“For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.  (NLT).” Rom. 11:21-22. NLT. 

The Bible nowhere teaches once saved always saved. In Rom.11:21 Paul firmly warns the Gentiles that if they become as arrogant and boastful about their spiritual privileges as the Jews had (see Rom.2:17, 29), they will suffer the same fate. That is, even though they had been grafted in, they could be cut off. If the natural branches could be cut off, then so can the grafted ones if they also become arrogant. 

Realising our weaknesses is a continuing must in the Christian life. Paul repeatedly teaches that none of us have any hope, peace, or security except as we maintain a faith connection to God through Jesus Christ. Thus the apostle has provided his readers with a clear and unmistakable warning not to presume on God’s mercy. While God loves us and will do anything for us, we also need to remember His hatred of sin, because it is sin and its results that destroy the peace, happiness, and lives of His created beings here on earth. The God who justifies must of necessity also be the God who judges. He wants to put an end to the sin problem. God may be a deity of love, but His love is not that of a toothless old grandfather who lets everything go by. The God who truly loves must judge sin as being destructive. He urges us, if we desire to remain in the olive tree, to put away all arrogant sin from our lives. 

Christianity seems to have difficulty balancing justice and mercy. Some emphasis God’s justice others talk about God’s mercy and kindness. Those on the love side see God as perfectly harmless. Where is the balance? Paul seeks to establish it in v22. He presents God as being both stern and kind. But the apostle also puts that sternness and kindness into context. God always extends His kindness to those willing to accept it. He wants nothing more than to share the kindness of His grace with all those on earth. Those who “continue in His kindness”(NIV) or grace have nothing to fear. 

But those who trust in themselves, reject His grace, and rebel against God can expect to see the stern side of God. Those who persistently refuse God’s kindness, however, He will eventually “cut off”. Those are hard words. They are judgment words, both in the terms of the olive tree here on earth and the future kingdom that will come to fruition when Christ returns. Our hope, as the old song places it, is in Jesus and His righteousness. Day by day our most important task is to stay connected to Him and His kindness. Only then will we never be “cut off”.