Sermon Snippet – God Forbid – Part IV
INTRODUCTION – We return today to our study of the Biblical usage of “God forbid.” This exceedingly strong expression indicates divine impossibility and also reveals the impeccable character of our Savior God. When God forbids something, we can be certain that His prohibition is for our benefit. Let us consider how “God forbid” is employed in the context of Romans 9-11, looking specifically at Romans 9:14, 11:1, and 11:11.
1. LET US NOT BLASPHEME THE NAME OF GOD
Romans 9:14 deals directly with this issue: “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” Paul then points out that mercy and compassion originate entirely in God, not in us (verses 15-16). To suggest that God is anything other than what is revealed to us in His Word is to commit the sin of blasphemy, of speaking untruth about the perfect Lord of all. In this extended passage, Paul makes it clear that God has not removed His promises from the nation of Israel. He cannot break His covenant with the Jewish people: “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself” (II Timothy 2:13). To suggest that God can break even one promise is to impugn His character, for He does not and cannot change: “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). Those who foolishly and falsely assert that God can change (sometimes called process theology or, devilishly, the openness of God) diminish Him so that He, the One True God, is no better than Allah, a moody, unpredictable, powerful being who is merely a bigger version of ourselves. Let us not move even one millimeter in that accursed direction. “God forbid” that we would demean our loving Lord.
2. LET US NOT ENGAGE IN ANTI-SEMITISM
Because the Messiah was predicted to come from the line of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Satan has had particular animosity against the Israelite people. That animosity has not lessened with the fulfillment of that specific prophecy (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). Sadly, some people through the centuries have created man-made ideas called covenant theology, also called replacement theology. One esteemed evangelical calls it Satan’s replacement theology (and I cannot disagree with him in that assessment). This aberrant idea claims that the promises made to Israel have been taken away and given to the Church. What does the Bible say? “I say then, ‘Hath God cast away His people?’ God forbid” (Romans 11:1a). Even if this explicit denunciation were not written down, the revelation of God’s blessedly consistent character throughout the Bible would assure us that He is incapable of breaking His word. However, it is also written down in the strongest possible language. “God forbid” that we join in the world’s hatred of Jewish people.
3. LET US NOT BE GREEDY, GRASPING PEOPLE
Paul writes in Romans 11:11, “I say then, ‘Have they stumbled that they should fall?’ God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles [non-Jewish people], for to provoke them to jealousy.” Many Jewish people in Paul’s time rejected the Gospel; when they did so, he preached to the Gentiles, and many were saved. “Salvation” brings with it extraordinary promises of God, including the certainty of eternal life in heaven. Why would we say that these promises to us are not enough? Why would we want to take promises away from someone else? I do not want someone else’s job, life savings, beautiful home, nice vacation. No, I want you to have what you have earned, what belongs to you. How much more should we as Christians want the Jewish people to have the detailed promises that God has graciously given to them! “God forbid” that we become greedy, grasping people, discontented with what our Savior God has so kindly granted to us.
CONCLUSION – Paul rejoices that one day the Jewish people will turn to Jesus as the Messiah (Romans 11:25-27). This “covenant” cannot be broken, for God Himself cannot be broken. Let us join in Paul’s joy – and let each one of us have the certain joy of everlasting salvation through a personal faith in Jesus Christ. His promises will never fail.