Like root like branches; or maybe not.

“For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:16

As we continue through the book of Romans, we just keep finding greater and greater blessings to the Gentile believers. Chapter 11 has truly turned into a diamond for Gentile believers. There is no doubt that in Old Testament times Gods love for Israel was truly wonderful, however it seems that every time God blessed Israel they would turn around and do more against God. Paul said that the root of Israel was Abraham because he was a holy man and because Abraham was the root that the branches should also be holy, however this was not the case. So God started breaking off the branches in order to rid the tree of its unholy branches. It is assumed that a lot of branches were broken off. Then the Lord grafted in other branches and those new branches were Gentiles. As one can see the imaginary picture of this in there mind we see the tree began to take shape as one that looks more like the root which was Abraham, a holy man. However, we as grafted in branches should not get the big head or mock those branches that were broken off to make room for us, but rather we should praise God for grafting us into this tree. Gods love is deep for some but others will never share the experience of Gods love. The grafting in of the Gentile believers was simply an act of grace and mercy of God, and not because we are any better than the branches that were broken off. “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.” verse 18. But rather than boast of being grafted in we ought to bless the Lord for being grafted in. We ought to use this opportunity and actually do what God commands of us in His word. We ought to look to the branches that were broken off and not make the same mistakes. I see professed Christian’s everyday going about life as though nothing has changed in their lives and for some or most maybe there was no change. However for those of us who were changed, for those of us who God has grafted in were the broken branches were need to beware of what could happen to us. The branches that were broken off were broken off because they failed to believe God and failed to obey His word. They attempted to change the word of God into a lie and to make their own salvation. They thought that their efforts justified them and crucified the One that told them they were wrong. Therefore God broke off their branches and set them aside. The Priest had turned their heads and allowed sin to be justified, but what they failed to realize is God saw what they did and was not happy with it. Paul said in verse 21 “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” If God did not spare the branches of His beloved Israelites what make the Gentiles think He will act differently with us. What happened to these Israelites is they lost their fear of God and assumed that God would accept their many sinful sacrifices and their many sinful acts, but He did not and neither will He of the branches that were grafted in. Paul said in verse 20 “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:” We better fear that God will break us off and set us aside, because He most certainly will just as He did with these Israelites. There are a lot of Christians that have lost their fear of God, so they fail to attend church, pray, read their bible, and to support their local church. They would rather worship in a large church or a more lenient church were the Pastors (like these Priest) will turn their heads rather than preach and expect obedience to Gods word. Beloved just because the Pastor turns their heads to sinful acts or refuses to preach things that rebukes you does not make them good Pastors, but instead makes them more like the Priest of the Israelites. Be warned beloved, God will not accept sinful worship. “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.” verse 22.