"Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness" (Romans 10:3)

God's righteousness and our righteousness are polar opposites. Apart from Christ our right standing with God is impossible. It was Isaiah who said that our righteous acts are like filthy rags ( Isaiah 64:6 ). He was talking about self righteousness (the things we do to try to make us right with God). Self righteousness looks great on the outside and people notice it. Like the Israelites our churches are filled with people who look holy but solely trust in themselves to be good enough for God. They are seeking him based upon their righteousness and what they can accomplish for God. However God does not grade on a curve, our righteousness in no way compares to his.

Paul said in today's passage that the Israelites didn't know God's righteousness and so they tried to establish their own. What is God's righteousness? His righteousness is the uprightness that He ascribes to. It is who HE is - in thought, word and deed. As you can see, this is a polar opposite of who we are as humans. God is so holy, completely just and true, in every sense of the word. It is impossible for us to approach God on the basis of what we've done, even though all of it seems good in the natural realm. In our own self sufficiency and sinful state we would not even be able to stand in His presence because of the effects of sin.

Paul said in Romans 5, "before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law" ( Romans 5:13 ). So sin existed, but God was not crediting it to the accounts of mankind before the law was given. So they mistook his forbearance with sin to be his acceptance of it. Sin became more and more prevalent in the world, so in contrast, a life lived holy looked pretty good in comparison to the corruption that existed. Therefore the law was given to the Jews and it outlined hundreds of rules and guidelines on how to live. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness to them. Compared to the nations around them, they assumed they were good enough but in comparison to God's righteousness, the law showed them it was impossible to fulfill on their own. The law came with both blessings and curses ( Deuteronomy 28 ), and they were subjected to those by how they lived. The law was never intended to be a plan of salvation. The law was intended to show us our inability to earn our way to heaven and to reveal our need for a savior.

This is a major truth in the Bible; we cannot earn our way into heaven by our good deeds. If we are relying on what we do for God and our own self righteousness, then Paul says that we remain under the curse of the law. "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith" ( Galatians 3:10-11 ). God knew it was impossible for us to fulfill the law so he provided another way to be justified before him through Jesus. This comes about by faith and those who are righteous before God live by faith. He went on to answer the question on everyone's mind, "What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come" ( Galatians 3:19 ). Romans says it this way, "no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. ( Romans 3:20 ). And again Paul said in Galatians, "the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith ( Galatians 3:24 ). In other words the law shows us our need for a Savior so that we will fall upon the grace and mercy of God and trust in his plan for salvation instead of our own. The law was intended to get us ready for Christ and was never proposed to be the way to God.

The amazing thing about falling upon the mercy of God and accepting this grace message is that by doing so, we know and submit to God's righteousness. Romans says, "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" ( Romans 3:21, Romans 3:22 ). Which means that we obtain God's righteousness through faith in Jesus and since we are righteous by God's standards, we can stand before him, completely justified, where before it would have been impossible to be in His presence. Romans goes on to say, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law" ( Romans 3:28 ). This is good news for us today. We do not have to rely on what we do to please God, he is pleased with us on the basis of faith in Jesus. There is nothing else we can do to add to it, he looks at us and sees us completely whole, righteous and justified before him as if we had never sinned. What an incredible blessing it is to submit to the righteousness of God.

Today it is my prayer that you recognize how righteous you are in Christ Jesus. You have God's righteousness covering you and you can stand in His presence fully justified, forgiven and loved. Sin is not an issue with him because he has paid your debt to it. Through faith in Jesus we are the righteousness of God, amen!

"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge"(Romans 10:1-2)

Like the Israelites many people are passionate for and about God but have no regard for the truth of Jesus Christ. We use our religions and doctrines to umbrella God into what we want him to be or what we think he is. But Paul said in yesterday passage that there is laid in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and fall and that stone is Jesus Christ ( Romans 9:33 ). If you remove Jesus from His deity and worship God without regard to him then your worship is in vain and it is not based upon truth or knowledge.

