Who Knows the Mind of God?
Text: Romans, Chapter 11
Introduction.
We know God, but what do we know about God? The only things we know about God are what God has chosen to reveal to us through the scriptures. In Isaiah 55:8, God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.”
So, all we do know about God, is only what He decided to tell us.
The scriptures tell us God created the world, all creatures, and mankind—which includes us. We’re told about many of His attributes, which include His loving kindness, patience, and His holiness. God is a Holy God, and He cannot tolerate sin.
Paul tells us in Romans, chapter 5, that sin entered the world when the first man created, Adam, sinned. Sin passed on to all men because all men have sinned. Paul said that the wages of sin is death—so we all deserve to die. But life came through the One—Jesus Christ. This was God’s plan.
Who knows the mind of God?
The Bible tells us God has chosen to reconcile sinful man back unto Himself with the atoning blood and the death of His only begotten Son—through His burial and through His resurrection on the third day.
Paul tells us we see the plan of God unfold through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is preached first to the Jew and then also to the Greek. He tells us the Gospel is God’s power unto Salvation—and he then tells us that this was God’s plan from the foundation of the world. Why?
Again—no one completely knows the mind of God, and no one completely understands the mind of God. We must simply accept this on Faith.
The scriptures tell us of the Love of God; but they also tell us to “fear God”. Do we understand the severity of God toward those who reject Him? We do understand the word fear in relation to our own world, don’t we? It produces a certain type of behavior in us, doesn’t it?
Let me illustrate with these two examples:
(I.) A couple was touring the Oregon Caves National monument and thought perhaps they would take a few samples of rock home with them. Now, during the tour guide’s introduction, he told the people not to take or destroy samples of rock, and he explained the penalties for doing so. The couple immediately decided not to touch a rock.
After the tour, they asked the guide, “Do you have much of a problem with people taking rocks from the caves?”
The guide replied, “No, we have very little trouble. And I don’t know if it’s because our visitors’ great love for nature or their desire to preserve the cave for all those who would follow after them. OR, it could have something to do with the $500 fine they receive if they violate the rule!”
Sometimes we do things, not because of our fear of losing our money, but out of the fear of losing our life.
(2.) In Florida there’s an old mansion on the West Coast, which is open for tours. A couple touring there asked the guide the following question: “In the master bedroom, we were surprised to see a sign on the bedsheets and curtains that said, ‘Wash Hands Immediately After Touching!’.
The wife said, “We admired the furnishings from a safe distance, but we were wondering if the fabric had been treated with some harmful preserving chemical?”
The guide just grinned and replied, “Oh, no, ma’am”, he said. “There’s nothing on ‘em. We just never did have much luck with the ‘Do Not Touch’ signs.”
Sometimes our behavior is dictated by the fear for our life. The Bible tells us “…perfect love casts out all fear”, and I know that’s true. But, I ask you—what is perfect about us today? Or the Jews in Paul’s day? Or the Gentiles in the world Paul lived in?
We are commanded—or commended—by the phrase, “…fear God…” at least 47 times in scripture!
“Oh”, some will say, “…that’s just in the Old Testament.” Well, no, it isn’t! Peter writes to Christians about fear.
1st Peter 2:17
---17---“Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king…”
Another person might say, “When the Bible uses the word fear, it always means “respect”. Well, no again. The word in 1st Peter is the Greek word “phobeo”, a word from which we get our term “phobia”. It means “to be terrified”. The word phobeo means “to put to flight”.
Romans, Chapter 11.
Now, this morning I’d like to return to our study—the same one we’ve been studying for several weeks now—Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome.
In Romans 11:20, Paul uses that same Greek word for fear—phobeo—when he said, “Do not be conceited, but fear…”.
He was talking to the Gentile Christians.
Why did he tell them that? He had already told the Gentiles they were saved in Christ through their Faith in Jesus and by their obedience to the Gospel. The Nation of Israel had rejected Christ as their savior, which meant they had rejected God’s plan for their salvation. Why were the Gentiles told to be fearful?
As we approach Chapter 11, there are several questions to be answered.
1. Has God rejected the Nation of Israel?
2. Has God rejected every “Israelite”?
3. Has God grafted the Gentile world in for salvation and completely forgotten Israel?
4. Is Paul referring to physical Israel or spiritual Israel? Are there 2 Israels?
5. If the Gentiles had been grafted into the root, could God decide to take them out?
6. Who knows the mind of God?
7. How do we approach God when we don’t always understand His mind?
The First Question.
The first question Paul addresses in Romans, chapter 11 is, “Has all of Israel been rejected because of those who rejected Christ and His gospel?
Paul answers that question in Romans 11:1, when he says, “No way! Hey, I am an Israelite!”
---1---“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too, am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin.”
Paul tells us exactly who this Jewish Christian was in Philippians 3:5-11.
---5---“…Circumcised the eighth day, of the Nation 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 the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless;
---7---But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
---8---More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ,
---9---And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through Faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of Faith,
---10---That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
---11---In order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
I believe in these 7 verses from Philippians as Paul has explained it all to us. This is why we have become Christians and what that means. We put the past in the past and count the loss of no value because of what we gain in knowing the Son of God. This is offered to all Gentiles—including us today—as well as all Israelites, according to Paul.
There were always people who remained loyal to God throughout the history of the Nation of Israel. They were called “the Remnant”. Always, there were a few that believed, and God provided for them. He saved them because of their belief and obedience.
Paul now uses the prophet Elijah as an example. Read with me from Romans, chapter 11.
