Gifts and Calling of God

ACE of HEARTS

According to Paul (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32), "the gifts and the calling of God are:

1. Temporary
2. A figment of Israel's imagination
3. Irrevocable
4. Now only offered to Christians

The answer is #3. Paul spends a good part of his letter to the Romans trying to offer an understanding of how Israel can continue to be God's chosen people despite the fact that most of Israel rejected Jesus. Paul says that Israel's gifts and calling of God will never be denied them. As Christians, we have a similar sense of the irrevocability of our call and gifts. Baptism is considered to leave an indelible mark on us. That means we will always be seen by God as his beloved even when we refuse to accept or live into that love.