Short Fiction: “The Fine Art of Existence”

“Maximizing Mercy” (Romans 9:1-18)

¹I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, ²that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. ³For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh, ⁴who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises; ⁵whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Observation #1: God is historically for the Jews, became a Jew, & desires their salvation.

–Paul expressed concern for his fellow Jews by saying that he would willingly take their punishment if that could save them. While the only one who can save us is Christ, Paul showed a rare depth of love. Like Jesus, he was willing to sacrifice for others. How concerned are you for those who don’t know Christ? Are you willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy, comfort, and safety to see them come to faith in Jesus?^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:1-3}

–The Jews viewed God’s choosing of Israel in the Old Testament as being like adoption. They were undeserving and without rights as natural children. Yet God adopted them and granted them the status of his sons and daughters.^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:4}

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. — John 1:1, 14

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.” … Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” — John 8:24, 58

who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.— 1 Timothy 2:4

and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: … and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ. … I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I fathered in my imprisonment, who previously was useless to you, but now useful both to you and to me. — Philemon 2, 6, 10-11

looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, — Titus 2:13

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, — 2 Peter 1:2

⁶But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; ⁷nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “Through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” ⁸That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. ⁹For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a Son.” ¹⁰And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had consceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; ¹¹for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, ¹²it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³Just as it is written: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

Observation #2: God’s children are born into His family through faith according to His sovereign plan.

–God’s word in the form of beautiful covenant promises came to Abraham. Covenant people, the true children of Abraham, are not just his biological descendants. They are all those who trust in God and in what Jesus Christ has done for them (cf. Romans 2:29; Galatians 3:7)^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:6}

–The Jews were proud of the fact that their lineage came from Isaac, whose mother was Sarah (Abraham’s legitimate wife), rather than Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar (Sarah’s servant). Paul asserts that no one can claim to be chosen by God because of his or her heritage or good deeds. God freely chooses to save whomever he wills. The doctrine of election teaches that it is God’s sovereign choice to save us by his goodness and mercy, and not by our own merit.^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:11}

–Was it right for God to choose Jacob, the younger, to be over Esau? In Malachi 1:2-3, the statement “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” refers to the nations of Israel and Edom rather than to the individual brothers. God chose Jacob to continue the family line of the faithful because he knew his heart was for God. But he did not exclude Esau from knowing and loving him. Keep in mind the kind of God we worship: He is sovereign, he is not arbitrary; in all things he works for our good; he is trustworthy; he will save all who believe in him. When we understand these qualities of God, we know that his choices are good even if we don’t understand all his reasons.^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:12-14}

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, — John 1:12

They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. … You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. — John 8:39, 44

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love — Ephesians 1:4

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:8-9

¹⁴What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it! ¹⁵For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” ¹⁶So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy. ¹⁷For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the earth.” ¹⁸So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

Observation #3: God uses those most opposed to Him to ensure His compassionate mercy reaches as many as possible.

–The fallacy of gaining salvation by human effort remains as strong as ever–people still think good intentions are the key to unlock the door to eternal life. By the time they get to try the lock, they will find that their key does not fit. Others imagine that their efforts are building an invisible ladder to heaven made up of service, family, position, reputation, good work, and desire, although none of these rungs will support a feather. People are so busy trying to reach God that they completely miss the truth that God has already reached down to them. We cannot earn God’s mercy–if we could, it would not be mercy.^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:16}

–Paul quotes from Exodus 9:16, where God foretold how Pharaoh would be used to declare God’s power. Paul uses this argument to show that salvation was God’s work, not ours. God’s judgment on Pharaoh’s choice to resist God was to confirm that sin had hardened his heart. The consequences of Pharaoh’s rebellion would be his own punishment.^{Life Application Study Bible notes, Romans 9:17-18}

They said to him, “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God; for we have heard the report about Him and all that He did in Egypt, — Joshua 9:9

For the wrath of mankind shall praise You; You will encircle Yourself with a remnant of wrath. — Psalm 76:10

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:18, 24

Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. — 1 Corinthians 6:14

But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; — 2 Corinthians 4:7

who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. — 1 Timothy 2:4

Application: Rest in the confidence that all who can be freely saved, will be in God’s sovereign merciful plan.