Embracing God's Goodness and Severity: A Call to Humility

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 11:18-22, we delve into the profound truths about the nature of God and the implications for our lives as believers. The passage warns against pride and self-conceit, urging us to remain humble and vigilant. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding the character of God, particularly His goodness and severity. This duality is crucial for maintaining a balanced and accurate view of God, which in turn shapes our doctrine, practice, and spiritual life.

The danger of pride is ever-present, even among Christians. It can lead us to boast against others, as the Gentiles were tempted to do against the Jews. This pride stems from a lack of understanding of God's nature and His dealings with humanity. Paul reminds us that the Jews, once the natural branches, were broken off due to unbelief, and the Gentiles were grafted in by faith. This should instill a sense of humility and fear, not arrogance.

The key to overcoming pride and maintaining a healthy spiritual life is a deep knowledge of God. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but transformative, affecting every aspect of our lives. It guards us against false doctrines and misconceptions about God, sin, and salvation. Many contemporary issues in the church, such as a superficial understanding of sin or a distorted view of the atonement, arise from a failure to grasp the full character of God.

Paul's exhortation to "behold the goodness and severity of God" is a call to embrace the entirety of God's revelation. God's goodness is His kindness and compassion, while His severity is His exact justice. These attributes are not contradictory but complementary, working together in perfect harmony. The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of this, where God's justice and mercy meet.

In our evangelism and personal spiritual growth, we must start with God, not with human needs or experiences. Our primary need is reconciliation with God, and our ultimate goal is to know Him and glorify Him. This perspective shifts our focus from ourselves to God, fostering true godliness and reverence.

Key Takeaways:

- The Danger of Pride: Pride is a subtle yet pervasive danger for Christians, often manifesting as self-conceit and boasting. It arises from a lack of understanding of God's nature and His dealings with humanity. To combat pride, we must cultivate humility and a healthy fear of God, recognizing that our standing is by faith, not by our merit. [02:07]

- The Importance of Knowing God: Our greatest need is to know God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. This knowledge shapes our doctrine, practice, and spiritual life, protecting us from false teachings and misconceptions. A deep understanding of God's character is transformative, leading to freedom from sin and spiritual maturity. [06:21]

- God's Goodness and Severity: The dual attributes of God's goodness and severity are essential for a balanced view of His character. God's goodness is His kindness and compassion, while His severity is His exact justice. These attributes work together in harmony, as demonstrated on the cross, where God's justice and mercy meet. [34:04]

- The Centrality of God in Evangelism: True evangelism starts with God, not with human needs or experiences. Our primary need is reconciliation with God, and our ultimate goal is to know Him and glorify Him. This perspective shifts our focus from ourselves to God, fostering true godliness and reverence. [21:30]

- The Holiness of God's Love: God's love is a holy love, characterized by justice and righteousness. He cannot forgive sin by simply overlooking it; it required the sacrifice of His Son. This understanding of God's love and justice should lead us to a deeper appreciation of the atonement and a more profound reverence for God. [42:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Romans 11:18-22
- [01:15] - The Importance of Humility
- [02:07] - The Danger of Pride
- [03:18] - Jews and Gentiles in the Church
- [04:51] - Corrective Against Pride
- [05:14] - Knowing God's Character
- [06:21] - The Need for Knowledge of God
- [08:40] - Impact on Doctrine
- [10:11] - Misconceptions About God
- [13:05] - False Views of Sin and Man
- [15:01] - Misunderstanding the Atonement
- [19:20] - Evangelism and God's Character
- [24:31] - Experience vs. Knowledge of God
- [27:51] - The Lack of Godliness
- [30:14] - Beholding God's Goodness and Severity
- [34:04] - God's Justice and Mercy
- [42:29] - The Holiness of God's Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 11:18-22

Observation Questions:
1. What warning does Paul give to the Gentiles regarding their attitude towards the Jews in Romans 11:18-22?
2. How does Paul describe the nature of God in this passage, and what are the two attributes he emphasizes? [05:14]
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary danger that Christians face, even after coming to faith? [02:07]
4. What historical example does Paul use to illustrate the consequences of pride and unbelief? [38:48]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the duality of God's goodness and severity influence a believer's understanding of their relationship with God? [30:14]
2. In what ways does a lack of knowledge about God's character lead to misconceptions about sin and salvation? [06:44]
3. How does the sermon suggest that starting with God, rather than human needs, changes the approach to evangelism? [21:30]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between humility and a proper understanding of God's nature? [02:27]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when pride may have influenced your actions or thoughts. How can you cultivate humility in your daily life to prevent this? [02:07]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God as revealed in Scripture. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's character this week? [06:21]
3. Consider how you view God's goodness and severity. How does this understanding affect your response to challenges and blessings in your life? [34:04]
4. In your personal evangelism efforts, how can you ensure that your approach starts with God rather than focusing solely on human needs? [21:30]
5. The sermon warns against a superficial understanding of sin. How can you develop a more biblical view of sin and its impact on your life? [13:05]
6. How does the concept of God's holy love, as described in the sermon, change your perspective on forgiveness and the atonement? [42:29]
7. Identify one area in your spiritual life where you may have become complacent. What practical steps can you take to renew your reverence and godliness? [47:34]

Devotional

Day 1: The Subtlety of Pride
Pride is a subtle yet pervasive danger for Christians, often manifesting as self-conceit and boasting. It arises from a lack of understanding of God's nature and His dealings with humanity. To combat pride, we must cultivate humility and a healthy fear of God, recognizing that our standing is by faith, not by our merit. Pride can lead us to boast against others, as the Gentiles were tempted to do against the Jews. This pride stems from a lack of understanding of God's nature and His dealings with humanity. Paul reminds us that the Jews, once the natural branches, were broken off due to unbelief, and the Gentiles were grafted in by faith. This should instill a sense of humility and fear, not arrogance. [02:07]

"For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off." (Romans 11:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride might be creeping in. How can you actively practice humility in that area today?


