Romans 11:22

Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. "Behold" -'fix your gaze' (Mon); 'Consider both' (Mof)

"goodness" -'kindness' (NASV)

"severity" -663. apotomia ap-ot-om-ee'-ah; from the base of 664; (figuratively) decisiveness, i.e. rigor: -severity.

'That which is abrupt, sharp' (Vincent p. 128) 'Sharpness or severity which cuts off' (Lenski p. 709)

"if thou continue in his goodness" -how does one "continue" in God's goodness? Clearly, continue to believe!

'In his goodness and in his severity God is neither tyrannical nor whimsical; the display of either his goodness or severity depends on man's attitude toward him.' (Whiteside p. 235)

Points to Note:

A. The obligation to remain in God's favor is the responsibility of the individual.

B. People end up 'cut off' from God and lost, because of their own stubbornness.

C. Often withdrawn from members, or their relatives argue that God is. lot more merciful than the local congregation. Well, these verses were written to. local congregation. Is God telling them, 'don't worry about unfaithful Christians, I'll save them anyway'? Is that the message? Or, is God drawing. line in the sand and warning all of us, whosoever stop's trusting Me, will be cut off-case closed.