Romans 11:17-24 (NIV)

Romans 11:17-24 (NIV)
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,
18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

It is my interpretation that when Paul is talking about the branches being grafted in that he is talking about the church. The branches that were broken off were the nation of Israel as a channel of redemption to the world. The new way of reaching people for Christ and bringing God's glory to this earth is through the church. In verses 20-22 it looks as if Paul is teaching that we as individuals can lose our salvation. That would be true if he were talking about individuals and not God's overall plan for reaching His mission. God's plan certainly includes individuals, but the part about not becoming arrogant has to do with the church. If God corrected the original plan because His people would not obey do not think for a moment God will not correct His plans with the church, if we as the church do not do His work. In verse 23 Paul again addresses the issue of Israel as a nation and not just individuals. Israel will be coming back at the right time. Individual Jews can come to faith in Christ right now, as Paul came to faith. Even in the O.T. individual Gentiles came to faith in the Lord and were baptized to show their new life. It is the nation of Israel that has been set off to the side not individual Jews. It is the same with the church. God will set aside the church as a whole if we do not do what God asks us to do. This also applies to individuals because we must obey God and never become arrogant. Verse 22 is a great verse to help us grasp who God is to some degree. God is not some pushover as we see His sternness with Israel. We also see His kindness in reaching out to the "wild by nature" people and giving them a place in the cultivated olive tree. We serve a kind God who is also all powerful and holy through and through. It is only by His grace and mercy that we walk with Him.