Romans 11:28-29 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.… It has been supposed that the doctrine of God's decrees would repel men, and drive them into infidelity. On the contrary, it draws men. God's decrees may be taught so as to make men feel that they are oppressive; but the thought that the decrees of God run through time and eternity, and that He is true to them, so far from being repulsive, is exceedingly attractive. You might as well say that the laws of nature are repulsive as to say that God's decrees are so. It is constancy that is the foundation of hope, and civilisation, and everything that is blessed in the world. Men are glad that light is always light, that electricity is always electricity, that all forces of nature are always true to their laws. Men are thankful that the stars revolve perpetually in their appointed courses. Men rejoice in the fact that there is fixity in all those methods by which the material universe is controlled. And the immutableness of God in the great elements of His character — truth, justice, goodness, and love — is subject-matter for profound gratulation. (H. W. Beecher.) Parallel Verses KJV: As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. |
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