God the ultimate authority!

(Romans 9:14) “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!”

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8) 

Therefore we must reason with “the mind of Christ” and not with human intellect, get this wrong and we will be left clutching at straws. We must believe what Paul teachers and resist all that opposes God’s Word.

We ended yesterday’s blog with an example on Judas. Let us now unpack some of the objections Paul received on the sovereignty and will of God. It is tiring to have to contend over this matter, but the word is very clear and Paul does not mince his words, so neither will I!

We all have choices that need to be made on a daily basis, we brush our teeth, comb our hair and eat breakfast, or we chose not too! The choice is the individuals, I speak to adults. Billions of decisions happening on earth throughout the day, this is where so many become unstuck. For a long time I battled to see and accept that I was not in control but God is in complete control and yet it was me making the choices and therefore guilty as charged.

Although men and woman throughout the ages have been called to follow Christ, we understand that the book of life was written before creation. Some would like to suggest that it was by chance and our actions play their part. With God there is no chance but only certainty. Everything in life is for this one purpose to glorify God for who He is. Sin depicts who He is not and yet without understanding sin how would we comprehend the enormity of who God actual is? Opposite extremes, one good and the other evil; God is good but Satan is evil! And yet both part of His eternal script magnifying His brilliance and glory.

Paul’s wisdom is delightful to unravel as he anticipates the objections of his readers before they have time to object…

“This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son." And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,” (Romans 9:8-10): - Now here comes the curve ball for some, automatically resisted by the natural mind; “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad— (why?) in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls-- she was told, "The older will serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” - With that said men throw up their arms, even amongst the Christian, but Paul anticipates every objection; “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:14-16)

It is the natural mind that now looks to go into overdrive with their objections, but who do we think we are?

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. (Romans 9:17-18)   

When we are settled on that understanding we move to this conclusion; “You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" (Romans 9:19): - surely I am no longer to blame if that be true. We are nevertheless responsible for all our actions, God has so willed it! “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (It is not as if God needs to explain himself to man but here then is one of the reasons) What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—“ (Romans 9:20-23)

My conclusion then; God in perfect control of both the save and unsaved alike. He has selected those whom will be vessels unto honour and well as vessels of dishonour. Nevertheless we are all responsible for our actions and will be judged accordingly. And if we do not like Paul’s teaching, tough! These are the facts; all we now need do is wrestle with all our might’s in and through the Lord Jesus Christ to end up as vessels of honour. Although it has already been written, we in that sense do not know whose names have been written where. We all have an obligation to call upon the name of the Lord and find salvation. I encourage you to call with vigour! The Lord Jesus Christ is the apple of God’s eye find Him and we find life.

Signing off

Tyrone