Gods Sovern Choice

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 9:1-29

 

Romans 9:25-26

As indeed he says in Hosea,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
    and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
²⁶ “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

(ESV)

 

Does God have a predestined will for every individual and does this will include the creation of some individuals for death or destruction in their sins and others for eternal life? Scripture is clear that salvation is available to all who choose to believe (John 3:16) and that God does not want anyone to die in his or her sins (2 Peter 3:9). However, Romans 9:21-23 seems to indicate some people are destined for destruction with others destined to glorify God. A deeper study of Romans 9:1-29 in both its context and the entirety of the Bible provides clarification

 

Paul begins the passage by sharing the great sorrow of his heart regarding the failure of many of his fellow Jews to accept their Messiah (Romans 9:1-3). The Jews have ample resources to assist their discovery that Jesus is their Messiah for they have adoption as God’s chosen people, the glory of God present in the Temple, the covenants, the Law, the worship, and the promises (Romans 9:4). The Jews also have the heritage of the Patriarchs (Romans 9:5).

 

Paul continues by stating that the Word of God has not failed because the Jews do not recognize Jesus as Messiah but that it is a matter of their choice not to be children of the promise but to remain in the flesh (Romans 9:6-13). This does not mean God is unjust but indicates that acceptance of Jesus as Messiah is an individual’s choice with the Word of God providing evidence of Jesus as Messiah (Romans 9:14-15). In addition, the path to salvation is not created through human effort but the result of the mercy of God (Romans 9:16). Using the example of Pharoah, Paul reminds us that God raised Pharoah so He could show His power on all the earth (Romans 9:17). Pharoah could have let the Israelites go at any time, avoiding the loss of the firstborn of Egypt but chose to remain hard in his heart. Therefore, it was not God who predestined Pharoah to have a hardness of heart but Pharoah who chose to remain hard in his heart and not let the Israelites go (Romans 9:18).

 

Paul then posits the question of why one would ask why God still finds fault and who can resist his will (Romans 9:19). The answer to these questions is another question asking why one would answer back to God, the creator of the universe (Romans 9:20). Referring to God as the potter, Paul states that God has the right to make one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use (Romans 9:21). Paul then posits the possibility of God enduring with patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction to demonstrate his power through vessels prepared for glory, including both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9:22-23). Paul then quotes the prophet Hosea who spoke of God making salvation possible for Gentiles (Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:25-26). Even though Israel's numbers are as the sand in the sea, only a remnant will be saved (Isaiah 1:9; Romans 9:27-29).

 

Some have interpreted Romans 9:1-29 to support a theology of predestination with God creating some individuals for destruction and others for His glory (Romans 9:22-23). However, this would contradict other teachings in the Bible that teach salvation is by grace, available to all, and God not willing for any to perish (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). 2 Peter 3:9 tells that the heart of God is that none of humanity should perish in his or her sins. John 3:16-17 tells us that God loves humanity and sent His son to save the world, not condemn it. If one dies in his or her sin, it is because they choose not to accept the gift of salvation from God through Christ (John 3:18). The predestination of God is salvation for all humanity through Jesus and not die in their sins by his grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unfortunately, some will choose to die in their sins, but this is not God’s predestined will for their life. Instead, God creates the vessel, us, and allows us to fill our vessel with the good things of God or leave our vessel full of sin.

 

God’s calling on one’s life comes in three forms,

 

1)      General calling – for all to call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13) because God does not want anyone to die in his or her sin (2 Peter 3:9). This is God’s predestined will for all humanity, but some will choose not to accept it.

2)      Vocational calling – Answering the calling to a specific vocation where one serves Christ based upon their specific gifting from God that can be in the Church or outside the Church. When we think of serving God, we can mistakenly believe this involves one working in the Church as a vocation. However, James 3:1 states that not all believers should become teachers but all are encouraged to serve God using the gifts given them by God (1 Peter 4:10-11).

3)      Calling to live for Christ – A calling to live a life devoted to God through the study of the Word of God (the Bible), prayer, and association with other believers through regular Church attendance. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the world and its system but to instead experience transformation through the renewing of our minds. This is also a general calling but only reserved for those choosing to make Jesus their savior.

 

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.