January 21, 2014
GOD IS GOOD. GOD IS SOVEREIGN.
Romans 9:1-18
John Almquist
Central Truth
From birth, all people are spiritually separated from God and destined for eternity apart from Him. In mercy, God shows love for us in that while we are sinners, He still divinely chooses His people for salvation. God is good in His choosing, and God is sovereign in whom He chooses.
Key Verse | Romans 9:16
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Romans 9:16)
Romans 9:1-18
God's Sovereign Choice
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, 1 9:3 Or brothers and sisters my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, 2 9:16 Greek not of him who wills or runs but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
Dive Deeper | Romans 9:1-18
When I first read this passage, I found myself feeling uncomfortable. So I knew I had to examine clearer passages of Scripture to illuminate this more difficult section. With prayer and God's help, this text now reminds me that even though no one chooses God, God chooses us. He desired me, even though I did not desire Him.
The first characteristic of God I examined was His righteousness. As sinners, we all are deserving of death, as our sin separates us from a perfect God (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Matthew 5:48). Furthermore, in our dead state, we never desire God (Romans 3:11). These first reflections of God reminded me I am a sinner deserving separation from God, and, in my separation, I neither desire nor choose God.
Praise God, as I was then brought to the power of the gospel. Even in my rebellion against God, He does not desire for me to live separate from Him but to repent (2 Peter 3:9). This showed me that while I did not desire God, He desired me. And finally, I remembered how God showed His love for me in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Romans 5:8). I did not choose God, yet He chose me and sent His Son to die on my behalf.
In my deserved separation from God, I never desired Him, yet He desired me. I never would have chosen Him, yet He chose me. Therefore, this Scripture demonstrates God's goodness. As we are all deserving of death without a desire for a Savior, we see God respond by still desiring a relationship with us. He desires us when we don't desire Him. He chooses us when we don't choose Him.
Finally, that leaves me with this question: Why did God choose me? I have no idea. What I do know is that He calls me, as a chosen child of God, to share His redeeming grace with all I meet. His is the greatest kindness ever extended, and He wants the world to know (Romans 10:14-15).
Discussion Questions
1. After reading this passage, what does it teach you about the character of God?
2. Do you believe that God is good? Do you believe that God is good even though sometimes you don't fully understand His ways?
3. When you think about how God desires you, even though you did not originally desire Him, how does that make you feel?