The Problem (romans)

I. The Problem

Romans 9

14a What then shall we say?

14b There is no unrighteousness with God is there?

14c Absolutely not

15a For God says to Moses (in Exodus 33:19) "I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy

15b and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion."

16a Therefore it does not depend on the one who wills

16b nor does it depend on the one who runs

16c but rather it depends solely on God who has mercy.

In Romans 9:11-13 Paul has asserted that God elected Jacob but not Esau and that this election was not due to any works done by them at all; in fact it was done before they were born. The purpose given why God acted this way is that his goals in creation and redemption might in no way hang on the "works" of men but might be wholly dependent on himself.

That God should have no respect to human deeds in electing men may seem to some unjust. So Paul raises this question in 9:14 and answers with a resounding NO, God is not unrighteous to act this way. Verse 15 is then given as a ground (for: gar) for Paul's assertion that God is righteous to act this way. Verse 16 is given as an inference (therefore: ara oun from verse 15. Together verses 15 and 16 support the righteousness of God in his sovereign election. How do they function to give this support?

Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hands of the Lord; he turns it wherever he wishes."

Salvation is not finally in the hands of man to determine. His choices are crucial, but they are not the final, decisive power in bringing him to glory, God's sovereign grace is.

1. God elects, chooses, before the foundation of the world whom he will save and whom he will pass by and leave to unbelief and sin and rebellion. He does this unconditionally, not on the basis of foreseen faith that humans produce by a supposed power of ultimate self-determination (= "free will").

Acts 13:48, "When the gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the word of God. And as many as were for ordained to eternal life believed."

Romans 11:7, "Israel failed to obtain what is sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened."

John 6:37, "All that the Father gives to me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out." John 17:6, "I have manifested my name to them whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me." (John 6:44, 65).

2. The Atonement applies to the elect in a unique, particular way, although the death of Christ is sufficient to propitiate the sins of the whole world. The death of Christ effectually accomplished the salvation for all God's people.

Eph. 5:25, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Heb. 10:14, "By a single offering he perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

John 10:15, "I lay down my life for the sheep."

Rom. 8:32, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things?"

3. Because of the Fall, humans are incapable of any saving good apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. We are helpless and dead in sin. We have a mindset that "cannot submit to God without divine enabling.

Rom. 8:7-8, "The mind that is