Don’t stop trusting
August 21, 2011
… those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. (Romans 11:20-22)
A static, past-tense, once-saved-always-saved view of salvation cannot comprehend the dynamic, present-tense, salvation-is-a-journey view of salvation Scripture teaches. A rationalistic mindset believes the dots between any two Bible truths can be connected with a straight line, when in fact Scripture declares it is impossible for us to comprehend God’s ways — unsearchable (anexereunetos) and unfathomable (anexichniastos) in Romans 11:33. The rationalist brings “order” to God’s Word by ignoring or, worse, distorting the Scripture to fit the presuppositions of his theological system.
Paul wrote to the “dear brothers and sisters” of the church at Rome. He plainly said God himself had broken off natural branches of God’s cultivated tree because they did not believe in Christ. He was, and is, severe toward those who disobey.
Paul encouraged the brothers and sisters that they they had been grafted into the tree because they do believe in Christ. He promised them that as long as they continue to trust Christ, they will remain in him. Should they stop trusting, however, he warned that they themselves would experience God’s severity toward disobedience and be cut off as well.
Parse it any way you want. Unless you are willing to distort the Word of God, the message for the brothers and sisters is terrifyingly simple: If you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
The believer — the one who trusts Christ — is secure. Don’t stop trusting.
