What theological principle in Romans 9-11 encouraged you this week?
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 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.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)
Romans 10:8-13 is at the heart of the Gospel message. I don’t know how someone can read this and not be encouraged.
That said, verse 11 jumped out at me this week. Romans 1:16 also comes to mind.
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. (Romans 1:16)
The world we live in is often quick to shame us for what we believe. As we go out into the world with a shepherd’s mindset, we need to remember these truths. The world is going to attempt to shame us every chance it gets. But we can find encouragement and rest in scripture when it says that these attempts are futile, and we will not be put to shame.
Read Romans 9:14-24. Does God seem unjust here? Why or why not?
To use Paul’s own words, “By no means!” Verses 19-24 answer this best.
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? (Romans 9:19-24)
Interestingly enough, the Holy Spirit prompted me to teach on the justness of God for our current field exercise. I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface in my preparation. Still, something I realized right off the bat was that I wouldn’t be able to teach about God’s justness without also teaching about His holiness and His goodness, His mercifulness, and His graciousness. I think the natural progression of any conversation about the justness of God results in at least two questions.
Question: What gives God the right, or what qualifies Him, to be called a just judge?
Answer: Because God is holy, and God is good.
Question: Why then, if God is just, do those who are, or have been, disobedient (which is all of us) still seem to receive blessings?
Answer: This one is twofold. 1) We may not always see God’s justice served. 2) God is full of mercy and grace for those who trust in and love Him.
At the end of the day, what I think Paul is saying here is, who are we to question God? Who are we to question the justness of the perfect, holy, and good God? Likewise, who are we to question His mercy and grace?