Day 2: Transformative Knowledge of God
Our greatest need is to know God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. This knowledge shapes our doctrine, practice, and spiritual life, protecting us from false teachings and misconceptions. A deep understanding of God's character is transformative, leading to freedom from sin and spiritual maturity. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but transformative, affecting every aspect of our lives. It guards us against false doctrines and misconceptions about God, sin, and salvation. Many contemporary issues in the church, such as a superficial understanding of sin or a distorted view of the atonement, arise from a failure to grasp the full character of God. [06:21]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of God's character through Scripture?


Day 3: The Harmony of God's Goodness and Severity
The dual attributes of God's goodness and severity are essential for a balanced view of His character. God's goodness is His kindness and compassion, while His severity is His exact justice. These attributes work together in harmony, as demonstrated on the cross, where God's justice and mercy meet. Embracing the entirety of God's revelation helps us maintain a balanced and accurate view of God, which in turn shapes our doctrine, practice, and spiritual life. [34:04]

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you." (Psalm 89:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you reflect both God's kindness and His justice in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: God-Centered Evangelism
True evangelism starts with God, not with human needs or experiences. Our primary need is reconciliation with God, and our ultimate goal is to know Him and glorify Him. This perspective shifts our focus from ourselves to God, fostering true godliness and reverence. In our evangelism and personal spiritual growth, we must start with God, not with human needs or experiences. Our primary need is reconciliation with God, and our ultimate goal is to know Him and glorify Him. [21:30]

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your approach to sharing your faith. How can you ensure that it is centered on God rather than human experiences or needs?


Day 5: The Holiness of God's Love
God's love is a holy love, characterized by justice and righteousness. He cannot forgive sin by simply overlooking it; it required the sacrifice of His Son. This understanding of God's love and justice should lead us to a deeper appreciation of the atonement and a more profound reverence for God. The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of this, where God's justice and mercy meet. [42:29]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God." (Romans 5:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus. How does understanding the holiness of God's love change the way you view your own sin and the grace you've received?

Quotes



The Apostle emphasizes the constant need of humility, the need indeed of watchfulness and of fear. He says, "Be not high-minded, but fear," when he's addressing Christian people. Remember, that is what he says to them: "Be not high-minded, but fear." And he goes on repeating this warning to them to be careful and to watch and to take heed. [00:59:09]

The best corrective against pride and all that accompanies pride, the best corrective against pride, or if you prefer it, our greatest need always is to know God, to know the character of God, to know the truth about God. Now, this is the message of this great 22nd verse: "Behold therefore." [00:47:39]

Our greatest need is to know God as He has revealed Himself to us in the Scripture. And if we have that knowledge, it will save us from most of our troubles. That's what he's laying down here as a proposition. Or I'll put that in its negative form: our greatest lack as Christian people is the lack of a knowledge of God. [00:06:19]

The first way in which it shows itself is in a tendency to ignore God altogether. But you say, surely that's impossible. That's impossible in a Christian, isn't it? Isn't it the case that so many Christian people today never seem to think, not to speak of God the Father? They talk only about the Lord Jesus Christ and they pray to Him. [00:10:10]

If you don't start with God and if God doesn't control the whole of the thinking, is that we will have a false view of sin and we will have a false view of man. Now, what is your definition of sin? I think you'll find that very often we tend to think of sin simply as something wrong which we do, and that's all. [00:13:05]

The popular idea today of the atonement is this, as you know. I often, as if been said by a certain type of popular preacher, that what's happening on the cross is that the Lord Jesus Christ is saying there, "Though you do this to me, I still love you. Though you're even putting me to death, I still love you." [00:15:01]

Evangelism is the first great activity of the Christian Church. Evangelism, preaching the gospel of salvation to men, calling them to repentance and a belief on the Lord Jesus Christ. How is it then evangelism to be conducted? All I want to try to show you is this: that if you don't start with verse 22 of the 11th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, your evangelism will show it. [00:19:20]

The object of salvation is not just to give us forgiveness but to make us holy, to make us righteous. He gave himself for us, as Paul to Titus in Titus 2:14, that he might separate unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. That's the object of forgiveness, not an end in itself. [00:45:40]

The answer to all our troubles is to know the truth about God and to believe it and to be subjected and subjugated to it and by it. Well, what is this and how do we obtain it? Well, the answer is we obtain it through God's own revelation. You've got to start with that. [00:30:28]

God always acts as a whole. May God forgive me for using such an expression. I'm going to use it in order to bring out this point: God always acts, if you prefer it, unanimously. When God acts, the whole of God acts. God doesn't act in parts. God acts always in the light of all these attributes. [00:34:04]

The object of salvation offers is to bring us to God and to a knowledge of Him. The ultimate object of salvation is the glory of God, not primarily anything in man. The way of salvation is God's way of salvation, not man's, whether man understands it or not. It is God's, and that's what it is. [00:45:05]

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. That's it. It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Work it out with fear and trembling. Don't think of salvation in terms of yourself and your subjective states and conditions of your benefits. [00:47:40]

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Transcript
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