A miracle of God.

Romans 11:17-18 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. How easy it is for pride to show itself. Paul didn’t want his Gentile readers, who had the riches of God’s grace bestowed upon them to think too highly of themselves. Yes, the Jews were being broken off, and yes, grafting a wild olive branch into a rich root is unnatural. It’s not the way it is done. One grafts a good branch into a wild root, and it will produce good fruit. That’s natural. But God’s plan isn’t natural, and God works in mysterious ways. Paul intended his readers to understand that God has done a miracle, He’s done something entirely unnatural, by bringing in the fullness of the Gentiles before the fullness of the Jews. We are justified in Christ through faith, but Abraham was the first, He was the root of the tree of God’s salvation which includes both Jews and Gentiles. Thus, our very salvation which we enjoy today was birthed in Abraham when he believed God’s promise. He was the first fruit, and everyone else is the fruit of God’s work in him. Indeed, justification by faith is a rich root! Your very spiritual life breath has been coursing through history from Abraham to you. You are a miracle—a miraculous work of God. May you live today in the awareness of this miracle of grace. Enjoy His love and pass it on for His glory. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com