didn’t need God’s grace! His life would justify him before God. It’s really hard to explain God’s grace to people who think they have everything figured out. Have you ever noticed that? The people who think they have everything figured out are the hardest people to share the gospel with.

And of course, that’s Paul’s point. There was no Jew more self-righteous than Paul. There was no Jew who deserved God’s rejection more than Paul.

And yet, God's grace swept over him, and he met Jesus, and was forever changed. Paul’s point is simple: because of God’s grace there is still hope for the Jewish people.

And of course that’s true on a macro, redemptive history level, but it’s true on the micro individual level as well. God’s grace gives us hope.

Obviously, if our salvation was up to us there would be no assurance! How can we have any confidence in a graceless salvation where you have to earn it. Praise God, that’s not the gospel.

But God’s grace gives us hope for others as well. In fact, God’s grace reminds us that no one, no matter how hardened, no matter how lost, no matter how hopeless their spiritual condition may seem to us - God can still save them. His grace gives us hope.

Isn’t that Paul’s point? If God saved me, then he can save them too!

And yet, we’d be lying to ourselves if we didn’t admit that there are people around us who we’ve given up on. We look at them and think, they’re a lost cause. Nothing can penetrate that heart of stone.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with George Müller.

Müller was a 19th-century Christian who founded several orphanages in England. But one of the things that he was most well known for was his dedication to prayer. And one day, he decided he was going to pray for five friends who were unbelievers every single day.

After five years of faithful prayer, the first friend was converted. After ten years, his second friend became a Christian. After 25 years, the third friend. After nearly 50 years, the fourth friend. The fifth friend, Müller continued to pray until the day that he died. Amazingly, shortly after Müller’s death, his fifth friend became a Christian.

Isn’t that such an inspiring, encouraging reminder that God can reach anyone, but you and I need to fervently pray. You and I can always have hope because of God’s grace.

God can radically change someone’s life in the flash of an eye. Just ask the Apostle Paul!

God’s Grace Provides Community (vv. 2-5)

But when God graciously saves someone, he doesn’t say, alright, you’re on your own now buddy! Hope you figure it all out!

No, that’s not the way things work at all. God saves by grace, through faith in Christ, and then graciously, plants you into a community. He’s given us the church. You’re never alone.

And yet, many of us have felt alone. For most of redemptive history being a Christian has invited derision from the world. Just think about Paul: When he was converted, he went from persecutor to persecuted. One minute he was climbing the corporate Pharisee ladder, and then the next he’s being stoned, beaten, and running for his life!

But just because you face hardship or even the hostility of the world does not mean that God has withheld his love from you. He doesn’t abandon or reject his people. Verse 2: “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.”

Foreknowledge is God’s eternal love for His people before the foundation of the world. So rejecting those whom God has foreknew would be contradictory! Because if you really love someone, you can’t reject them.

A number of years ago, I was speaking with a friend that’s a ruling elder and I was just complaining, which I do from time to time, about how Christians are often singled out and treated quite hostilly.

It seems, at least here in America, you’re welcome to talk about Buddha, Muhammad, or a Rabbi, and, but don’t you dare mention the name Jesus Christ. Have you ever noticed that?

And he simply said, “it’s because it’s true.” Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. My friend was exactly right. The world is hostile to the truth.

I bring that up because when you face derision and hostility, it can make you feel alone. Which was the case with Elijah.

Elijah battled idolatry, evil King Ahab and queen Jezebel in Israel. If you remember the story, Ahab and Jezebel slaughtered many of the Lord’s prophets. Then on top of that, the people of Israel were turning away from God towards idolatry. Elijah felt all alone.

Paul is referring to 1 Kings 19. In 1 Kings 19 Elijah says, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Or as Paul paraphrases it, “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.”

Many of the Reformers could certainly relate to Elijah.

Many of you know the story of Martin Luther. Shortly after he refused to recant the theological truth of justification by faith alone at the Diet of Worms in 1521 he became depressed.

He had been declared an outlaw following the Diet of Worms and was whisked away to hide in the Wartburg Castle for his safety. But while he was there, his struggles peaked. Because while he was hiding in the castle he felt alone and isolated. During his period of isolation, Luther wrote:

“I sit here in seclusion, shackled by hatred and fear, isolated from men, attacked by devils. I can but cling to the Scriptures and my faith, though I feel my frail spirit falter.” (Letters of Martin Luther)

Haven’t we all at times felt alone and isolated too?

We live in a weird culture today, because on the one hand, phones and technology have made us more connected than ever. You can text and call your friends and family every single day by pressing a few buttons. You can pick up your phone and call a friend you haven’t seen in ten years and speak to them as if they were in the same room as you.

And yet, loneliness, isolation, and depression are at epidemic levels!

A recent survey revealed that around one-third of U.S. adults feel lonely at least weekly, with 10% experiencing loneliness daily. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 34, report higher levels of loneliness, with approximately 30% feeling lonely most days. Single adults are especially affected, with nearly 39% reporting frequent loneliness compared to 22% of married individuals.

