In Chapter 10 of Romans, Paul continues to press on about salvation and true saving faith and that simply having zeal or sincerity alone for religion or even for God doesn't equate to salvation. The Jews had the things of God all around them but sought their own righteousness by trying to keep the law, adding to it, or lowering that standard, rather than being humbled by it and looking to Christ, who kept it perfectly. As Christians, when we live for God, we don't do it to gain favor or earn salvation but because of the gift we've already been given in Christ.

 

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-9, Romans 10:1-6

In conclusion to the 5 part mini-series on God’s sovereign election in the salvation of his people, we are reminded that all people are sinners who, apart from God’s grace, cannot seek after God due to their nature. This is why we see those we would never expect come to Christ and those we would otherwise expect, ultimately miss and reject God.

 

Scripture: Isaiah 44:9-20, Romans 9:13-33

As he continues through the subject of God's sovereignty, Paul anticipates the question of one's free will and doubles down on the authority of God in all areas, including this.  While we can have very sincere questions if we're hoping to gain greater understanding, we must remember that all of our actions are tainted by sin due to our fallen nature, and absent God's grace, we are all vessels of destruction, which are used to show his power and to make known the riches of his glory

 

Scripture: Job 40:1-15, Romnans 9:19-24

As believers, we need to be willing to be an instrument in our Lord's hands, have a genuine heart for the lost, and be willing to do whatever it takes to preach the gospel.  In Acts 8, we see God using Philip in the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch, who was highly regarded and seemingly had much of what the world has to offer, yet something was still missing.  After God opened his heart, he partook in baptism, which is the outward witness to others of the inward change that God has made.  

 

Scripture: Isaiah 53, Acts 26-39

There are two major categories of objections to the reality of God's sovereign election in salvation, fairness and personal freedom, that Paul anticipates and addresses as we wrestle with this challenging doctrine.  Just as a governor, who has the authority and prerogative, can pardon the convicted, so too does God in choosing to show mercy on some and not others.  This is not based on anything that we do but is the free gift of mercy shown to convicted and underserved sinners.  

 

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-6, 12-19, Romans 9:1-16