Romans pt 18; The Shape of Israel
Election and Remnant
In Romans 11, Paul presents Israel as a people in constant reorganization by God for the purpose of mission. Looking back at Israel story in the text, Paul points to the words of Elijah in the first 5 verses of chapter 11. He wants them to notice their own cycle of idolatry, exile, repentance, and return that encompasses their history as Gods people. They chase after other gods and nations, they end up in enslavement and exile, and then they call out to God for salvation, which he always grants to them. But he also wants them to notice Gods response to this cycle: remnant.
A helpful way that I have found to describe Pauls theology is by picture the Bible like an hourglass. At the top, the people of God are far and wide as God promised Abraham they would be (“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore” Gen 22:17; Ro 9:27). In Pauls mind, it was never Gods intention that each one of Abrahams children might play the same part in the rescue mission; some were intended to serve God's plan by falling away, and others serve God's plan by remaining faithful.
As the story of the people of God moves forward there is a cycle that repeats itself over and over: Idolatry, exile, and return. And as this cycle was repeated and repeated, Israel was reduced to smaller and smaller numbers as only a remnant was elect (chosen). And with every falling away and election, the remnant becomes smaller and smaller until there is but one single faithful descendant from Israel, Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus stands at the center of the history of the people of God; he becomes the entire point of Israel. He stands as the fulfillment of all that God was doing both through the people of Israel and the Torah. Their story passes through Christ, becoming Christoform, shaped by Christ, into the shape of Christ. Thereby achieving the promised redemption of mankind.
Christ is the culmination of the law, so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4)
From there, the widening of the people of God begins again. In the Old Testament, it started with the twelve sons of a man name Israel. In the New Testament, it once again starts with twelve boys, chosen by Jesus to expand the people of God once again. As both Jews and Gentiles become his followers, the church emerges as the new community centered on God, but now, with a full understanding of who God is and what God wants.
“Our” Salvation
Let me ask you a question:
Personal salvation VS personal transformation; which one is better for Gods world?
In the post-reformation world, it is tempting to tell a story of personal salvation, that the work of Jesus was centered on bringing people to heaven after they die. But when we understand the Jewish/Gentile context of Romans, we can finally begin to see salvation, and election, as something very different. Instead of being chosen or elect by God to go to heaven, Paul is telling the story of a God who elects people to do beautiful and faithful things for his kingdom and his world.
A faith that is centered on personal salvation is a faith that obsesses over escaping. Escaping what? A broken world filled with “pagans” and “unbelievers.” Of course, this broken world and these pagans are the exact people Jesus came to love, to serve, and to save.
A faith centered on the idea that you have been chosen for transformation unto Christlikeness is a faith that blesses, not just the person being transformed, but the people in their immediate vicinity. God elects people and calls them out, not for life-after-life, but in the life-before-death. Personal transformation leads to communal salvation, it is necessary so that others can be ministered to, cared for, so that the lonely can be befriended, the sick can be healed, the enemy can escape their hatred, and all that is broken can be fixed.
You personally are not the end goal of your salvation. Your salvation is for God; your election is for God. Your salvation turns you into a conduit through which God brings salvation to others! It was never about your personal salvation… it was always about your transformation for the world's salvation. When we make our salvation about ourselves, we oftentimes become jealous people; we become gatekeepers, and we only let people in who are like us.
Your salvation takes part in my salvation. Your formation benefits me. Your growth makes us healthier. As you are being saved, we are being saved.
Discussion Questions:
Paul emphasizes the concept of "remnant" in God's response to Israel's cycle. What do you understand by the term "remnant"? How does the idea of remnant challenge our understanding of God's plan for His people?
The teaching describes Jesus as the culmination of the history of the people of God. How does Jesus fulfill the promises and purposes of God for both Israel and the world? In what ways does Jesus shape our understanding of God's plan and redemption?
How does personal transformation lead to communal salvation? What are some practical ways in which our transformed lives can benefit and bless others?
The lesson challenges the idea of making salvation solely about ourselves and becoming gatekeepers. How does this perspective hinder our relationships with others? How can we shift our focus from personal salvation to a transformation that serves the needs of others and brings salvation to the world?
Reflecting on the lesson, how can we practically live out our faith in a way that promotes personal transformation and communal salvation?