This is an incredible reality to understand. Worship is misguided and meaningless unless it is based upon the truth of God's word. Jesus said the same thing in John chapter 4 when he was speaking with the women at the well. She had been questioning him about an age old argument between the Jews and the Samaritans and Jesus revealed to her an amazing thing. He said, "You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" ( John 4:22-24 ). He tells her plainly that they do not know the truth. The truth is that true worshippers have to worship God in spirit and truth. This can only happen through Jesus. God is a spirit and to communicate with him on a spiritual level we must be born again. Born not naturally but supernaturally from above.

The world is okay with religion and okay with talking about God, and the world wants you to think that many roads lead to heaven. It is acceptable to talk about Buddha and teach about Allah but at the mention of the name of Jesus the world gets hostile, because there is power in that name. Peter said, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" ( Acts 4:12 ). So as long as we can be deceived looking outside of Jesus for salvation and meaning in life then we are no threat to the world. Just like Paul said in today's passage, "I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge" ( Romans 10:2 ).

Jesus is the vital piece of information that we must have in worshipping God as he desires. Even as Christians we can be well meaning in what we do, but what good is that? Hosea said, "my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge" ( Hosea 4:6 ). Unless we understand the truth of God and his word we will destroy ourselves in our well meaning ignorance. God's word is full of the person of Jesus Christ, what he has done, what he has provided in his redemption package and what he will do for you once you come to him. He is the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to God the Father except through him ( John 14:6 ). This is the knowledge that Paul desired the Israelites to have. He knew Jesus was the missing link in their devotion to God.

Jesus said in John, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" ( John 8:31-32 ). The truth is the truth, but to be free, you have to know it. Religion does not want you to be free, that is why it keep you bound up under the power of the law. But it was John who said, "the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" ( John 1:17 ). Today, it is my prayer that you understand the grace and truth found in Jesus alone and fully trust in him as your personal savior. This is the knowledge that Paul desired for the entire world to grasp. Jesus is the rock laid in Zion that many stumble over, however to those who fall upon Him they will never be put to shame ( Romans 9:33 ). Today, be blessed by this truth in Jesus name, amen!

"What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame" (Romans 9:30-33)

What a shock Paul's statement must has been to the Jew steeped in rituals and law. This proclamation comes as an awakening to many of our churches today. The only way to obtain the righteousness that the law prescribes is by faith not works. The gentiles who did not follow after righteousness or seek salvation and relationship to God found it through faith in Jesus by believing the gospel message they heard. They believed in him and God imputed his righteousness to them. This only happens through faith. In the same way, the Jews who sought God through what they did and did not do, never obtained it because they never trusted in God to justify them. They only looked to themselves and their self righteousness to fulfill the law. Paul said they stumbled over the stumbling stone and fell flat.

Jesus is the only way to heaven. He said in John, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6 ). Jesus is the precious cornerstone that Isaiah prophesied about, "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" ( Isaiah 28:16 ). He is the rock of our salvation and the basis of our entire foundation. Those who have looked to him have found security and eternal life in Him. However to those who reject him, he is a stumbling stone in the way. They approach God with their works hoping to find justification, but run into this precious stone and trip and fall. Isaiah said, "and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare" ( Isaiah 8:14 ). Meaning that they are so self absorbed in their own virtue that they never noticed God's salvation right in front of them providing the way. He is placed directly in our paths. To those who rely on themselves they find him in the way. To those who trust Him they find he is the way.

Knowing all of this, it makes sense that Paul declares that Israel as a whole did not obtain the righteousness they sought. The reason is that they relied upon their merit and not upon God's grace. Isaiah said, "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD : Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many" ( Isaiah 51:1-2 ). They were always suppose to look to God for their salvation. Through faith they were always suppose to be part of the promise spoken to Abraham. They were fashioned and created as God's people on the earth and he wanted them to be dependent upon him. However because of the law they started looking and trusting in themselves instead of God's grace and mercy and missed Jesus along the way.

