Good Morning Loved and Called. Check out Romans 9 - it’ll mess with your categories.
Among other things Paul is dealing with the doctrine of Election in correlation with the doctrine Mercy and Grace. That is to say, God chooses some, and some He doesn’t; yet, in His
Mercy and Grace - “God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16. Furthermore Romans 1 tells us that God had revealed Himself to us universally through all of creation so that EVERYONE is without excuse.
So which is it? It appears like anyone can believe, give their life to Jesus, and be saved. But Jesus himself said this “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44
In our chapter today, talking about Jacob and Esau, Paul addresses this issue - check it out:
“Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Romans 9:11-15 NIV
Does that mess with your categories or what? This is not an isolated incident. The Bible is filled with examples of Mercy and Grace to some and not others. We grow up learning, even repeating phrases such as: “God loves everyone.” “We are all Gods children”. Surely it makes us feel good, but does Scripture really say that? Or does it say the opposite? “For God so loved the world…”, collectively yes! He collectively loved the world but it DOES NOT say everyone in the world. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12. IF you BELIEVE in Him you get the right to become His child. That doesn’t sound like we are all automatically children of God - but the children of God part seems to be tied to BELIEF.
So which is it? Is Salvation available to everyone, “whoever believes…” or does He only call some? YES! Both… in some measure! Where is the line… Ha Ha! The problem here is we arrogantly try to figure out an unfathomable, limitless God that is not bound by our physical laws in any way - with our very limited human minds. We CANNOT define a limitless God with a limited mind, nor should we ever attempt to do so. He will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy - and we don’t get to define it as good or bad. You see we ALL deserve death - separation from Him. That’s what we’ve all earned. How is it bad if He chooses to save some?
Look, I definitely don’t have it all figured out! What is clear is “No one seeks God”, Romans 3:11. No one is looking unless He is calling, thus if you’re looking for Him you’re called and need not worry. Understand, the one not chosen is NOT looking. They don’t care. They don’t think they need Him because God has not called them. They have suppressed the Truth of His existence with wickedness Romans 1.
The real question is if He is standing at your door knocking are you opening or ignoring Him? Are you responding and receiving the “right” to become a child of God? It’s a real question. The most important of your life.
Love you all! Dig in!
Among other things Paul is dealing with the doctrine of Election in correlation with the doctrine Mercy and Grace. That is to say, God chooses some, and some He doesn’t; yet, in His
Mercy and Grace - “God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16. Furthermore Romans 1 tells us that God had revealed Himself to us universally through all of creation so that EVERYONE is without excuse.
So which is it? It appears like anyone can believe, give their life to Jesus, and be saved. But Jesus himself said this “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44
In our chapter today, talking about Jacob and Esau, Paul addresses this issue - check it out:
“Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Romans 9:11-15 NIV
Does that mess with your categories or what? This is not an isolated incident. The Bible is filled with examples of Mercy and Grace to some and not others. We grow up learning, even repeating phrases such as: “God loves everyone.” “We are all Gods children”. Surely it makes us feel good, but does Scripture really say that? Or does it say the opposite? “For God so loved the world…”, collectively yes! He collectively loved the world but it DOES NOT say everyone in the world. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12. IF you BELIEVE in Him you get the right to become His child. That doesn’t sound like we are all automatically children of God - but the children of God part seems to be tied to BELIEF.
So which is it? Is Salvation available to everyone, “whoever believes…” or does He only call some? YES! Both… in some measure! Where is the line… Ha Ha! The problem here is we arrogantly try to figure out an unfathomable, limitless God that is not bound by our physical laws in any way - with our very limited human minds. We CANNOT define a limitless God with a limited mind, nor should we ever attempt to do so. He will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy - and we don’t get to define it as good or bad. You see we ALL deserve death - separation from Him. That’s what we’ve all earned. How is it bad if He chooses to save some?
Look, I definitely don’t have it all figured out! What is clear is “No one seeks God”, Romans 3:11. No one is looking unless He is calling, thus if you’re looking for Him you’re called and need not worry. Understand, the one not chosen is NOT looking. They don’t care. They don’t think they need Him because God has not called them. They have suppressed the Truth of His existence with wickedness Romans 1.
The real question is if He is standing at your door knocking are you opening or ignoring Him? Are you responding and receiving the “right” to become a child of God? It’s a real question. The most important of your life.
Love you all! Dig in!
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