March 30th Daily Discussion

I often look at adoption into God's family as a means to understand my salvation. Romans chapter 11 reveals the same story in a much different way. My first reaction is "WOW!" At the same time I feel humbled and more aware than ever before of what God has done for me. I am grafted into the family tree by means of a broken branch. How does one express thankfulness for the grafting? Feelings of inadequacy flood over me as the revelation of being grafted into God's family tree sinks deeper into my soul.

I've not studied deep into these particular passages for some reason, I get the part where in, we're grafted into God's family because of the broken branches, salvation is available to us gentiles because of the rejection of the jewish people.
And I've always believed that the Jews are special people and are hand picked by God to be used for His plans.
But does that necessarily mean we owe the Jewish people a debt of gratitude and should treat or look at them(I'm carefully choosing my words here so as not to be offensive) in a MORE special way THAN others that are non-Jews? If so, then doesn't that contradict with the book of James teaching against favoritsm and promoted treating everyone equally?
And won't that also contradict the Lord's example when He was asked "who is my neighbor" and He chose to tell the story of a Samaritan man(a non-Jew)?
Would it be wrong if I treat a non-Jew equally as I would treat Jewish person?
I think I need some help understanding this, paging Dr. Kroll!
paging Dr. Kroll!

please help.
Thanks,

Alexb

first the rabbit trail, the story typically known as the good sammaritan could be called "who is more neighborly when I have trouble on the road?" Jesus was teaching us to be neighborly to all. We need to be good to everyone. I think the point in grafting in and out, the olive shouts, is belief, becoming part of God's family, adoption. Second point: We should react with gratitude and humility. Never boasting and always realizing the goodness of God and that all our strength and support comes from Him.

But that gets me here nor there when it comes to how I should view/treat/deal with a non-jew versus a jew.
The gratefulness to God, is given, there's no question about that, it would be foolish for anyone to thank anyone else other than God, for God's Grace is not a result of any human effort.
I get that part, but somehow these passages touches on another real life issue, and that is how we as Christians should treat/deal with a non-Jew compared to a Jew, in the light of these passages, should there be any difference? That is my conundrum.
I know this is a touchy subject, but it is very real and practical, I worked with some Muslims and some people with Jewish backgrounds, and Hindus, and I'll be honest I somehow tend to favor the one with a Jewish background, maybe because of compassion because of the holocaust, and knowing that God has made a covenant with their people.
Am I wrong? I just wanted some clarity on this. Anybody?

Alexb, I'd like to respond to your question.

We need to make a distinction here between Israel as a nation and an Israelite (Jewish individual). Let's begin by considering Israel as a nation. Do we owe the Jewish people a debt of gratitude? The answer is "yes." Despite the fact that the Jewish people failed in many ways, there was a faithful remnant that preserved the Old Testament Scriptures at the cost (often times) of their lives. From a human perspective, it would have been very easy for the Jews to have been absorbed into the nations around them (especially during the Babylonia captivity) and God's Word would have been lost. But they refused and thus we still have the Old Testament in much the same shape in which it was originally given. We ought to be grateful for that.

Moving to the New Testament, we find that it was written by Jews who became believers in Christ (and of course, Jesus Himself was a Jew). The majority of first century Christians were Jews. Even though the apostle Paul (a Jew) was an "apostle to the Gentiles," he always started with the Jews in whatever city he visited. It was not until the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 (and the dispersion of the Jews) that the Gentiles came into their own.

Should we treat them in a more special way than non-Jews? Scripture says we should "honor those to whom honor is owed" (Romans 13:7). This does not violate James 2:1-4. If you look at the context of these verses, you'll find that the rich man was being shown honor because he was rich, not because he deserved honor. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the issue was "my neighbor is the person who needs my help"; it had nothing to do with showing honor.

But the past is not the only reason for showing the Jews honor. There is also the future. God is not done with the Jewish nation. After going through Jacob's troubles, Israel will become a great nation according to Zechariah 8:22-23. Isaiah even says that Jerusalem will become the capital of the world (Isaiah 2:1-4). In light of all that, there is good reason to treat the Jewish nation as special.

On an individual level (a Jewish person), he or she should be treated with respect. But that is true of any one. Paul says in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." All believers should be treated with respect and honor (Rom. 12:10). Those who are not believers should be treated respectfully as well.

Allen, Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible

Thanks Allen,

Now that makes sense, i knew i was missing something.

So i'm still wrong if I treat a Jewish person more special than a non-Jew if my only reason is their ethnicity. But in the light of the fact that God has chosen them(Jews) as a special nation, I should recognize that fact and be grateful to them as a people in Honor of God and His covenant with them, in much the same way David spared Saul's life in respect to God's selection of Saul as King.

To tell you the truth, I was feeling a bit racist that's why it was bothering me that I tend to favor one over the other solely base on their ethnicity.

I now have a clearer understanding of all of this in a non-racial way but in a God honoring way.

I can treat both of them with respect without my conscience bothering me.

Thanks again Allen.

Hello Tami & to each one that reads P4 comments.
I Read the 28th and the 29th Such a busy weekend, Taking 7 Small Children to church Yesterday, and now it’s the 30th.
The comment about the Rabbit Trail caught my attention.
I have a small rabbit (Toy Stuffed that is ) that my wife bought me years ago, because I have the tendency to take and have taken a few rabbit trails of my own. Sometimes we may not catch the rabbit, but the scenery is nice (Makes some of us smile) and just may make the Lesson or subject we are talking about more interesting. Or even sometimes it may be the Holy Spirit bringing about a related subject that helps in the need of another.
I am so thankful for being grafted in to the Tree of God’s Family. I’ve only been here only 16 years and The limb next to me, lets see is that Alexb, and I see Bonny, Gloria, Patricia, and so many others. The Fruit that each one is showing looks a little like Jesus.. What a fine family that I get to be among. Praise God for allowing this to come to pass. I thought during the first year that it couldn’t get any better, but it keeps getting better. Anyone got some fruit that they are willing to share. Im still a little hungry.
I am also thankful for the Jews, especially Jesus and Paul.
But this caught my attention also in Romans 11:20-22 Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
This makes me think of “ The Fear of The Lord “
Any way, Lets Praise God !

Jerry - Thanks brother, that was very nice.
I was actually wondering about the "rabbit trail".
Maybe you can tell by now, i'm not an american and english is not my native tongue. So if i sound impolite, I apologize to everyone, I have a limited english vocabulary and is still learning the american way of communication.

thanks,

for the last past weeks i kept asking the question why God keep choosing the jews all the time and how their keep disobeying ,why not another nation.thank to romans i now understand,that because of the jews disobeying God ,I a gentile have been given a precious gift a gift of salvation and of getting to know my saviour more and more everyday. In this i am truly grateful thank you jesus.