is god a moral monster

18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 19One of you willsay to me: “Then why does god still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purpouses and some for common use? 22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath–prepared for destruction? 23What 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–24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25As 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,” 26and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.'” 27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” 29It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty has left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.” 30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33As it is written, “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
–About seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Hosea told of God’s intention to restore his people. Paul applies Hosea’s message to God’s intention to bring Gentiles into his family after the Jews rejected his plan. Verse 25 is a quotation from Hosea 2:23 and verse 26 is from Hosea 1:10.Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 9:25-26
–Isaiah prophesied that only a small number–a remnant–of God’s original people, the Jews, would be saved. Paul saw this happening in every city where he preached. Even though he went to the Jews first, relatively few ever accepted the message. Verses 27 and 28 are based on Isaiah 10:22-23; and 9:29 is from Isaiah 1:9.Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 9:27-29
–Sometimes we are like these people, trying to get right with God by keeping his laws. We may think that attending church, doing church work, giving offerings, and being nice will be enough. After all, we’ve played by the rules, haven’t we? But Paul’s words sting–this approach never succeeds. Paul explains that God’s plan is not for those who try to earn his favor by being good; it is for those who realize that they can never be good enough and so must depend on Christ. We can be saved only by putting our faith in what Jesus Christ has done. If we do that, we will never be ashamed or disappointed.Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 9:31-33
–The Jews had a worthy goal–to honor God. But they tried to achieve it the wrong way–by rigid and painstaking obedience to the law. Thus, some of them became more dedicated to the law than to God. They thought that if they kept the law, God would have to accept them as his people. But God cannot be controlled. The Jews did not see that their Scriptures, the Old Testament, taught that salvation depended on faith, not on human effort (cf. Genesis 15:6).Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 9:32
–The “stumbling stone” was Jesus. The Jews did not believe in him, because he didn’t meet their expectations for the Messiah. Some people still stumble over Christ because salvation by faith doesn’t make sense to them. They would rather try to earn their way to God, or else they expect God simply to overlook their sins. Others stumble over Christ because his values are the opposite of the world’s. He asks for humility, and many are unwilling to humble themselves before him. He requires obedience, and many refuse to put their wills at his disposal. Have you stumbled over this rock, or have you chosen to build your life on it?Ibid

The Bumper Of Mercy

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:3-5)
–Though some people think there are many ways to God, in practice, each person must choose a single way. We can stand on one side o a gorge and discuss the possibility of many bridges across the abyss, but if we are determined to ross, we will have to commit to one bridge. Those who insist that there are many bridges to God usually fit one of the following categories: 1) They have not personally committed to any “bridge.” They are surprised that their belief in multiple ways does not exempt them from having to chosoe one. 2) Their belief in “many ways to God” hides their true belief that finding God doesn’t really matter at all. 3) They are convinced that arguing for “many ways to God” will insure that they won’t be wrong. If there is only one way, they generalized belief will presumably have included it. 4) They have decided that believing in “many ways to God” requires less work than going to the trouble of actually considering the claims of various religious systems. The facts remain: We human being are separated from God by sin and we need a Savior–a way across the abyss of sin and back to God. Only one person in the universe is our Mediator and can stand between us and God and bring us together again–Jesus, who is both God and man. Jesus’ sacrifice brought new life to all people. Have you let him bridge the gap between you and God?Life Application Bible study notes, 1 Timothy 2:5-6

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. (Acts 17:26-27)
–God is in his creation and close to every one of us. But he is not trapped in his creation–he is transcendent. God is the Creator, not the creation. This means that God is sovereign and in control, while at the same time he is close and personal. Let the Creator of the universe rule your life.Life Application Bible study notes, Acts 17:27-28

Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)
–God is perfect love, but he also dispenses perfect justice. His perfect love causes him to be merciful to those who recognize their sin and turn back to him, but he cannot overlook those who willfully sin. Wicked people die both physically and spiritually. God takes no joy in their deaths; he would prefer that they turn to him and have eternal life. Likewise, we should not rejoice in the misfortunes of nonbelievers. Instead, we should do all in our power to bring them to faith.Life Application Bible study notes, Ezekiel 18:23

The Bumper Of Truth

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? (Romans 3:5-6)
–Some may think they don’t have to worry about sin because 1) it’s God’s job to forgive; 2) God is so loving that he won’t judge us; 3) sin isn’t so bad–it teaches us valuable lessons; or 4) we need to stay in touch with the culture around us. It is far too easy to take God’s grace for granted. But God cannot overlook sin. No matter how many excuses we make, we will have to answer to God for our sin.Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 3:5-8

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people. who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgmenet on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 4-7)
–Many first-century false teachers were teaching that Christians could do whatever they liked without fear of God’s punishment. They had a light view of God’s holiness and his justice. Paul refuted this same kind of false teaching in Romans 6:1-23. Even today, some Christians minimize the sinfulness of sin, believing that how they live has little to do with their faith. But what a person truly believes will show up in how he or she acts. Those who truly have faith will show it by their deep respect for God and their sincere desire to live according to the principles in his Word.Life Application Bible study notes, Jude 4
–Many people don’t want to believe that God sentences people to “eternal fire” for rejecting him. But this is clearly taught in Scripture. Sinners who don’t seek forgiveness from God will face eternal separation from him. Jude warns all who rebel against, ignore, or reject God.Life Application Bible study notes, Jude 7

Then death and Hades were throne into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)
–Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. God’s judgment is finished. The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked–Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the book of life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. John’s vision dos not permit any gray areas in God’s judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.Life Application Bible study notes, Revelation 20:14

Does God Really Know Everything?

