“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” ~ Rom 11:29
A person can still operate in the gifts and callings of God without repentance from sin. How often have you heard this spoken to explain Romans 11:29? Does this make sense to you? It never did to me.
How can a believer live in sin, yet be able to operate as though they weren't? Why would God allow this? According to His Word, He wouldn't! See Ephesians 4.
The Gifts of the Spirit?
When we think of gifts in the Bible, we often think of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10:
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”
Is this what Paul was referring to while speaking to the Gentile believers in Rome? If we look at the context, we get a better understanding of the message Paul was delivering.
The Olive Tree
Paul was talking to the church about being considerate of the Jews. The Gentiles thought the Jews lost out on salvation because of their rejection of Jesus. Yet God wanted to give an incentive to the Jews to turn Christ. He did not want them lost.
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” ~Romans 11:11
Paul reminded the gathering at Rome that it is because of them that salvation came. He used the olive tree to show this point. They are the natural branches. God grafted the Gentiles into the tree. Now they could partake of the fruit, the results of Christ's sacrifice as well.
The Gifts of God
So what were the gifts of which Paul spoke? The context would be an open door for the grace of God to the Jews if they accepted Christ as Savior. Where would gifts of the spirit come in? The gifts are not the focus here as Paul is not addressing the issue of people walking in sin.
The gifts of God have to do with what the work of Christ provided for humanity. Paul already mentioned some in earlier chapters:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Romans 6:23
“For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” ~ Romans 5:17
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” ~ Ephesians 2:8
As you can see, the gifts of God are righteousness, salvation, and eternal life. The righteousness of Christ is key to salvation. Salvation means one is saved from the penalty of sin. That penalty is eternal separation from God, which is the second death. Eternal life is the result of salvation.
The Calling of God
It is easy to believe that the calling of God relates to ministry:
“Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” ~ 1 Corinthians 7:20
Is every man called to the ministry? Everyone's called to the ministry of reconciliation. But we know most people are thinking of the pulpit. The Bible does reference the call to preach, teach, etc. But there is an even higher calling. It is the highest calling of all.
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:14
What is the calling to which Paul is referring? It is the reason Christ died for humanity. The call is to salvation and reconciliation!
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” ~ 2 Timothy 1:9
The Gift Without Repentance
The Gentile nations did nothing to merit God's gift of salvation. The Gentiles did not consider repentance before being offered redemption. They worshiped false gods before the gospel came. It was God's plan to include all people; Jews and Gentiles alike. So the gifts of salvation, righteousness, and eternal life, which is through Christ Jesus, is without repentance. And so is the calling of God, which is reconciliation.
But now here's the rub. The repentance being spoken of is not man's repentance, but God's! Let me explain. Despite all God did for Israel, they rebelled, even to the point of offering up Christ. Yet God still held out His staff, as King Ahasuerus did to Esther in Esther 8:4.
God holds it out to them and everyone else to this day.
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. ~ Romans 11:31-32
This explanation made so much more sense to me. God turned from Israel because of their unrighteousness. Yet He will not repent for having called them as a nation and offering them the gift of salvation. As He mercifully grafted the Gentiles in, so they continue to have a way in as do we, through Christ.
I pray this post is helpful to you. Thank you for visiting!
Thank you for this post! It makes so much sense and has given me clarity to a scripture that I have misquoted numerous times.
You’re so welcome! Thank you for visiting and I feel blessed you were helped by the article.
Let’s visit Saul who was changed to Paul in the Bible. His calling was without repentance. See God works in mysterious ways b/c his knowledge FAR exceeds ours… I have a gift like the Constantine movie (Gift of discernment Seer)
No matter what others have taught and/or what we want scripture to mean, the Bible interprets itself. We can’t make it mean what we want. Context is key to right division. Please read the article again, study the verse in context with the chapter and note my response to Robin below.
I need more anointing from God
Elijah,
If you have the Holy Spirit, you have all of the anointing you need and you will ever have. God gives gifts according to His will. People seeking more have not yet trusted in God’s Word and seek more than is promised. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, not great anointings. Study His Word and lean on His truth, not man’s feelings and emotionalism.