All that to say, believers need community. And God really knew what he was doing when he established the church. Wasn’t this one of the many lessons from Covid?

Which is precisely the words of encouragement God gives Elijah in his moment of weakness, “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Of course, Paul’s point is to demonstrate that God has never rejected the people of Israel, but we also see God’s grace too.

God is gracious in the fact that he doesn’t make you a Christian and then cast you off on your own. He gives you a community.

We don’t often think of the church as a sign of God’s grace, do we? There are obvious signs of God’s grace, chiefly in salvation through Jesus Christ. That’s the clearest picture of God’s grace isn’t it? But the truth is we get glimpses of his grace in other ways as well. Like in the corporate gathering of the church. The fact that we’re all here together is a sign of God’s goodness and grace as well.

At times, we may feel isolated. At times, we might feel alone. But there is always a remnant. There are always other believers, which should be a comfort to your soul.

Even for Elijah, right after he tells God that he’s all alone, God sends him Elisha.

Most of you have probably heard the coal illustration at some point or another. But if you take a burning hot coal out of a fire and set it by itself in the dirt, it’ll eventually go out. The same is true for each of us as believers. There’s no such thing as solo-Christianity. That’s never been an option, not to burden you with another thing you have to attend each week, but to fill you up, help you, bless you, and encourage you.

We need to shift our attitudes and thinking away from “I’m a Christian, so I have to go to church” to “I’m a Christian and God has blessed me with the church.”

One of the ways that God’s grace manifests itself in our lives is in and through His church.

Grace Excludes Works (v. 6)

But of course, those who are truly born again and are trusting in Jesus Christ - that remnant has been there for all of redemptive history. In fact, Paul says they were, “chosen by grace.” Those are some powerful words, aren’t they? Chosen by grace…

Because the reality is, all believers have been chosen by grace. Salvation, trusting in Jesus Christ, it’s always been by grace through faith. And of course, biblical grace is receiving blessing, rewards, and favor when you deserve wrath and condemnation. It’s similar to mercy in that, mercy is receiving forgiveness when you deserve punishment.

Salvation is a gift. That’s clear from verse 5, but it’s even clearer in verse 6. “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”

By definition, grace excludes works. That’s the point of a gift, right? You didn’t earn it. It was given to you. If you did something to earn the gift, then it’s no longer a gift, right? If you earned it, then you’re entitled to it.

Which is why it’s so dangerous to believe that you can contribute to your salvation. If you think it’s something for you to earn, then God’s grace becomes meaningless.

John Calvin says of this verse:

"If it be of grace, then it is no more of works. For grace, as [Paul] defines it, excludes all merit and relies solely on the bounty of God. Hence it follows that it is no more of works: for otherwise grace would not be grace.”

This is important because the default, natural position of every person who has ever lived is to believe that the way you live is what makes you right with God. That God’s favor is based upon your performance. The better of a person you are, the more God will love you.

But that’s a lie! “...if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”

That was a common misunderstanding isn’t it? That the way you tap into God’s grace is by improving your behavior. Which is exactly the lie that Paul believed too isn’t it? He thought that his efforts, his knowledge, and his “works,” would make him right with God.

But it’s faith in Jesus Christ. The reality is, none of us are good enough to earn our way in. Our efforts will always come up short because we’re tainted and corrupted by sin. And I think that has become such an issue in evangelicalism. We don’t think that our sin is that bad. We’ve made some mistakes along the way, we have a few regrets, but at the end of the day, none of it is that serious. We downplay the seriousness of sin, which minimizes the significance of grace. God’s grace is always there for us to tap into whenever we think we might need it.

I recently read a story about John Barros who was active in the pro-life movement in Florida. One time he saw a woman pull up to the abortion clinic that he would stand outside of with a fish on her car. He asked her, “are you a Christian?” She said, “Yes, but I’m going to have this abortion because I know that Jesus will forgive me.”

When you minimize the seriousness of sin, you cheapen grace by presuming upon the riches of God. You look at Jesus dying on the cross and think, “now I can willfully embrace sin whenever I want.”

Grace is free, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t costly. Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote about “cheap grace” in his book, In The Cost of Discipleship:

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

Bonhoeffor’s point was that if you are a Christian then it may cost you something. In fact, it may cost you everything! It may cost you your life! Your sin and my sin is so serious that Jesus had to die in order to save us.

When you recognize the depth of your sin and the futility of works, suddenly the cross of Jesus Christ becomes more significant. When you recognize that the grace and forgiveness that comes only through faith in Christ on the cross your life cannot remain the same.

This was the revolution of the Reformation! Faith in Jesus Christ and what he has done for you saves you, not your works, and this is a gift so that no man can boast. “...if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”

That’s the message that transforms lives. Amen. Let’s pray together.