Is God Fair When He Unconditionally Chose the Elect? Romans 9:14-18

Introduction The doctrine of God’s unconditional election is so different from what most of us grew up with. Could have a hard time believing it is in the Bible Could have a hard time feeling that it is good news. The key message of Romans 9 is that – GOD IS JUST OR RIGHTEOUS IN UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION The Doctrine of Unconditional Election is the real GOOD NEWS

What shall we say then, is there injustice in God’s part? (v14) This is the key objection that Paul has been hearing for years in the synagogues where he preached. The objection is –with unconditional election God could be perceived as unfair. The objection could have come from Romans 9:7-13 The answer to this objection is Romans 9:14-18 The point is that God’s favour in choosing us is not based on what we do or what we think or what we feel or what we choose, but on God alone-THE ONE WHO CALLS. Which person to trust Christ and be saved, and which one chooses to reject Christ and finally be lost, is finally God’s choice. Is God Unfair (v14)-By no means ,His choice is His Sovereign will.

Why is Doctrine of Election Good News? Because it means no unbeliever is so bad that they can say in response to our gospel pleading “I cant be elect, I am too evil. I have sinned too long and too deeply. -We don’t have to be in despair of our situation even how sinful we are. -Nobody is beyond God’s grace and election Because it preserves the praise of God’s glorious grace at every point in our salvation. -We don’t become the decisive cause of our salvation hence we don’t boast about it. Instead we give glory to God who has chosen us. Because the root of God’s almighty commitment to save you –are not shallow but go down deep into the counsels of eternity. -God will enable you to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3-11).

Paul reasserts the Doctrine of Unconditional Election in v16 V16 –So then it depends not on human will or exertion but on God who has mercy God’s electing purpose does not depend on human will or exertion. “ It is not of him who wills or of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (John Piper) This is important to understand because it touches the issue some people find controversial – THE HUMAN WILL. The human will is not the final and decisive condition of election-God is. It is God and God alone. God chooses His own people before we have willed anything like faith, or done anything like love. This verse is a very strong reassertion of the doctrine of election-taught in v11-14.

Paul’s Argument in v15 for Righteousness of God in Unconditional Election v14What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part. By no means ( the statement) V15 start with the word for-to show he is giving a reason or basis of the statement “For I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (This sounds like a restatement not an argument or reason) To understand this- -the context of the Old Testament quotation in Exodus 33:19 -Pauls understanding of the righteousness of God.

The context of Exodus 33:19 Take the background to the statement. Moses was asking God for him (Moses ) to see His Glory God’s response ( expanded taking into consideration the context) “My glory is expressed in my name, Yahweh (Lord) and my name is expressed in my freedom to have mercy on whom I have mercy. This is who I am. This is my name . This is my Glory. My essence as God consists essentially in being free from any constraint originating outside my own will. This is the essence of what it means to be God . This is his name, my glory “ (John Piper). This context is confirmed back in Exodus 3 :14”I AM WHO I AM”

The meaning of God’s Righteousness God’s righteousness is essentially his unswerving allegiance to his own name. He is righteous when he values most what is most valuable, and what is most valuable is His own glory. Therefore, God’s justice, his righteousness, consists most fundamentally in doing what is consistent with the esteem and demonstration of his name. God would be unrighteous if he did not uphold his glory as infinitely valuable. Because unconditional election is dependent on God and not of human will, this gives glory to God and shows the righteousness of God.

Conclusions/Applications No amount of sin that you have ever done can keep you from being God’s elect. We don’t judge others for what/who they are The praise for your salvation go to Him and not to yourself Be thankful and humble of the grace and love that God has bestowed on us.