No shame or disappointment

Romans 9 is one of the chapters in the Bible that can easily be misunderstood if we do not read it in its context. I do not want to profess that I have a perfect interpretation or understanding of what Paul is saying in this Chapter, so I am just sharing what makes sense to me if I keep context in mind. I do think that Paul’s letters have to be read as a whole and in the context that He and his readers found themselves in at the time of writing the letter.

In verse 1 Paul tells us who he is addressing in this chapter – His fellow countrymen – in other words the Jews. We need to keep in mind that Paul has never been to Rome when he is writing this letter and therefore, He needs to explain the gospel to both Jew and Gentile, as both these groups are represented in Rome. In Chapter 9-11 he turns his focus slightly more to the Jewish reader. He is speaking to a nation that believes they are the chosen nation and keeps the law to the extent that they believe that they are saved because of that. Paul explains to them that they – even if they are chosen and keep the law – still needs faith in the completed work of the Messiah to be saved. Likewise, are the Gentiles saved by grace through faith.

When Paul appeals to the sovereignty of God and makes his infamous ‘What if” statements he is purposefully creating doubt in the mindset of the day which was the belief that they are saved because they have been chosen and keep the law. The doubt he creates here is meant to open the door for his fellow countrymen to start to consider their need for faith in a Messiah that was crucified and resurrected. I don’t think His ‘what if’ statements are at all meant to say that God chooses some to be saved and others not to be saved. I really think God’s heart is for everyone to be saved, and that we have free will to respond to His love for us.

Let’s read 1 Timothy 2:4-6

4 (God our saviour) Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.

5 For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time.

This is but one of the verses that confirms the fact that God’s heart is for all people to be saved and He gives everyone an opportunity to be saved. I believe the explanation of what Paul was saying in the whole Chapter is found in the following verses 30-33 of Chapter 9:

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles who did not follow after righteousness [who did not seek salvation by right relationship to God] have attained it by faith [a righteousness imputed by God, based on and produced by faith],

31 Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law [for the securing] of righteousness (right standing with God), actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law.

32 For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone.

33 As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations.

Both Jew and Gentile are saved through grace by faith. He who believes in Him shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations...

Point to ponder:

What have you chosen to believe about Jesus the Son of God?

Lets worship with Kathryn Scott that the King has chosen us when we were still sinners