Romans 5:1-12 : Through faith in Christ we were justified, we have peace, and we shall be glorified

Think about this: Are you a happy Christian?

Now think about this, out of the blue, you receive a gift. It may not be from someone you know, but it is a gift. Will you be happy to receive this gift?

Now link the two questions together. Are you happy to receive the gift of salvation and eternal life from God (as a Christian)? We did not earn this gift nor is it something that we deserve. We did not earn it.

Romans 5: 1-12 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

All the bad things have gone away

Romans 3:23 says: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Yes, we have all sinned and it is by sinning that we are kept away from God. There is nothing we can do the can wipe away our sins. However, Romans 5:1 tells us that even though we have sinned, all this sin has been wiped clear of us through Jesus Christ. We were justified through Him. Jesus has dealt with our sin and declares us righteous.

All the good things are here to stay

Yes, indeed. We see in the passage above that there are blessings that we get as believers in this life:
- Peace with God [v1]
- Access to the realm of grace [v2]
- Sufferings [v3]
- Hope [v4]
- Assurance of God's love [v5-8]
- The blood of Christ [v9]
- Reconciliation [v10-12]

Wait, suffering is a blessing? Oh but it is! In James 1:2-4 (NIV 84), it says 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. For you know that the testing of faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its fruit so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.' Yes, suffering produces endurance!

The best is yet to come

We are promised in verse 1 that we can look forward to the hope of the glory of God. We can look forward to growing in character (v3-4) and also the salvation from the wrath of God (v9).



In conclusion, only through faith in Jesus can we be justifies, be at peace with God, and receive glory for eternity. The alternative is death and condemnation.

Romans 4: Salvation is not by good works

Summary:
No one can earn salvation by doing good works. God justifies me by his grace through faith in Christ alone.



1. Abraham was justified by faith, not by works.

In this passage, God uses justification of Abraham as an example.

Romans 4:1-12 (ESV)
1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

From v2, if Abraham was justified by his works, he would have something to boast about. However, in v3-5, it says that Abraham was not justified by works, but by his faith in God. In a similar way, we can never get right with God by our own works, thus we have no reason to boast. Instead, we are made right by faith in God. We are not made right because of the good we have done.

From v6-8, David tells us that we are made right with God with him forgiving our lawless deeds. Although we sin, he does not count our sin against us.

From v9-12, we see that Abraham was justified before his circumcision. His faith was counted righteous before he was circumcised. This means that you do not need to be a Jew to be counted as a people of God. Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness he had while uncircumcised. Thus he became the father of all who have the same kind of faith, both circumcised and uncircumcised (Abraham is the spiritual father of the Gentiles too, for he was justified while still uncircumcised).



2. Abraham's promised blessing has to come through faith

Romans 4:13-15 (ESV)
13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

in v13-15, God promised to Abraham that his offspring will inherit the world (be heirs of the world). In other words, God is saying that Abraham's offspring will do what Mankind was originally created to do - to rule the world under God's rule.

Romans 4:16-25 (ESV)
16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

in v16, we learn that the fulfillment of the promise rests on God's grace, which is guaranteed to all who share Abraham's faith. The remaining verses strives to give us assurance that God will always keep his promise as he is able to give life to the dead (v17-20) and raise Jesus from the dead (v24-25).

Romans 3: From Guilt to Grace - Just as if I never sinned

If you think it's alright to sin because Christ has died for you, then you should read this post. Although Christ has died for all our sins, it does not mean that we should carry on sinning.



1. God reveals his righteous in punishing the unrighteous (even the religious)

Romans 3:1-8 (ESV)
1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

Romans 3:1-2 tells us that by being a Jew (or in a wider context, being born into a Christian family), we are entrusted with the Word of God for a start. However, we see in verse 3 that some of the Jews (and those born into Christian families) do not believe. Though so, in verse 4 we are told that their lack of belief will not change God's faithfulness. This basically means that God's promise to us is certain, and will not change no matter what each and every one of us do.

