Sep
23
Written by:
Bob Flynn
9/23/2009 7:17 AM
A seminary professor once said to me, “Try to explain election, and you may lose your mind; but explain it away and you will lose your soul!” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary.)
There is nothing believers could have done to attain their salvation. It would be a cruel trick if God made believers jump through hoops of righteousness in order to gain redemption. (Hughes, R. B., & Laney, J. C. (2001). Tyndale concise Bible commentary.)
In election, God exercises His sovereign will to accomplish His perfect plan. Keep in mind that the election discussed in Romans 9–11 is national and not individual. To apply all the truths of these chapters to the salvation or security of the individual believer is to miss their message completely. In fact, Paul carefully points out that he is discussing the Jews and Gentiles as peoples, not individual sinners. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (391). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. (Romans 9:16 NASB)
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Romans 9:16 KJV)
So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. (Romans 9:16 NET.)
So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. (Romans 9:16 NLT)
Some actually find the forceful presentation of God's sovereignty here displayed repulsive. We might note that the idea of human will is not being addressed as such for the Old Testament reminds us that God hardened Pharaoh's heart while Pharaoh also hardened his own heart. Pharaoh was not forced but rather chose freely. Remember also that the whole of the human race by our willingness to chose sin and willfully disobey God remain lost and alienated. Amongst the eons of eternity past God chose that some would be saved despite the irrefutable fact that we all deserve His righteous condemnation. Though He would that none should perish, He was then and now in no way under any obligation to ensure that all are delivered into His Salvation even though the blood of Christ is sufficient for all. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ because there was condemnation bourn on the back of the Son of God. We therefore, are presented a choice whether to be and object of wrath or an object of His most precious and amazing mercy. Remember also that:
God is impartial:
For God does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:11 NLT)
Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him. (Romans 10:12 NLT)
He is mighty to save all who would ask:
For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." (Romans 10:13 NLT)
Copyright ©2009 Robert Flynn