This has huge implications for us today. We too are called to belong to the promised of grace. However, many rely on themselves and what they do to find salvation instead of trusting Jesus to save them. Many go to church and go through motions in order to prove their goodness before God and satisfy His requirements. Many look to themselves and their own self righteousness thinking that they are good enough. However we will never be good enough on our own. It is only by grace that we are saved and this is through faith in Jesus and this is a gift from God ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ).

Just as we cannot work our way to heaven on our own merit, we cannot work our way through the Christians life. We may start out by trusting in Jesus as their savior only to put that aside to live a life of works. However this will not cut it either. The Christian life is based upon a heart change through the grace offered in Jesus. Everything else branches out from that. Whatever we do must be rooted and cultivated in love as our motivation and not what we can do for God. When we trust in Jesus as our savior and live out of that gift of grace, we will never be disappointed because our lives are built upon that precious cornerstone and sure foundation.

Today, I am blessed to be "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord" ( Ephesians 2:20-21 ). Through faith in Jesus, you also are counted among this rich heritage. May you live your life by trusting, relying and depending upon Christ for everything. When you do you will find exceeding joy and expression in His grace for evermore, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:27-29  Next: Romans 10:1-2

Original article published January 19, 2010.

"Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality." It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah" (Romans 9:27-29)

God looked ahead and saw the corruption that would befall mankind. Each generation gets more wicked and more evil. Even among Israel, sin's stronghold grew and they turned away from God every chance they got. Isaiah spoke that unless God left them descendants they would have faired like Sodom and Gomorrah and be completely destroy by that corruption. Fortunately for us, we are the descendants that Isaiah spoke about. The true children of God are born again believers who have put their trust in Jesus as their savior. God was not satisfied in letting His descents struggle under the power of sin any longer. So he provided a way for his children to be living children, born again with His spirit sustaining life on the inside. This can only be accomplished through Christ Jesus.

This is an amazing truth, because Paul has been teaching that not all of Israel is truly of the promise spoken to Abraham, only those who are born out of faith belong to it ( Romans 9:8 ). This was the way God provided for us to escape from the corruption in the world. He has given everyone a choice, even the natural line of Abraham which is the nation of Israel. They too have to come into faith and trust in Jesus as their savior, not relying on the Law of Moses and their works to accomplish their justification. Paul is quoting from Isaiah when he said that only the remnant will be saved. "Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, The Lord, the LORD Almighty, will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land" ( Isaiah 10:22-23 ). Although they number as great as the sands of the sea only a small number will be saved from perdition. This is a sobering realization, especially since the Jews have a wonderful heritage. However, God calls us by name and has chosen us to be his children. It is a matter of the heart and not a matter of belonging to a natural line. He calls and invites and we have to respond in faith, nothing more and nothing less.

Right now this call is open but eventually God will conclude his accounts with men completely. At that time, the only thing that will matter is what we have done with Jesus. Do we accept him as our savior and our propitiation for sin? Or do we reject him and rely on our own works to obtain reconciliation with God. Paul is pleading grace with his own people even though most have rejected Jesus. Isaiah prophesied it and Paul is reminding this nation that Jesus is the only way. We too have to accept this message and understand this grace. Once we do this, we are counted among the true children of Israel, God's chosen people on earth through faith in Jesus' atoning blood. We are the descendants that Isaiah looked forward to so that God's people would survive and flourish on the earth.

Today, if you believe in Jesus you have been joined to the remnant of Jews that have been saved. God has called for himself a people that were previously not a people and has called us beloved where previously we were not loved ( Romans 9:24-26 ). All of this is by his grace. Today, it is my prayer that you understand this grace and let it be the foundation of every truth that God leads you into, amen.

Previous: Romans 9:24-26  Next: Romans 9:30-33

Original article published January 18, 2010.

