#49 You can be grafted and re-grafted

"And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again." Romans 11:23

Paul is talking about how Israel started out as the hold olive tree. However, because of their unbelief, the branches, or certain people, were cut off the tree. In their place, new believers, or Gentiles, were grafted onto the tree. They don't support the tree, the tree supports them. If some of the old branches, or old believers, were to come back to belief and repent, they would be re-grafted. And they would grow and cultivate even quicker, since they were part of the natural tree to begin with.

This parable provides hope for all people. If you are new to the faith, God can simply graft you onto His tree, and you will grow and thrive. If for some reason you were with God, but then have fallen away, it's even easier to come back to God, even if it can seem harder. Some believers who have fallen away may feel that they don't deserve to come back; they knew God, then denied Him, so they have no right to be taken back. But God says that those type of people, as long as they change their belief, will come back to Him readily. Now there's no excuse!!

Lord, thank You for promising a way for all types of believers. Thank You that You are the tree that we can gain sustenance from, and that can help us grow and thrive. Help me to stay connected to Your tree, and not be broken off. I want to produce fruit for You.