SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 9
Bible Verses:
“What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” (Romans 9:14-16)
“Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” (Romans 9:18)
“But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:20-21)
“As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33)
GOD’S SOVEREIGN CHOICES (vs. 1-29)
Paul was sorrowful and in great anguish because he had burden for his own race, the people of Israel. Israel had the privilege of being the adopted son, divine glory, covenant, law, temple worship and the promises of the Father. But not all who were descended from Israel are truly Israel. For it is not the natural children who are God’s children but it is the children of the promised who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring (v. 8)
God is not obligated to save anybody. We are chosen only by his grace and love. He exercises His sovereign will to accomplish His perfect plan. So, nobody can criticize God and say that He is unfair. Since He is the potter and we are the clay, the potter has the right to decide what he wants to make – some for noble purpose and some for common use (v. 21). God’s plan is to save not only the Jews but also the Gentiles.
ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF (vs. 30-33)
Israel’s rejection of Christ did not ruin God’s plan. He went to Gentiles who received the good news. But there is a remnant among the Jews who believe in Him.
THOUGHTS:
GOD’S ELECTION:
- Abraham – He was chosen as the father of the Hebrew nation. Abraham had many children but he only chose Isaac as the child of promise by faith.
- Isaac – He was the child of promise by faith while Ishmael was a child of the flesh through works. The seed of Abraham are the believers and not just all who have Jewish blood.
- Jacob – Esau was the first born but God had chosen Jacob before he was born to fulfill his purpose in electing His nation.
IS GOD UNRIGHTEOUS?
Election has nothing to do with justice but rather with grace. God has the right to do what he wishes in dispensing grace and mercy. Nobody deserves God’s mercy, so nobody can condemn God for his choice. But his election makes it possible for both the Jews and the Gentiles to be saved by grace.