“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
Have you ever looked at someone you love and wondered, Will they ever come to Jesus?
I know I have…
Maybe you’ve prayed for them for years. 
Maybe you’ve talked to them about God, invited them to church, shared your testimony, and tried to live your faith in front of them.
And still…nothing seems to change.
It can be discouraging.
But God…
Romans 11 reminds us of something we desperately need to remember:
Don’t count them out!
Paul was talking about Israel. Many of God’s chosen people had rejected Jesus as their Messiah, but Paul made it clear that God had not rejected them.
Their story wasn’t over.
Paul used the picture of an olive tree. Some branches had been broken off because of unbelief, while others had been grafted in through faith. But then Paul said something beautiful:
God is able to graft them in again.
I love those words:
GOD IS ABLE.
We sometimes look at people and see all the reasons they probably won’t change.
God sees what they can become.
We see stubbornness.
God sees a heart He can soften.
We see years of bad decisions.
God sees an opportunity for grace.
We see someone running away.
God knows exactly where to find them.
And Romans 11 reminds us that none of us came to Jesus because we were better than anyone else. We came because of grace.
Paul says:
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works…” — Romans 11:6
That means there is no room for spiritual pride.
We aren’t standing because we were good enough.
We’re standing because Jesus was good enough.
So instead of looking down on people who don’t believe, perhaps we should get down on our knees and pray for them.
Instead of saying,
“They’ll never change,”
say,
“God is able.”
Instead of thinking,
“I’ve talked to them a hundred times and they still don’t get it,”
remember that the Holy Spirit can accomplish in one moment what we could never accomplish in a thousand conversations.
Romans 11 ends with Paul realizing just how enormous God’s plan really is:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” — Romans 11:33
In other words, Paul is saying:
God, Your ways are so much bigger than mine!
And maybe that’s exactly what some of us need to remember today.
That person you’ve been praying for?
Don’t count them out.
That child who has wandered?
Don’t count them out.
That spouse who doesn’t seem interested in spiritual things?
Don’t count them out.
That friend who laughs when you talk about Jesus?
Don’t count them out.
And maybe there’s someone who has messed up so many times that you’ve quietly wondered if they’ve gone too far.
Don’t count them out either.
Because Romans 11:23 doesn’t say, “Maybe God can.”
It says:
“GOD IS ABLE.”
So keep praying.
Keep loving.
Keep planting seeds.
Keep showing them Jesus.
And leave the results in God’s hands.
Their story isn’t finished just because you haven’t seen the ending yet.
A STEP TO TAKE TODAY
Think of one person you’ve almost stopped believing will come to Jesus.
Write their name down.
Then pray this simple prayer every day this week:
“Lord, I will not count them out. You are able. Soften their heart, open their eyes, and let them see Jesus in a way they cannot ignore. And if You want to use me to help lead them to You, I’m willing. Amen.”
Remember:
If God can graft a branch back into the tree, He can bring a wandering heart back home.
Don’t count them out. God is still writing their story.
Jesus,
You are able! I am not! You know how many times I’ve tried to change someone with my words and sometimes even my angry hurtful words. Things are the same and sometimes I’ve made it worse. I’m so sorry I’m trying to do what only you can do through the Holy Spirit. Help me surrender myself to you and surrender them to you. With you I know they will not be counted out. I believe you have a way where there seems to be no way. So I’ll keep praying for them and loving them and giving them grace over and over again just like you’ve done for me. I realize I too was once counted out by someone but look what you have done in me. I trust you to get them grafted in just like you got me grafted in! Your grace is sufficient!!!
In your previous name Jesus I pray, Amen.
