Christians: What is your take on this verse?

Question

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29

Just describe in your own words what you think this verse means. Thanks! :)

P.S. Best answer will be judged on the answer with the most depth and insight into this verse. :)

Answer 1

Lets start by looking back a little further. The section actually starts in verse 25. Paul is speaking to the Romans about a very potent issue, even among the Christians today. Paul speaks of the Israelites, as they have become enemies of the Gospel. Have they turned against God? Are they enemies of God? If they are His chosen people, how can He value them more or less than anyone else if they are killing off those who stand for Him and His Son (bear in mind the Christian Chruch was founded by Israelites). There was a festering resentiment between the early church and the people of their heritage. Paul is telling the Romans not to draw a line in the sand and determine the fate of others, this will always be the realm of the Heavenly Father. Paul's message speaks that th hardening of their hearts is part of God's plan (very similar to that of the Pharoh with Moses), "until the full numbers of the Gentiles has come in." This means there is a time and place for their hearts, and though it hurts now, it still operates within God's plan. Again, the verses prior reflect back to Isaiah's message (Isa. 59:20-21) regarding the Israelites, and largely their role to come. They still have a role in the second coming. Though they have refused the Messiah, it was all known by God, as this allowed the way of the Gentiles to come into fellowship with Christ. But God has not forgotten His promises to His people. The greek word used for gifts is where we receive our word Charisma, which is spelt the same( with english translation). The word means religious qualification or spiritual endowment. God's salvation, the promise to the Israelites, is irrevocable. He will not forget them, regardless of how ruthless and violent they are to the early Church, they will ALWAYS have a place in His heart. This does not excuse them of their actions, merely testifies to the level of God's love. This is the same message that is spoke to us throughout the gospels, as Jesus makes it known that all who follow Him will fellowship with Him in eternity. So we too share that same level of commitment and love on the part of the Father. Regardless of the level of depravity or selfishness of my sin, God will always wait for me. He will never turn away His ear to my needs and pain. If sin stands in my way, He will forgive. Whatever it takes, to get me back to Him.

Answer 2

It means that when God gives a gift or calls someone to the ministry, the gift or calling remains. Irrevocable is also 'without repentence' in a different translation. Meaning that God calls people or gifts people. People sometimes don't activate the calling or gift because they choose to not confess Jesus Christ their Lord & Savior nor trust God that Jesus raised from the dead. They just don't trust God enouph to totally commit to God. So? The gift or calling to a ministry is still there. Waiting for the person to commit to Christ & receive or activate their 'high calling' in Christ.

So, when a Pastor falls in sin, then it usually is because the Pastor got self righteous or never really committed to Christ in the first place. Or isn't even born again. God doesn't take away the calling to be Pastor or Evangelist, etc. Sometimes God calls people when they are children. And the child gets abused in the Church by a pediphile, so the child can't really commit to Christ. Even if Jesus called the person to be an Evangelist. So the person lingers in limbo as God waits for the person to come to repentence & trust God Is who God says God Is.

Also, when God gives you a gift, it will remain with you. The gift of speaking a different language in praises to God or confirming what God said is true. God won't take this gift away. If God has gifted you with a evangelical faith & healing ministry, and you operate in this gift. God won't take this ministry away from you & give it to another. But you are held accountable for how productive you are with this gift. And those who brings increase with the talent God gives, is rewarded. It is all for the Gospel of the Kingdom sake. For more people to be saved.

Answer 3

From the moment that our souls were created, by the gift of God, the truth of all things has been within our souls waiting to be awakened. Once awakened, the Holy Spirit, illuminates a path of expanded consciousness that in my experience is irrevocable because the wisdom imparted by the Holy Spirit is innately known by the soul as truth. Each day from that moment on the Holy Spirit illuminates deeper and subtler truths which had previously escaped our understanding. Ultimately through prayer and meditation we understand that God's love is infinite and we seek nothing but reunion with our wonderful God. As Saint Teresa said, this reunion with God is like light that comes into one room from different windows. Since the true source of the light is the same the resulting light is indistinguishable. .