"Even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea: "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," and, "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God'" (Romans 9:24-26)

What marvelous grace is this that we should be called sons and daughters of the living God? What a wonderful thing to be called not only from among the Jews but from the Gentiles as well. God's amazing redemption plan has provided a way for us to come to him and receive grace and mercy when we alone were hopeless. Paul started this chapter with a desire that his own people of Israel would recognize Jesus as their Messiah and come to him ( Romans 9:1-3 ). However as a whole they have rejected this and so Paul lays out evidence that only those who belong to Jesus belong to the promise spoken to Abraham ( Romans 9:8 ). Paul shows the severity of rejecting salvation through Jesus and demonstrates Gods patience towards them in turning away from such a gift ( Romans 9:22-23 ).

In today's passage he shows from Old Testament scripture that the Gentiles redemption through faith in Jesus has always been a part of the plan. God has called and chosen a people both from the Jews and from the Gentile nations. Hosea prophesied this very thing, "I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one. ' I will say to those called 'Not my people, ' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.' " ( Hosea 2:23 ). What an amazing truth this is. God calls the nobodies and makes them some bodies. Previously everyone outside of the Jewish nation was disregarded as completely separate and incapable of being part of the promise. But God looked upon us and called us His beloved and then went one step further and called us sons of the living God.

This is a hard thing for the Jews to understand and reconcile in their hearts. They do belong to a wonderful heritage of covenants, promises and patriarchs but this alone does not save ( Romans 9:4-5 ). John the Baptist told the teacher of the Law who questioned him, "And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" ( Matthew 3:9-10 ). It is not the natural children that are Abrahams seed and heirs of the promise, inclusion in the promise only comes by faith in Jesus ( Romans 9:8 ). And God has opened this offer to all of humanity and has raise a people set apart for himself.

There is a parallel for us today, many people think that just because they go to church and recite liturgies, the Apostles Creed and the Lord's prayer that this is all that God desires from them. Many rest securely in belonging to a church and attending regularly. However Jesus said in Revelation, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth" ( Revelation 3:15-16 ). What an awakening this will be. God does not desire your rituals and obligation, he desires your heart. He looks over the multitudes of people which cannot be counted and says to those who put their trust in him, you are my children ( Hosea 1:10 ). He has redeemed us from and empty way of life such as this, Peter said, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God ( I Peter 1:18-21 ). Our hope is in Jesus not in attending church and responsive readings, belonging to God only comes through faith in Jesus and in a changed heart.

Today, I am blessed to be counted among God's children and among his chosen people in the world. It is my prayer that you understand your position of grace in His kingdom and that everything you do flows out of a heart for the Lord. May you continue to grow in His grace, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:22-23  Next: Romans 9:27-29

Original article published January 17, 2010.

"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory" (Romans 9:22-23)

Mankind has free will and God will not override our choices in life. Throughout our entire life time we are presented with the opportunity to accept the gospel message, which has the power to save us, or we can reject it. The outcome of this choice is based solely upon us. God does not choose for us, nor does he predestine some to be saved and some to be damned. Predestination rests solely upon His foreknowledge of our acceptance of His grace ( Romans 8:29, I Peter 1:2 ). He knew who would accept his message and so he also chose them based upon that foreknowledge. In the same way, He knew who would reject him and so they were prepared for destruction based upon that foreknowledge of their free will and choice.

In today's passage Paul writes to us that God endured with exceeding patience the objects of his wrath. These are the individuals that have rejected his salvation message and the payment for their sin. These individuals are destined for destruction of their own volition because they have chosen this path for their life and have rejected Jesus. It is easy to struggle over a statement such as this and focus on the wrath of God towards them, but what about his enduring patience concerning them? They are clearly enemies of cross and yet God is patient with them. He tolerates and endures those who have rejected his salvation and forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews says, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God" ( Hebrews 10:26-27 ). Once we have heard the truth and know that the only way to be reconciled to God is through faith in Jesus' atoning work on the cross, we have to make a decision whether or not we accept this payment for our sins. If we do not, there is no other sacrifice or payment option left to us, only judgment. Hebrews goes on to say, "Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ( Hebrews 10:28-31 ).

