What attitudes should we avoid to prevent being "broken off" as in Romans 11:19? Setting the Scene Romans 11 pictures God’s people as an olive tree. Natural branches (Israel) were “broken off” for unbelief; wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in by faith. Paul’s point: anyone, Jew or Gentile, can be cut off if the wrong heart posture takes root. The Warning in Romans 11:19–20 “You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is correct. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear.” (Romans 11:19–20) Paul identifies unbelief and arrogance as the twin dangers. Below are the attitudes that flow from them. Attitudes That Lead to Being “Broken Off” 1. Arrogant Boasting • Thinking we deserve God’s favor more than others (Romans 11:18). • Cross-check: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). 2. Spiritual Presumption • Assuming past blessings guarantee future security, regardless of current obedience (Jeremiah 7:4). • Cross-check: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12). 3. Unbelief • Treating God’s promises or warnings as optional (Hebrews 3:12). • Cross-check: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6). 4. Contempt for God’s Kindness • Forgetting that mercy, not merit, grafted us in (Romans 11:22). • Cross-check: “Or do you despise the riches of His kindness… not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). 5. Prideful Comparison • Measuring our standing by others’ failures (Luke 18:11–14). • Cross-check: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6). 6. Complacency Toward Sin • Growing comfortable with attitudes or actions Scripture condemns (Ephesians 5:6). • Cross-check: “If you live according to the flesh, you will die.” (Romans 8:13). 7. Ingratitude • Neglecting thanksgiving for salvation and daily grace (Colossians 2:6-7). • Cross-check: “Give thanks in every circumstance; for this is God’s will for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Cultivating the Opposite Spirit • Humility: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5). • Ongoing Faith: “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17). • Reverent Fear: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). • Gratitude: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4). • Vigilance: “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:12). Key Takeaways • God’s kindness is real—so is His severity (Romans 11:22). • Faith must be living, humble, and obedient. • Avoid arrogance, presumption, unbelief, contempt, pride, complacency, and ingratitude. • Cultivate humility, ongoing trust, reverent fear, gratitude, and vigilance to remain firmly grafted into God’s olive tree. |
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