IS GOD FAIR?
Romans 9:14-29
But, is GOD fair? <= Rom. 9:14
Hearing Paul's presentation of the gospel, anyone who knows O.T. is sure to ask: "What about God's chosen people?" How does gospel affect Israel?
WHAT HAPPENED TO ISRAEL?
RELATIONSHIP OF ISRAEL TO GOSPEL (9-11)
Relationship of Israel to God's plan IN THE PAST 9
Gospel warns of danger of trying to earn our way to acceptance by God
Only way to approach God is by faith in Christ.
ISRAEL LOST IT BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD IT MADE!
Jews forgot their inability to live a godly life.
They tried to earn their way into God's presence by keeping the law.
Result: in spite of privileged position, they no longer enjoyed blessings God promised them, and were left under God's judgment.
PAUL'S SORROW 9:1-5
Paul expresses pain, as he observes what happened to God's people.
Israel is separated from God and headed for divine judgment.
God has given them everything.
How could a people so blessed by God reject His plan and insist on trusting themselves?
ISRAEL'S REJECTION AND GOD'S PROMISE 9:6-13
God’s promise didn’t fail 6a
Israel's fall was not result of failure of God's Word.
He accomplished His work in accordance with His plan.
God’s promise didn’t include all of Israel 6b-13
Promise wasn’t intended for all who considered selves part of Israel.
His promise wasn’t based on physical descent 6b-10
His promise wasn’t based on works 11a
God chose before they were ever born, or ever did anything!
His promise was based on God’s gracious choice 11b-13
IS GOD FAIR? 9:14-29
God has right to have mercy on some and to harden others 14-21
GOD CHOOSES TO HAVE MERCY ON SOME PEOPLE 14-16
God’s choice doesn’t depend on our desire
God’s choice doesn’t depend on our efforts.
God’s choice depends on GOD’S MERCY
Israel struggled with self-centered mentality that affects all people!
Places US in center; expects everything to revolve around us.
“We can achieve whatever we want–if we just have enough passion!”
They didn’t realize people always fail because we’re sinners
We want to do things our way.
We don't want anyone to tell US what to do
Who does God think He is, to tell ME what to do? No one’s going to control me!
In spite of our condition, God takes initiative to show His mercy to some.
[Like God’s choice of Israel] OUR SALVATION:
DOESN’T DEPEND ON OUR DESIRE
DOESN’T DEPEND ON OUR EFFORT
IT DEPENDS ON GOD'S MERCY
Emphasis is on GOD'S MERCY; NOT on His CONDEMNATION.
Focus on “MERCY” in Romans 9:14-18? Why?
Because God's choice is based on His MERCY.
It isn't that God condemns people trying to do right!
God takes UNWORTHY people and gives us life in Christ.
[Though God's election is based on mercy, it has negative side!]
GOD CHOOSES TO HARDEN SOME 17 and make spectacle of them.
Most famous example in Israel's history: Pharoah.
Pharoah was responsible for his own decisions.
He did just what he wanted to do.
He’ll never be able to present excuse that God made him act like he did.
He did it gladly; he deserved God's judgment.
However, God says that He raised him up.
God hardened him to demonstrate His power and superiority to all gods.
God raises Pharaoh.
God demonstrates His greatness through Pharaoh.
God receives glory because of Pharaoh.
CREATOR HAS RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW TO USE WHAT HE MAKES 18-21 18-20
God has mercy on whom He desires
God hardens whom He desires to harden
People have no right to quarrel with God 21
Sculptors make sculpture however they want to–it’s their right!
Potters make pottery according to their purpose–it’s their right!
So, God makes His creatures according to HIS plan!
Potter's authority
Original readers are like modern listeners.
Present same objection: "How can God be just if He condemns people for doing what He made us do?"
“No matter how hard we try, we can't avoid doing what God planned!”“God makes us do what we don't want to do.”
Passage doesn’t say all the pots beg the potter to make them fancy, top-quality, fine china!
They all come from same lump–it’s the potter’s choice that makes them different! And that’s Creator’s right!
His gracious choice makes lump of clay anything!
Problem arises because of our weak minds!
God designed this plan to receive glory throughout all eternity because of His great MERCY and wisdom
Eph. 2:7: [He did this] . . .in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
God knows what He's doing! Problem: our inability to understand
God chooses the favored heirs.
He chooses according to His will, based on His MERCY.
He shows mercy to whom He wants; hardens rebels.