Answer 4

It means that God can not be replaced and His gifts which He has given everyone a gift, it is up-to -you to pray and feel what gift may be yours.

The gift He has given me are to work with those in need, no matter what the cause.

God called me to do this, since the 1980's. I, along with a little girl that came through a line waiting to receive her Thanksgiving Dinner was in a very thin purple dress, it was cold and raining. I ask her if she was cold she ask if I had a coat. Needless to say that is how the coat drive started in Memphis, Tenn. Now there are coat drives all over the Nation.

Answer 5

Christianity began within the womb of the Jewish religion. Paul, a scholar of the Law of Moses, and the writings and wisdom of his people, had been a member of the Pharisee's spiritual movement. The Pharisee's were primarily lay people, and they were the developers of the synagogue as a site of teaching and worship. Perhaps the greatest conflict of the early Church was in the relationship between Christians and Jews. The first Christians did not see themselves as anything other than Jews, but late in the first century AD, Christians were excommunicated from the synagogues. Paul writes to the Romans in the era leading up to that breaking of fellowship, and his concern is to establish that the rejection of the Jews paves the way for the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

But he is careful to establish that God does not reject the Jews, they are still loved, God remains faithful to the covenant He made with them. "The gifts and call of God are irrevocable."

It is a sad commentary on our own history that we have often forgotten this, and anti-semitism has flourished among Christians. Part of the call to Jubilee is an examination of our conscience, and certainly, there is much in Christian history that cries out for repentance and change of ways when it comes to anti-semitism.

It was a hard thing for the early Jewish Christians to see that the Table was big enough for the Gentiles. And for the descendents of the Gentile Christians, it became a hard thing to understand that the Table was big enough for the Jews too.

This is also a good time to remember the descendents of those first Jewish Christians, who live today in the land of Jesus's birth, life, death, and resurrection, the Arab Christians of Palestine, and their cousins who are Islamic. How hard it is for many of us to understand that the Table is big enough for them too! There are hard feelings and much injustice, but the gifts and call of God are irrevocable, and that applies to everybody in Palestine, including the Arab Christians and Muslims.

Answer 6

This verse by itself doesn't sculpt enough and too much can be read into it without at least surrounding verses. It is part of a chapter and has something to do with Gentiles being allowed into God's plan and not just the Jews.

God has shown mercy on Gentiles who believe in Him and wants to include them. Therefore, His gifts to Gentiles and His calling for them and for all who are obedient cannot be taken away.

Answer 7

Here is my take on it.

For - We need to see the rest of the chapter to see what this verse is "for". Chapter 11 is talking about Gentiles being offered salvation, because some Jews refused. Gentiles should not look down on Jews and be proud though. God will still redeem Israel - He promised.

the gifts - This chapter is talking about salvation. I think that's the gift talked about here. See Romans 6:23 - the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

and the calling - Verse 26 is talking about God's promise to redeem Israel. God calls people to repentance.

are Irrevocable - unchanging. Not taken back. Remain the same. God is not sorry for offering the gift of salvation and calling people to repentance. He will not take the offer of salvation back.

Answer 8

God gives all believers certain gifts and he gives them according to what he has called us to do. Unbelievers will also have some gifts from God but they will be using them in ways that are not pleasing to him. For example, professional singers. Many professional singers sing things that would be far from pleasing to the Lord but have much ability. This is because he has given them the gift and until they know him personally they will abuse it.

Answer 9

The context in the verse is in reference to His unchanging relationship with His Covenant People, the descendants of Abraham. God will always fulfill His promises and uphold His end of the Covenant whereby He promised certain blessings to the seed of Abraham.
One caveat for the presumptuous -
John Baptist when certain hypocritical descendants of Abraham came to him, supposing they could disregard the Word of God sent to them through John were warned thus:
"And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
Matthew 3:9-10

Answer 10

It is impossible to lose salvation.

The gifts that God gives to believers are never taken away

And in context of Romans 9, 10, and 11, the Jews are not replaced by ANY group.