<p>Undoubtedly God goes along with us as far as He can in this weak and one-sided treatment of the Holy Scriptures, but He cannot be pleased with this way of doing. Our Heavenly Father takes pleasure in seeing us develop and grow up spiritually. He does not want us to live entirely on a diet of sweet stuff. He gives us for our encouragement  <span class="scriptRef" ref="isa+41">Isaiah 41</span>, but He gives us also  <span class="scriptRef" ref="mt+23">Matthew 23</span> and the book of Jude, and He expects us to read it all. The eighth chapter of Romans is one of the most elevating passages in the entire Bible, and its popularity is well deserved; but we need Second Peter as well, and we should not neglect to read it. When reading Paul's epistles, we should not stop with the doctrinal sections but should go on to read and ponder the bracing exhortations that follow. We should not stop with  <span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+11">Romans 11</span>; the rest of the epistle is also important, and if we would treat our souls fairly, we must give it the same attention we gave to the first ten chapters. </p><p>Briefly, the health of our souls requires that we take the whole Bible as it stands and let it do its work in us. We cannot afford to be selective with anything so important as the Word of God and our own eternal future.</p><p></p><p></p>

A.W. Tozer's materials are a mainstay in Evangelical churches in our day and he is one of the most quoted authors. He was a prophet in his day and his writings are even more influential in our day. One of his books: The Pursuit of God, has had over 1 million copies sold world-wide.

Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer

The Sword of the Spirit

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+11:1-24">Romans 11:1-24</span></span></p><p>We continue reflecting on the meaning of grace. Illion T. Jones, a famous Welsh preacher, said that "The word 'grace' is unquestionably the most significant single word in the Bible." I agree. But it must be understood right away that grace is a characteristic of God which is exercized only toward those who are seen as having a special relationship with Him. Nowhere in the Bible is the grace of God ever mentioned in connection with humankind generally, though some theologians frequently use the term "common grace" (a term not mentioned in the Bible) - the idea that God gives a special form of grace to the whole of humankind which restrains them from being as bad as they could be. The other day I came across a writer who said: "The creation of the universe was an exercise of grace." I understand that he might have been using the word "grace" as a synonym for love (a mistake often made by Christian writers), but strictly speaking the exhibition of grace is reserved for the elect - those God foreknew would be brought into a special relationship with Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is why we must distinguish "grace" from "mercy" or "goodness," for Scripture says: "The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all his works"  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="ps+145:9">Psalm 145:9</span>, NKJV). Arthur W. Pink says: "Grace is the sole source from which flows the goodwill, love and salvation of God into His chosen people." Grace cannot be bought, earned, deserved, or merited. If it could, it would cease to be grace. Grace flows down as pure charity, "falling on the unlovable and making it lovely." Amazing!</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Yes Father, it's truly amazing! That love should stoop down to me - an undeserving, even hell-deserving sinner - such an exhibition of grace is more than I can comprehend. But I receive it nevertheless. And because of it I am saved. Hallelujah!</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+3:1-24">Romans 3:1-24</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ac+15:11">Acts 15:11</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="2ti+2:1">2 Timothy 2:1</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What is the result of responding to God's grace?</li><li>What was Paul's exhortation to Timothy?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace." (v. 5)

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">22 </sup>Consider 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.   </span></p>

Consider therefore the kindness<cr>1</cr>  and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue<cr>2</cr>  in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.<cr>3</cr> 

Romans 11:22

 Consider 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. 

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Consider 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.

Romans 11:22 NIV

Romans 11:22 NIV

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