In both cases, God is glorified through His plan.
Theologians discussing predestination vs. free will. Argument heated; sides drawn and group breaks into 2 factions.
Man trying to decide which he belonged to. He decided to join predestination crowd. When he tried to get in, they asked, "Who sent you?" "Nobody sent me," he replied, "I came of my own free will." "Free will!" "You can't come here by free will. You belong to other group."
So he went to free will group. Someone asked: "When did you decide to join us?" "I didn't decide. I was sent here!" "Sent here!" They were horrified. "You can't join us unless you choose to by your own free will."
[Bottom line:] GOD'S ELECTION:
GOD DOESN'T CONDEMN PEOPLE WHO DESERVE TO BE SAVED
GOD SAVES PEOPLE THAT DESERVE TO BE CONDEMNED
BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY
Those who trust God rather than themselves receive God’s promises.
He chose that kind to show His mercy, NOT because we deserve it!
Is God unfair? No way! Don’t even think about it!
Creator has right to say: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy!”
Central thought: surprise in 2nd half: God puts up with people who deserve judgment–he endures our rebellious ways, waiting for a chance to show mercy–so that He can be glorified because of HIS MERCY to us. 22-24
God patiently put up with vessels of wrath prepared for destruction
So He could reveal the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy prepared for glory
God chooses to transform people who deserve judgment to receive glory for Himself, because of His mercy 22-29
Vessels prepared for destruction 9:22
God, creating Potter of universe, made everything--made it well.
Among things God made, were some made for destruction.
His greatness is made known through such things in 2 ways:
He shows patience toward rebels to save many.
Surprise: God puts up with our rebellion at all–He doesn’t “zap” us immediately!
Instead of destroying us, God waits patiently so we can repent.
Second, God’s greatness is seen in victory over all enemies that rally together to overthrow His authority Ps. 2:4-6, 12
God demonstrates superiority over all gods/powers. (Cp. Pharaoh)
Robert G. Ingersoll, delivering lectures against God and the Bible, speeches drew large crowds. One night he took watch and said, "I'll give God a chance to prove Himself. I challenge Him to strike me dead within 5 minutes!" People became uneasy. At end, he exclaimed derisively, "See! There is no God!”
Afterwards a young man said to Christian lady, "Ingersoll proved something tonight!" "Yes he did," she said. "He showed that the most defiant sinner can’t exhaust God’s patience in 5 minutes!"
As I drive down street, rowdy teens walk up middle of street, or otherwise block traffic. Do you suppose I run over them, just because they dare me to? Neither does God!
Vessels made for glory 9:23-24
God is exalted through those to whom He reveals His mercy.
"Vessels made for glory" include both Jews and Gentiles.
His work in both groups glorifies God
God demonstrates His mercy 9:25-29
God’s mercy manifested in 2 different ways among 2 groups:
In neither case is it manifested as Israel thought it would be.
Gentiles: Jews never thought God would save them. 25-26
God makes unloved outsiders into beloved insiders
Hosea prophesied: God would accept as His own a people that wasn't His people (9:25-26; Hos. 1:10; 2:23).
Jews: not ALL of them would enjoy God's promise. 27-29
God preserves a remnant among His people when they deserve judgment.
Majority received punishment because of rebellion.
God manifested mercy by saving a remnant
They deserve to be punished like Sodom and Gomorrah, or worse, for rejecting greater light.
God showed mercy by saving remnant.
Inheritance only enjoyed by remnant.
It doesn’t matter how religious or irreligious our heritage!
God delights in taking irreligious pagans–those who weren’t His people–and had no hope of becoming His people–and transforming us into His people.
He takes unloved and unlovely and transforms us into beloved ones–loved by God!
God delights in taking the religious–some from religious peoples–and calls a few.
Not because WE deserve it–but because of His mercy! =>
GOD DOESN'T CONDEMN PEOPLE WHO DESERVE TO BE SAVED
GOD SAVES PEOPLE THAT DESERVE TO BE CONDEMNED
BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY
Not a motive to complain about God’s unfairness!
Jesus’ parable about the workmen
Owner called them all to work in his field.
Some worked hard all day–some just worked a little while
Owner gave all same–because of His kindness/grace/mercy
It’s cause to praise God for His MERCY!
Who receives this gift? Who are the elect?
All who trust His Son
No one comes to Him, unless the Father draws them!
“Whosoever will” may come!
If you’re sensing the Spirit drawing you to the Savior, don’t say “NO!”