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46:9-10)
–Israel was tempted to waver between the Lord God and pagan gods. Isaiah affirms the sole lordship of God. God is unique in his knowledge and in his control of the future. His consistent purpose is to carry out what he has planned. When we are tempted to pursue anything that promises pleasure, comfort, peace, or security apart from God, we must remember our commitment to God.Life Application Bible study notes, Isaiah 46:8-11

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand–when I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:16-18)

This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands–a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.” (Daniel 2:45)

Does God Know Contingent Events With Certainty?

Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.” So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there. David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. (1 Samuel 23:12-14)

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. (Matthew 11:23)
–Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom were ancient cities with a long-standing reputation for wickedness (cf. Genesis 18-19; Ezekiel 27-28). Each was destroyed by God for its evil. The people of Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum saw Jesus firsthand, and yet they stubbornly refused to repent of their sins and believe in him. Jesus said that if some of the wickedest cities in the world had seen him, they would have repented. Because Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum saw Jesus and didn’t believe, they would suffer even greater punishment than would the wicked cities that didn’t see Jesus. Similarly, nations and cities with churches on every corner and Bibles in every home will have no excuse on judgment day if they do not repent and believe.Life Application Bible study notes, Matthew 11:21-24

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (Luke 10:13)
–Chorazin was a city near the Sea of Galilee, probably about two miles north of Capernaum. Tyre and Sidon were cities destroyed by God as punishment for their wickedness (cf. Ezekiel 26-28)Life Application Bible study notes, Luke 10:13

Is God Really Fair?

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:21)
–With this illustration, Paul is not saying that some of us are worth more than others, but simply that the Creator has control over the created object. The created object, therefore, has no right to demand anything from its Creator–its very existence depends on him. Keeping this perspective removes any temptatoin to have pride in personal achievement.Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 9:21

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– (Ephesians 1:4-5)
–Paul says that God “chose us” to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it but because God is gracious and freely gives salvation. We did not influence God’s decision to save us; he saved us according to his plan. Thus, there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of God long before we existed. It is hard to understand how God could accept us. But because of Christ, we are holy and blameless in his sight. God chose us, and when we belong to him through Jesus Christ, God looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do is express our thanks for his wonderful love.Life Application Bible study notes, Ephesians 1:4
–“Predestined” means marked out beforehand. This is another way of saying that salvation is God’s work and not our own doing. In his infinite love, God has adopted us as his own children. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, he has brought us into his family and made us heirs along with Jesus (cf. Romans 8:17). In Roman law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as biological children, even if they had been slaves. Paul uses this term to show how strong our relationship to God is. Have you entered into this loving relationship with God?Life Application Bible study notes, Ephesians 1:5

Conclusion: God is not a moral monster, but a Sovereign Savior.

who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knoweldge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)
–Both Peter and Paul said that God wants everone to be saved (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). This does not mean that all will be saved, because the Bible makes it clear that many reject Christ (cf. Matthew 25:31-46; John 12:44-50; Hebrews 10:26-29). The gospel message has a universal scope; it is not directed only to people of one race, one sex, or one national background. God loves the whole world and sent his Son to save sinners. No one is outside God’s mercy or beyond the reach of his offer of salvation.Life Application Bible study notes, 1 Timothy 2:4
.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In his love (Ephesians 1:4)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the widsom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18-24)
–Paul summarizes Isaiah 29:14 to emphasize a point Jesus often made: God’s way of thinking is not like th eworld’s way (normal human wisdom). And God offers enternal life, which the world can never give. We can spend a lifetime accumulating human wisdom and yet never learn how to have a personal relationship with God. We must come to the crucified and risen Christ to receive eternal life and the joy of a personal relationship with our Savior.Life Application Bible study notes, 1 Corinthians 1:19
–Many Jews considered the good news of Jesus Christ to be foolish, because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king accompanied by signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David’s throne as they expected. Besides, he was executed as a criminal, and how could a criminal be a savior? Greeks, too, considered the gospel foolish: They did not believe in a bodily resurrection, they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods, and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory. The good news of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. Our society worships power, influence, and wealth. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant, and he offers his kingdom to those who have faith, not to those ho do all kinds of good deeds to try to earn salation. This looks foolish to the world, but Christ is the power of God, the only way we can be saved. Knowing Christ personally is the greatest wisdom anyone can have.Life Application Bible study notes, 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– (John 1:12)
–All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out–rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. Being born makes you physically alive and places you in your parents’ family. Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God’s family. Have you asked Christ to make you a new person? This fresh start in life is available to all who believe in Christ.Life Application Bible study notes, John 1:12-13

He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” (John 6:65)
–The Holy Spirit gives spiritual life; without the work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot even see our need for new life. All spiritual renewal begins and ends with God. He reveals truth to us, lives within us, and then enables us to respond to that truth.Life Application Bible study notes, John 6:63,65

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
–You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to adjust the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is eternal death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Christ’s currency is eternal life–new life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God. What choice have you made?Life Appliction Bible study notes, Romans 6:23
–Eternal life is a gift from God. If it is a gift, then it is not something that we earn, nor something that must be paid back. Consider the foolishness of someone who receives a gift given out of love and then offers to pay for it. A gift cannot be purchased by the recipient. A more appropriate response to a love one who offers a gift is graceful acceptance with gratitude. Our salvation is a gift of God, not something of our own doing (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). He saved us because of his mercy, not because of any good things that we have done (cf. Titus 3:5). How much more should we accept with thanksgiving the gift that God has freely given to us.Ibid

Application: Humbly celebrate God’s wisdom in executing salvation and wrath as best reveals His power, glory and mercy.