Linus The Prophet

Brothers and sisters: I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am a child of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number.

I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not become wise in your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

In respect to the Gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarch. For the gifts and the  call of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29)

Do we stumble so as to fall?  Of course not.  Then again, we are often weak and need to pray else we stumble and fall.  Perhaps Linus said it best about the Spirit’s intercession on our behalf. 

We need help in our weakness.  We do not pray as we ought.  Let's remember that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.  The Spirit helps us in our weakness with sighs too deep for words.  Let us sigh.

Deacon David Pierce