It is severe to reject Jesus and his incredible gift of salvation. God's wrath was fully satisfied through his redemptive work on the cross. However, if we do not accept this payment for our sins, then eventually those accounts will be called overdue. Payment will have to be rendered and how do you thing that God will respond to someone who has blatantly rejected his very own Son. There will be no acceptable alternative payment and it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God when it is God's very own precious Son that has been trampled and rejected in the process.

The amazing thing about a passage such as this, is that it shows an incredible facet of God's nature when you fully understand it. God is not dealing unfairly with mankind, the opposite is actually true, He is showing incredible mercy and grace in tolerating their rejection of Jesus. He does this to demonstrate to believers His incredible wealth of mercy. It shows us the depth of his love and grace that has no bounds. It is important to get revelation of the this truth because this will change the way we look at life. If we can understand how patient and loving God is towards even those who reject him we will know how accepted and loved we are in Christ Jesus. God even uses his enemies to show his incredible love towards us. When we stand before Christ and see his majesty and splendor we will fully understand how offensive and awful it is to reject such a gift. We will understand the severity of it and the depths of the mercy displayed in patiently enduring His enemies.

Understanding this truth is pivotal in understanding the nature of God. He grace and mercy knows no end and his loving kindness extends to the ends of the earth. Today, it is my prayer that you recognize the awesomeness of Jesus and how he can saved you from destruction and hell. The good news for today is that he also saves us from so much more, he has come to give us eternal life which starts the moment you come to Him and accept his free gift of grace. May you understand how blessed you are in Christ Jesus, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:19-21  Next: Romans 9:24-26

Original article published January 16, 2010.

"One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:19-21)

Human nature wants to ask why of God? Why do you have the right to blame us? Why do you have the right to judge us? Why do you still find fault with us if you will is carried out whether or not we choose to participate in it? Why is our question? Paul knew we would immediately start asking these questions so addresses these objection before they could even be made. His answer cuts to the heart of mankind's self centered focus, "who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" How can you even consider yourselves above God to question him in this manner? How can you pretend to know something in relation to what God knows? Paul gives a startling reminder of our place in relation to who God is. When asking questions of the Lord, we have no right to criticize, contradict and put ourselves above God. Asking questions and seeking answers is perfectly acceptable and God will answer and reveal these things to us. However, quarreling and accusing God of not being just and treating us unfairly is not acceptable. We have to remember who we are in relation to who God is. We cannot impute God's character for the sake of our own.

Paul uses an illustration of a potter to prove his point. A potter molds the clay into various bowls, plates and vessels. The potter knows what he is making and what purpose it will serve. If the clay is good and pliable he is able to make beautiful pottery from it. Some clay isn't as good and so it is useful for other common things, but quality determines the outcome of many pieces. The potter chooses the right clay to bring about special pieces. He identifies the superiority of clay and that determines what the finished product will be. The same is true for us, our heart determines the outcome of what God shapes us to be. If our heart is right and pliable before him and willing to be shaped he will use it build us into the perfect piece of beauty, distinction and it will be used honorably. However, if our hearts resist him, his will, and further more want nothing to do with him, the outcome does not even compare to what it could be. He can still use it for his overall purpose but our free will determines the type of vessel we become. And many become vessels of common use, so God cannot be blamed for that, nor is He unjust in his dealing with them in this way.

As humans we have our logic backwards. We blame God for a lot of things that fall solely upon our shoulders. Isaiah said, "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me?" Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? ( Isaiah 29:16 ). Paul knew that this too would be our argument and so he reminds us that God is not unjust in His dealings with us and that he knows and understands more than we do. Isaiah went on to say, "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, "What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?" ( Isaiah 49:9 ). Potsherd was fragments of broken pottery, and Isaiah is reminding us that without God that is what we are. When we call God's character into question it is like broken pottery on the ground second guessing the Almighty God. Paul reminds us we have no right to do that.