Why do we sin? It is because of our sins and evil deeds that prove that God is good (v5). For those who are unrighteous, God's wrath is upon them. God is perfect and is never unfair.



2. All of us are unrighteous

Romans 3:9-20 (ESV)
9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one; 

11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Verse 10 tells us that no one is righteous, even the Jews (v9).

The bible describes man as sinful - there is nothing good in man. In fact, it lists out our wrong-doings in verses 11-18 (adapted from this source):

v11 Nobody understands. Nobody looks for God.
v12 They are like travellers who have wandered onto the wrong path.
       Together, they have become evil.
       Nobody, not even one person, does anything good.
v13 Their *throats are like open graves.
       With their tongues, they tell lies.
       The words from their lips are like the poison from a snake.
v14 They use their mouths to speak angry and bad words.
v15 They are quick to attack and they even kill other people.
v16 Wherever they go, they cause loss and pain.
v17 They do not know how to be kind.
v18 They do not respect God.’



3. God reveals his righteous by justifying us by grace through faith in Christ

Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

God's wrath is revealed on all and God's righteousness is revealed for all (v21).

We receive justification through faith (v22) and this justification is a gift from God (v24), and it reveals the righteousness of God (v26). Justification is a gift from God because no one deserves it. But Jesus died in order to suffer for this punishment of our sins.



4. The result of God's Grace

Romans 3:27-31 (ESV)
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

No one can boast because no one is righteous (v27). No one can be justified by our works and actions alone (v27). We are justified by faith (v28).

However we are cautioned that the law still has value (v31).



In closing, I would like to end off with a quote from Timothy Keller:

“The gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight, they are accepted and righteous. So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin.”

Have a blessed week ahead!

Romans 1:18 - Romans 2:29 : Man is Very Bad and God is Very Mad

This will be a really quick run through on Romans 1:18 - Romans 2:29 with all the main points and a bit of elaboration.

1. The fundamental sin of Mankind

Romans 1:18-23 (ESV)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 

The fundamental sin of Mankind mentioned in Romans 1:18-23 is the unrighteous suppression of the truth (v18). Mankind also did not honour God as God nor give thanks to him (v21), but rather they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images (v23).

2. The consequence of sin

Romans 1:24-32 (ESV)
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Because of the fundamental sin of Mankind, God gave them over (v24, v26, v28) to do the things that they want to do. God withdraws his restraining grace and allows us to do what we want to do - which is to sin.

The consequence of sin is more sin.

3. If you think you are alright because you go to church, think again

Romans 2:1-24 (ESV)
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

The Jews assumed that they were saved because they were religious - they observed the Sabbath day and knew their Scriptures and taught the law of God to others. However their hearts and lifestyle were no different from the pagans.

4. You are only alright if you posses the obedience of faith

Romans 2:25-29 (ESV)
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Romans 1:1-17 - Does the Gospel Matter?

I decided to start a 'study on Romans' on my blog, since I have already posted twice on four chapters on romans. To view all other post in the 'Study on Romans' series, click here.

So I've decided to start with Romans 1:1-17. Romans 1:1-17 is typically divided into three parts in the Bible, and this 'division' helps us to understand that passage better.



1. The content of the Gospel

Romans 1:1-7
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans was written by Apostle Paul (v1) and was addressed to the Christians of the church in Rome (v7, and of course it is still applicable to us today).

We see in this part of the passage that the gospel is:
- good news (v1)
- from God (v2)
- promised in Scripture (v2)
- about Jesus Christ (v3)
- for all nations (v5)
- to bring about the obedience of faith (v5)
- for the sake of God's name (v5)



2. The Centrality of the Gospel

Romans 1:8-15
Longing to Go to Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

In the second part of the passage, Paul is thankful for the faith of the Roman saints which is being proclaimed in the entire world (v8).

