Why God Doesn’t Owe You an Explanation
You don’t want to hear this. Most people in this society don’t want to hear this. But the Bible says it: not all who call themselves God’s children are His children. Ouch. I know that’s a hard pill to swallow. You might think I’m being cruel. If that sounds harsh, it’s only because the truth cuts deeper than we want it to. In Romans 9: 1–24, Paul wrestles with the fate of his people Israel with a pain that drips off his pen. He is no cynic, no self-righteous Pharisee, saying “ha ha, I told you so.” He grieves with a love that says, if I could trade my own salvation for them, so that they might know Christ, I would gladly do it. But despite Israel’s glorious history, despite God’s promises to Abraham, despite all of that, Paul says clearly that being born into the right family is no guarantee of being born of God.
Paul says, “Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Romans 9:6). Translation: Just because someone is religious. Just because they claim to be Abraham’s seed. Just because they were born into a Christian culture and call themselves Christians, it doesn’t mean they are children of God. The promises are not based on your blood, on your effort. “It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise” (Romans 9:8). It’s not about nationality, or tradition, or good works. It’s about God, and God choosing to show mercy.
It’s at this point that people get offended. They want a God who measures up to their ideas of fairness. They want a God who will give them credit for their efforts, even if it’s just a little credit. But Paul sees this coming and says it to their face: “Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!” (Romans 9:14). God owes no man mercy. If He did, it would not be mercy. He said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy” (Romans 9:15). God is not waiting for our permission to be God. God raises up whom He will. God casts down whom He will. He let Pharaoh be lifted up just so He could cast him down for His own glory.
So, what do you do with a God like that? Paul answers the protest before we can even form it: “Why does he still find fault?” The answer? “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” (Romans 9:20). That’s not an un-serious answer. That’s reality. God is the Potter, we are the clay. He can make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor, and He does not have to explain Himself to us. That’s not evil, that’s sovereignty.
But here’s the crazy thing. God could be perfectly just to judge everyone. Though God would be perfectly just to condemn all, He has chosen to show mercy to some. He has called some, not just from the Jews, but from the Gentiles as well, to become “vessels of mercy,” prepared beforehand for glory (Romans 9:23–24). If you’re reading this and your heart is soft. If you care about truth. If you long to know God, if you have ears to hear, that is not your doing. That is His mercy working in you.
God does not grade on a curve. He does not bend to human will. Salvation is not earned. It is a gift, and the Giver gets to decide where the gift goes. “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:16). If you belong to Christ, it’s not because you somehow deserved it. It’s because God called you. And if you haven’t yet turned to Him, there’s no better day than today. Cry out to Him for mercy while it is still being offered.
The God of the Bible is not small, tame, politically correct. He is holy, sovereign, just, and merciful beyond comprehension. The question is not whether you understand everything that He does. The question is whether you will humble yourself before Him and trust what He has said.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Let that be your starting point today.
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Romans 9:1-24
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 20:1
Today’s Scripture – Read
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Old Testament: Psalm 19:1-14
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. ~ Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:1-14
New Testament: Romans 9:1-24
Summary: God’s Sovereign Choice
~ John MacArthur
July 25 in the New Testament today we’ll be reading from the Book of Romans, chapter 9, verses 1 through 24. In a part of the Bible that emphasizes the sovereignty of God, we see Paul sorrowing. We see him praying and worshipping. He did not feel that God’s sovereignty in any way destroyed man’s responsibility.
The God who ordains the end that is saving the lost also, ordains the means to the end, the prayers and witness of his people, they go together. God is not obligated to save anybody, for all deserve to be condemned. Even Israel was chosen only because of his grace and love. Therefore, nobody can criticize God or say he is unfair. That he is merciful to sinners should make us rejoice.
Israel’s rejection of Christ did not ruin God’s plan, for he went to the Gentiles, who gladly received the Good News. However, God has a remnant among the Jews, and believing Jews and Gentiles are one in the church. That’s because his mercy endures forever. Romans 9:1-24
Predestined for Hell? Absolutely Not!
by Adrian Rogers
Download the PDF study notes file – Predestined for Hell? Absolutely Not!
Overview: Romans 5-16 Click Here to Watch Video
The Will – Because of his good deeds, a man attends the funerals of strangers to find out if he is in their will.
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