With God, it is always a matter of the heart. When we seek and ask questions of the Lord based on a pure heart, we can be sure that he will answer us and bring understanding to us. It is important to remember that our value is based in Him. I am confident that even if you look around right not and see broken pottery, a life in ruin because of certain choices in life, God is able to make all grace abound in you. He is able to take those pieces and work them into a beautiful vessel of noble use. The key is to be soft and pliable before him. Remind yourself that he is a master potter and knows how to work beautiful pieces. Remind yourself that He knows how to bring healing and restoration to you and let him begin his work. Today, I am so thankful for His amazing work in my life. I am thankful that he knows incredibly more than I do. Today, may you get a glimpse of the majesty of God in a personal way and submit to it. Become clay in his hand and you will love the beautiful vessel you become, amen.

Previous: Romans 9:17-18  Next: Romans 9:22-23

Original article published January 15, 2010.

"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (Romans 9:17-18)

A passage of scripture such as this can be difficult to understand and reconcile in your heart unless you look at scripture as a whole. It is important to understand God's nature and man's free will in relation to a statement such as this. In the context of Romans 9, Paul is teaching that just because Israel was the natural descendants of the covenant made with Abraham, it did not automatically include them in the promise. The offspring of the promise came through faith in Jesus. Mankind is faced with a choice, to believe in this message and be saved or to reject it and be condemned. God has elected those who have chosen him based upon his foreknowledge of their choice ( Romans 9:11 ). But in the same way, his power and mercy will be displayed in those who reject him as well ( Romans 9:23 ). Because in His foreknowledge He knows the end from the beginning and works to bring His plan to fulfillment and to display his power.

Paul uses the example of Pharaoh in today's passage. God's mighty power was displayed over and over while he brought the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. Over the centuries, people still recount the events that took place in during this time. At the time of Pharaoh, everyone knew that the God of Moses was the only true God because of the incredible display of power. The scriptures say that God raised up Pharaoh for the very purpose of displaying His incredible power and making His name great ( Exodus 9:16 ). In today's passage Paul tells us that God hardens the hearts of those he wants to make his name great, which is exactly what happened to Pharaoh ( Romans 9:18 ). However, it is important to understand that in this whole process Pharaoh had amble opportunities to repent and let God's people go. He saw the countless displays of God's power and instead of softening his heart towards God, he hardened it. He had free will in the matter but he chose not to respond to God. After a certain point, he was past the point where he could even respond to God and therefore God harden his heart so maximum power could be displayed in what he did. It is important to understand it all started with Pharaohs choice to disregard God and not God's choice to harden Pharaoh's heart.

God is able to bring good out of evil. In our own time God used the atrocities of Hitler to bring the nation of Israel back into possession of their promised land. Hitler was faced with a choice the same as Pharaoh, but it is evident in his tyrannical reign that he chose to reject God and hardened his heart towards him. He walked further and further away from God's mercy and because of his choice to reject God and walk in such evil, God used his choices in life to display his power in the end and bring about good from it. God did not cause Hitler to massacre the Jews, nor was it His will to do so. But God's power was evident in the outcome of the horrible event by them coming into possession of their land. God could have brought the Israelites back to the land in thousands of ways but in is infinite power he was able to work through an agent of the devil to accomplish his will and ultimate plan, even though Hitler had free will in the matter.

Hitler has a choice same as Pharaoh. You have a choice as well. God has sent the Holy Spirit into the world to call and bring people unto himself. He starts from a very early age, speaking grace to us and softening our hearts towards God. Then when we hear the gospel message proclaimed we either respond to it and accept this good news or we reject it and walk away from it. Our choices in life dictate the outcome, God will not overrule your free will. We have many opportunities in this life to come to him, the Holy Spirit will convict and draw you to God. However, the more times you reject him, the harder your hearts become towards him. When this happens, there is a point where the Holy Spirit stops calling. This is called being reprobate. The only way you get in this position is by choice, by free will. This is why the writer of Hebrews said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..." ( Hebrews 3:15 ). Don't let your heart get hard towards God, soften it before him so that you can accept this gospel message.

