Fast forward to 2015, the young people of this generation are so horrendously revolting and nasty, rebellious in every way against God that they even sit in church with their nose rings and body paintings and demand you leave if you bring up the facts of God's opposing body piercing and their lack of reverence for God's church. That's right, they will ask you to leave as if you've offended them!
As I walked in to Sherith Temple one fine Sunday, a temporary abode for my Christian Church due to remodeling, I looked over and saw a 23 year old man walking in behind me, nose ring and all prompting me to comment "wow, you sure have a lot of reverence for God, don't you?" The casual attitudes, tank tops and shorts with flip flops entering such a beautiful temple dedicated to God! Dress code anyone?
A few fools came into the Israel Sherith Temple calling themselves Christians who believe no matter what they do and how much they abuse God's Grace, they will be saved from eternal hell and enter the Kingdom of God,. The fact is that Gentiles such as themselves shouldn't be so cavalier they've got eternity sealed up with Jesus because God is looking for any opportunity to graft Jews back into the vine who might repent and accept Jesus as their Messiah.
"In verse 17, Paul issued a warning to the wild branches (Gentiles):
- Warning to Gentiles: Do not boast against (κατακαυχάομαι) the natural branches (Israel).
- Question: Why not?
- Answer: Because the wild branches (Gentiles) do not support the root (God, the source of blessing)–the root supports the branches.
- Objection: But they (the natural branches, i.e., Israel) were broken off so that I (the wild branches–Gentiles) might be grafted in.
- Rebuttal: Correct–but remember–the natural branches (Israel) were removed because of unbelief. The wild branches (Gentiles) stand only by faith. Don’t be conceited but fear. If God broke off the natural branches (Israel) do you think He would not remove wild branches (Gentiles)?
22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11.22-24)
The kindness of God was grafting wild branches (Gentiles) into the olive tree. His severity was breaking off the natural branches (Israel) from their place of blessing. God’s kindness is experienced upon response to His kindness (faith). Paul warned that Gentiles, like Israel, only stand by faith."
I can assure these arrogant abusers of God's Grace, God will gladly graft a converted Jew back into the vine who accepts Jesus and displace them because they have taken the broad path in life, nose rings and all.
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it." - Matthew 7:13
