Romans 9 reminds me of having one foot in the boat. Many of us have learned the hard way that at some point you have to decide to get in, or stay on the dock. The uncommitted tend to get wet. That is exactly where I was when my pastor first read this chapter. Today’s lesson is about fully trusting God. Paul begins his passionate proclamation of salvation through faith by expressing love for his fellow Jews. He says he has “sorrow and unceasing anguish” for “the people of Israel”. Paul praised “the law, the temple worship and the promises” made to the patriarchs. But Paul made a distinction between all of Abraham’s physical offspring, and the children that received the promise by faith. Although Jacob was born after his twin brother Esau, God declared that Messiah would be born through the line of Isaac and his son Jacob. Paul explains God’s sovereignty. Before they were born, “or had done anything good or bad”, God specified that “The older will serve the younger”. Toddlers will scream; “That’s not fair!” Paul asks the real question, “Is God unjust?” We tend to hesitate when we don’t have control. Paul completes his point, “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy”. He offers an example of the Egyptian Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this very purpose”. If God can use evil men to accomplish His perfect will, He can also use you and me. Trusting in God’s mercy, and having peace with God, are closely tied together.
Paul offers a new perspective to those that think God is unfair, “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?” God is the creator and we are His creation. “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?” We want swift justice, but so often our priority is focused on just us. Paul asks us to consider that God is showing patience “to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy”. People of Paul’s day put individuals into groups, and then assigned evil characteristics to that group. God desires to extend mercy to all, “I will call them ‘My people’ who are not My people; and I will call her ‘My loved one’ who is not My loved one”. Are you excluding anyone from God’s mercy?
Paul begins to close the loop on our bias. Specifically, he addresses the religious Jews that held onto their bloodline and their rituals. Paul says that God extends His mercy to all, “not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles”. The Israelites have been invaded, held in captivity, dispersed, and yet every time a remnant remained and reunited under God. Quoting the prophet Isaiah Paul wrote, “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved”. Twelve years after this letter was sent, Rome crushed the Hebrew rebellion in Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and left the city in ruin. The Jews were again scattered and persecuted, yet by faith, they remain a distinct people to this day. Paul, writing to the young church explains that God has extended His righteousness to the Gentiles. He calls it “a righteousness that is by faith”, not obtained through the law. Paul preached that by faith Abraham received the promise, and by faith every believer is saved. The chapter ends with another quote from Isaiah, “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”. The cross of Christ is that stumbling block. It is the point where faith meets action. It is the bridge from sin to forgiveness, and each of us must decide to enter in, or stay behind. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). This was my personal decision point. By faith, I asked Jesus to be my Savior. My friend, is it time to fully trust in God’s mercy?