In yesterday's verse, Paul said, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" ( Romans 9:16 ). God is merciful towards you. He loves you and His desire is that you will come to him. Today, if you have never made responded to His call, do not harden your heart but accept with gladness the gospel message which has the power to save you. Today, I rejoice in the fact that I am saved. God's power will be displayed in my life because I am His child and my will is His own. Today, may the Lord bring you revelation of this important truth, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:16  Next: Romans 9:19-21

Original article published January 14, 2010.

"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Romans 9:16)

Fortunately for us God's gift is not a question of human will or effort but depends solely upon His mercy towards us. There is nothing we can do to earn his grace when he has freely given it to us in Christ Jesus. We can choose to be in cooperation with him and abide in his plan or we can choose to walk away from him. But either way, this does not change the fact that He is merciful towards us.

In the context of today's passage, Paul is teaching us that God's will and plan will be accomplished in the end. He started out with a promise to Abraham and built his family based upon this covenant. He brought it to a people that were his own in the world but they didn't receive him. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" ( John 1:12-13 ). You and I are included in this promise if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior. This has always been a part of God's sovereign plan from the very beginning. It all depends on God.

Once we understand God's mercy towards us, it opens up an incredible channel for us to be reconciled to him. As humans we like to do things ourselves, pay our own way and work and provide for ourselves and our families. However, when we grasp how great our sin debt is and that we will never be able to pay for it by ourselves, this gets us to look outside of ourselves for the answer. We can try, struggle and work to accomplish this on our own or we can fall upon God's mercy and be justified before him. Paul said in Titus, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" ( Titus 3:5 ).

The Amplified Bible puts today's passage this way, "So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]" ( Romans 9:16 Amp ). As a whole God has extended his mercy towards mankind in sending Jesus. But each person has an obligation and a choice. We either accept this great mercy or we reject it. God patiently waits enduring all opposition to his mercy on account of mankind, knowing that others will come to him in the process. Through it all his plan unfolds and his will and purpose is accomplished.

Today, I know that I am a favored recipient of God's mercy. I have made the choice to accept his grace in all things. I am blessed to know it solely depends upon him and nothing I have done or can do to win his favor. Today, may you rest in his loving kindness and find the grace and mercy you need to navigate today and tomorrow, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:14-15  Next: Romans 9:17-18

Original article published January 13, 2010.

"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 9:14-15)

As humans we like to hold God to human standards. We think it only fair that he treat everyone the same. If God chooses to show extra mercy to an individual in certain situations is this unfair to the rest of mankind? Paul knew this question would quickly follow his previous statements about election in Romans 9, that is why he addressed this question himself, is there injustice on God's part by electing the people who have chosen him first?

In today's passage, Paul is heading off anyone from taking his statements and misinterpreting them. "What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!" ( Romans 9:14 ). Is God unfair in choosing, predestining and electing those who by their free will chose him first? Not at all. Paul is reassuring us that God is completely just in offering mercy and compassion on those he chooses. Just because he chose to grant us extra mercy doesn't make him unfair or unjust to others in the process. This is one of the things that he spoke to Moses in Exodus 33, "And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness" ( Exodus 33:19 Amp ). Not everyone was able to witness the Lord passing by in the cleft of the rock. But Moses witnessed it because God told him he was pleased with him and knew him by name and because Moses asked to see him face to face ( Exodus 33:17 ). God showed Moses extra mercy and favor in revealing himself, in the same way he also bestows this grace and mercy upon us.

God would be just in calling all of our accounts due. He is righteous and holy and mankind is the complete opposite. Because of this, he would be completely righteous in bringing judgment against us. However, because of what Jesus did for us, he extends mercy towards us. He is patient and loving and has chosen to extend grace to us instead of judgment. There is no injustice upon God's part on account of his mercy.

Today, I am so thankful that God is so gracious towards us. I am glad he has extended mercy instead of judgment. Today, my this revelation of God mercy bless you, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:10-13  Next: Romans 9:16

Original article published January 12, 2010.