Paul also writes that he desires to go to Rome (v10) for three reasons:
1. To impart to the people some spiritual gifts  to strengthen them(v11)
2. To encourage them (v12)
3. To teach the people of the church in Rome about the gospel (v13-15)



3. The Power of the Gospel

Romans1:16-17
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

In the third part of this passage, Paul says that he us not ashamed of the gospel. It is because he knows exactly what the gospel is - the power of God for salvation to all who believes; where God's righteousness is reveals from faith for faith.

It is through faith that a person has life that makes him righteous (in right standing with God).

Romans 9 : How can I know if God has chosen me?

I think that this is a hard topic to tackle - How can I know if God has chosen me?

We'll start by looking at the Jews in Romans 9:1-5.



1. How NOT to be save - rely on everything else but Christ

Romans 9:1-5 (ESV)
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

The Israelites at that time Paul wrote Romans were different than the Israelites of old. The Israelites of present time (that Paul wrote Romans) were relying on their lineage, the glory, the covenant, the law, the worship, the promises and the patriarchs for salvation (Romans 9:4-5). In fact, the Israelites have a zeal for God! However,they were relying on everything that they can except by faith. For this reason, Paul writes in verses 1-3 that he is in anguish because of it. Matthew 3:7-10 emphasizes the point that the Israelites should not rely on the fact that they have Abraham as their father to claim salvation:

Matthew 3:7-10 (ESV)
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

In a way, "religious Christians" today are like the Israelites that Paul was writing to. By "religious Christians", I mean those that see Christian as a religion and not a relationship, and do not claim a personal relationship with God. They go to church every week, serve in ministries, read the Bible daily etc., but do not rely on their faith in God for salvation.



2. God is both Merciful and Just

Jacob and Esau

Background:

Genesis 25: 25-26 (ESV)
25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau.
26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Jacob and Esau were twins (of Isaac and Rebekah). Rebekah was barren and Isaac prayed to the Lord, whom gave them two sons (Jacob and Esau) later. Esau was the older twin while Jacob was the younger one. In Genesis 25:26, we see that Jacob's hand was holding Esau's heel, and the Harper Collins Study Bible infers that it is as if Jacob is seemingly trying to pull Esau back into the womb so that he could be the firstborn. Although being the firstborn is not as 'important' in present time, in that time being the firstborn means rights to the father's inheritance. Also, the footnote in the NIV bible writes that the grasping of the heel is also a reference to deceptive behavior. Jacob was a deceiver throughout his life (since his birth). The most notable instance was when he disguised himself as Esau to received his father's blessings Genesis 25:18-29.

In Genesis 25: 23, we see that even before the twins were born, God has said that "the older shall serve the younger".

Genesis 25:23 (ESV)
And the Lord said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
      and two peoples from within you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
      the older shall serve the younger.”

We also see the same phrase being used in Romans 9:12:

Romans 9:6-13 (ESV)
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 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. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

We further see that in Romans 9:13 that God loved Jacob but not Esau, and we know from verse 11 that all these was even before they were born. God chooses his people by election (verse 11).

It's a concept hard to grasp. They won't even born when God chose Jacob over Esau. Is God unfair? By no means (verse 14)! Well, we know that God is omniscient. He knows ultimately which path we choose to take. Although Jacob was a deceiver, we see that Esau later turned astray. Esau married two Hittite women (Genesis 26:34-35), in violation of Abraham's (and God's) injunction not to take wives from among the Canaanite population (Genesis 24:3).

Romans 9:14-18 (ESV)
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 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.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

Romans 9:14 says that there is no injustice on God' part. God chooses who he has mercy on and who he does not have mercy on. Paul continues to use an analogy of the potter and the clay:

Potter and clay

Romans 9:19-26 (ESV)
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 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?” 21 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? 22 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, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,
    “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
       and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
        there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.  

The potter has a right over which lumps of clay he uses to make what he wants to make. He might choose some to to make things for honorable uses, but others for dishonorable uses. The clay has no authority over which things it is being made into. The potter represents God and the clay represents us. We have no authority over God, and God chooses who he shows mercy and compassion to. Why doesn't God just save everyone? Paul continues elaborating about these vessels.