Romans 11:2-4
---2---“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?”
---3---‘Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, they have torn down Thine altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.’
But what is the Divine response to Elijah?
---4---“I have kept for Myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Never has all of the Nation of Israel been rejected, because there were always some that remained obedient to God.
Well, how does that relate to the Nation of Israel during Paul’s day? He tells us in verse 5.
---5---“In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”
What an “unbelieving” Israel sought, they did not obtain—but only the “believing” Israel was chosen. Well, what happened to unbelieving Israel? Paul tells them that they were “hardened”.
Romans 11:8
---8---“Just as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not, and ears to hear not’, down to this very day.”
Paul goes on to say that King David told us this would happen, and you can read about it in Psalm 69.
Paul Addresses the Gentile Christians.
Now, Paul turns to address the Gentile Christians with a “big” problem they might have and what the result of their sin might mean.
You see, for generations the Jews had looked down upon the Gentiles—they called them “dogs”, and any contact with them was to be avoided. If Jews even purchased an item from a Gentile, they would often take it home and “wash away that pagan filth” before using it.
Jews grew up hating Gentiles, and it was a hard habit to break—even after the Gentiles became Christians. Now, maybe in Rome and other places, the Gentile Christians began to feel that “the worm had turned”. And, maybe, some even began thinking, “Now, is the time for sweet revenge, because God has now shown the Gentiles His favor.”
Romans 11:11-24.
Paul addresses this problem in Romans, chapter 11:11-24. Paul tells the Gentile Christians not to even think about doing that; and then he explains to why.
Paul began by saying that Israel had not stumbled so far as to fall, have they? He answers his own question, saying, “No, may it never be.”
He goes on to say that all of this was God’s plan to show mercy to the Gentiles in Israel’s hardening. Then he says that it was also part of the plan to provoke Israel to jealousy. Paul says, in verse 14—
---14---“If somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them…”
Paul illustrates his lesson to them by using the example of an olive tree. He tells the Gentiles that the original branches of the olive tree were broken off and they (the Gentiles) were grafted in. But then he tells them not to be arrogant about this—not to seek their revenge upon the Jews.
Now, notice what Paul tells the Gentile Christians in verses 18-21—
---18---“…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.
---19---You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’
---20---Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your Faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
---21---For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.”
Once Saved, Always Saved.
Did you know there are some people who believe and preach that once you’ve received salvation, you can never be lost? These people say that you can never be lost—no matter what you do—after that conversion experience. They say you are saved eternally, no matter what kind of life you life.
Based on what Paul tells these Gentile Christians in Rome in verse 21—“…neither will he spare you…”—I don’t get the impression that he believes that particular doctrine.
I really think we should address this teaching, because I believe it gives people who do believe it a false sense of security. One of the main reasons I think this is because of what Paul says in Romans 11:22—
---22---“Behold then the kindness and severity of God’ to those who fell, severity; but to you, God’s kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.”
I don’t think any external thing, or any other person can separate you from the love of God; and, Paul tells us that also in Romans 8:38-39. I don’t think any external thing or another person can cause you to lose your salvation. I do believe we can lose our salvation if we—ourselves— walk away from it. The only person—the only thing—that can cause me to lose my salvation is ME!
In case you doubt the accuracy of what I’m saying, just listen to these scriptures about losing one’s salvation.
1st Corinthians 15:1-2
---1---“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached, which also you received, in which also you stand,
---2---By which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.”
Galatians 5:4
---4---“You have been severed from Christ, you are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from Grace.”
1st Corinthians 10:11
---11---“Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Paul considered the seriousness of this even for himself—
1st Corinthians 9:27
---27---“…but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
2nd Peter 2:21
---21---“For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
Will God Save Israel?
Yes, God will save Israel. Paul says that in verse 26, “And thus all Israel will be saved; just as it was written.”
Now, if God is going to save all of Israel, the question is this: Which Israel? Does this mean physical Israel that wanted to be saved by the Law of Moses? I don’t think so, because Paul has already used 11 chapters to tell us that this was not going to happen. Paul has already told us in Romans 9:6—“…for they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.”
In verse 26, I believe he is referring to all of “believing” Israel—or spiritual Israel. Some say this Israel referred to in verse 26 refers to physical Israel in our future. I believe what Paul is referring to in verse 26 is the Israel God had always intended to save; and that was the believing Israel.
Will God show Israel mercy, as He showed mercy to the Gentiles? Yes, He will.
How? The same way He showed Paul mercy—that Hebrew of Hebrews. He will show them His mercy by their acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and by obeying the Gospel, which is God’s power unto salvation.
When will God do this? Paul answers that question in verses 26 and 27, telling the Gentiles what is written—
Romans 11:26
---26---“The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove ungodliness from Jacob, and this My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”
This is not in our future, but it happened during the 1st century when Jesus came into this world.
Romans 11:32
---32---“All were shut up in disobedience that He might show mercy to all.”
God’s Wisdom.
· God’s plan for the salvation of mankind comes from the very foundation of the world, and it is God’s wisdom.
· God is the wise Judge, and we are not.
· God is our Counselor—we are not His.
· God is the giver—we are not.
· God is the one from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things—that does not describe us.
God’s knowledge and wisdom are unlimited.
Psalm 147:5
---5---“Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite…”
We don’t always have to understand the mind of God—we do need to believe Him, trust Him, and obey Him.
Who knows the mind of God?
Listen to what Paul writes at the end of Romans, chapter 11—
---33---“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
---34---For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?
---35---Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?
---36---For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Invitation.
