In this study we continue our verse-by-verse study through Romans chapter 9, touching on the subject of predestination.
How do we understand the fact that God can sovereignly chooses whom He will, and yet at the same time reconcile this with our own personal responsibility?
Paul tells us in this chapter that God has sovereignly chosen the Nation of Israel to be His instrument through whom He has revealed Himself to the world. In Deuteronomy we read: “The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Deut 7:5-9).
As hard as is it for us to grasp, God’s choice is His, free of any obligation. If Gid did not elect, none would be saved. Salvation is of the LORD and His sovereign choice of Israel as His instrument, to whom He made unconditional promises, is not negated through through their disobedience.
Paul gives the example of Esau and Jacob. Jacob was chosen and Esau was hated. Some may argue: “God is unjust if He chooses one and leaves another”. But the purpose of God goes beyond justice; for if God did only what was just, He would have to condemn all of us! The question is not ‘why was Esau rejected?’, but “why was Jacob chosen?”!
Paul states in regard to God’s sovereignty: “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
However, on account of Israel’s disobedience, God (in His foreknowledge) has made a way for the ‘whomsoever’, both Jews and Gentiles to come to Him.
May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.
The slides used in this study are available for free download.