God will show his wrath and power by the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (dishonorable use), which are those un-chosen ones. In doing so, God reveals that he is just and glory.

God will show his glory with the vessels of mercy prepared for glory (honorable use), which are those chosen ones. In doing so, God reveals that he is merciful and holy.

Justice and fairness means that everyone would go to hell. Mercy is what God gives and we should be thankful for it. Verse 20 says that we are not in a position to question or complain. God has the right and he is right.

The situation is not that we are all trying to be saved but God selects those he wants to save. The real situation here is reflected in Romans 3:

Romans 3:9-20 (ESV)
9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The real situation is that we all turned away from God and God is pulling us back into his kingdom.

[Edited]

I realised the explanation accompanying Romans 3:9-20 isn't very clear. Now I will use an analogy to explain it. Think of it as a people trying to get onto a plane. The situation here is not that everyone trying to go into that plane such that the pilot chooses who to get on, rather it is everyone is running away from the plane and the pilot (God) is grabbing us back and saying "I'll save you, trust me" and ultimately its our decision to stay on that plane or leave it.

[End of Edit]

So then, how can I be saved?

3. Those who call upon God's name will be saved

Romans 10:9-11 (ESV)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

The only way to be save by faith. Works will not be able to save you, for God does not look at the works that we have done.

Remember that God doesn't love people because of their works. In fact if you look at the people that God loved, you will realize that many of them ain't good. The most famous example would be David. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah the Hittite, her husband. However, God promised David that the throne of David's kingdom will be established forever (2 Samuel 7:13)



Takeaway: If you trust in Christ alone for salvation, you can be assured that he has chosen you!

Do not reply on anything else but your faith! I know it is hard to rely on faith alone. Ultimately, there are only two classes of people - the chosen and those that are not chosen. Chose God, and you will be chosen.



Credits: Luwin (Youth Teaching Leader from Mount Hermon B-P Church) and So What? Bible Study Leader's Guide -  A Study of Romans

An encouragement to Christians in suffering

This blog post today I was inspired by the bible class I had yesterday in church. So as an encouragement to brothers and sisters in Christ out there who are suffering in a way or another. Let's start by looking at the bible passage that this post will be based on today:

Romans 8:28-39 (ESV version)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God's Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, 

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God's Promises

Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for good, for those who are called according for his purpose. God promises us that all things that happen to us would be for a good, but he did not promise that our lives would be smooth and plain sailing. In fact, some of these "things" are mentioned in Romans 8:35 - tribulation (trouble in NIV version), distress (hardship in NIV version), persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. We see that the "things" that are mentioned are not good. But God allows things to happen for a purpose/purposes that are unknown to us most of the time.

If you ask anyone what is the best for him/her, it may be different from what is best for you, and what is best for another person, and it may also differ from time to time. What is best for me now may be to have excellent grades, but in the future it may be to have a stable job which I love. Opinions as to what is the best differs. However, God knows what is best for us, and ultimately will allow things to happen for a reason. It may be not allowing us to get into certain schools because it might not be the best for us, it may be not allowing a relationship to happen because the other party is not the best for us, and it may be not allowing us to get our 'dream' job because it doesn't suit us. Ultimately, whatever that happens, trust God that he has a purpose for you.

Romans 8:18 (ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

No separation

There will be no charge against God's people - God justifies (verse 33)
There will be no condemnation - Christ intercedes (verse 34)
There will be no separation from the love of God - Christ loves (verse 35)

Nothing can separate us from the love of God (verses 35-39). Even though in difficult times we feel that God is suddenly very far away from us, but in fact, he still loves us just the same, only that he allowed these difficult times to be present in our lives.

In Summary

What we think is good for us may not be so in God's eyes. He allows everything to happen in our lives for a purpose. Ultimately, God still loves us and nothing can separate us from His love.

God bless you all, and have a great week ahead!

James 5:13 (ESV) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.