Gifts without repentance means he will not change his mind you still have to repent . Your salvation is irevocable can’t be taken he does not take away. Many times in Old Testament when the Israeli people kindled Gods anger Moses would pray and God would repent of his anger and not destroy them . Repent means cleaned sins whiped away will never be held accountable he won’t give those sins back he remembers them know more
Thank you commenting Robin! Many people think salvation is permanent once you believe. This is not scriptural. To believe this is to say that once anyone receives Christ, they can live however they want and still go back with Christ when He returns. Is that true? We must live according to God’s Word to have any chance of eternal life. Repentance alone does not secure eternal life. There must be a change in our walk and life as well.
Phil. 2:12:”Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Why Would Paul say this if once salvation is granted it cannot be lost? You mean I can then sin and not repent and still be granted life? I think not. Yes, salvation can be lost if one stops walking in righteousness.
The Bible is clear, it does not in any way convey Calvinism!
Agreed! It does not convey any particular denomination at all. Denominations are man-made and most, if not all, stray from the truth of God’s Word in some way.
I am blessed as you explained what is meant by the gift and calling of God is without repentance. What happens when some gifted people living in sin still possess the ability to manifest their spiritual gifts of healing, working of miracles etc. It puzzles me sometimes.
Thanks for your comment, Enock! I do not know of anyone, living in sin (which makes them a sinner), who manifests the gifts of God. The gifts of God are by the Holy Spirit. And we know He (the Holy Spirit) will not use a sinner in such ways. Now understand, Satan can counterfeit the gifts. Remember the magicians and the rods before Moses? And Simon in Acts chapter 8? No one living in sin uses God’s gifts. They use satanic deception or natural talents only.
thnx that was very enlightening!!!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for taking your time to write this up, many blessings to you and more of God’s grace and wisdom be upon you in Jesus Name.
Thank you, Samuel!
sorry but the definitions is wrong. it means God will not go back on His word concerning His gifts ( The favors or benefits which God bestows on men) and His calling to them to turn away from their sins. it does not mean a sinner will receive spiritual gifts from God if then dont repent. that is a lie from satan. people need to stop pulling this out of context
Thanks for your comment, Terry. Question… What definition is wrong exactly? I agree that sinner do not receive spiritual gifts from God, if that’s what you’re saying. And I never said that. Not to mention, if a person claims to be a believer, yet still sin, the only gift they can receive is reconciliation. Anyone living in sin has not been fully converted. Remember Romans 6:2 (KJV) says “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” A truly dead man cannot sin! So, the gifts of the Spirit are given to true believers to edify the Body of Christ. But I digress. Please read Romans 11 in its entirety. You will see it does not speak of the gifts of the Spirit, but the salvation and eternal life, which is the sole purpose of God’s plan and ultimate gift to humanity. God bless!
If it says the gifts and callings are of non repentance the either your saved or not that to me by saying you can lose your salvation is calling him a lier because he said the gift and callings are of no repentance irrevocable. Irrevocable means he will be faithful in his word and promises . Many are trying to live right but struggle and many don’t understand his word that we could follow.it’s your heart where it matters do you truly believe he’s the son of God and raised from the dead you are saved by believing and by faith not what you do. I agree we should do our best to live like Christ did this day and age is bad and satin is hard at work. That makes it tougher to live like him not impossible but harder . We are born sinners and die sinners until that day come that Christ come back the with a twinkle of an eye we are made perfect. We are saved and still sin we try hard not to do but don’t even know some thing are sinful but we don’t know it is sin. But by his grace we are saved but we must die on cross daily and confess our sins and be sincere in heart and he is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from our sins.
Greetings, Robin! please read the article again. It is God who does not repent because of Israel. It is not about gifts of the spirit. As far as sin goes, I can only offer you God’s Word as to believers relationship with sin.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
1 Peter 4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
Clearly, we should not practice sin, live in sin, or make excuses to/or for sin. If we believe God’s Word, we can and should practice it. And its by and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live free from sin.
Powerful!!!
Right on point! That’s why scripture admonishes believer to study His sword, that we might be capable of rightly dividing The Word
Thank you, Bev!
Thank you so much for understanding! The devil uses deception to make people believe that they have the anointing of God and still live in sin! Saul is an example that the anointing of God is not available if you stop believing and seek after other counseling!
Thank you, Lisa!