We continue our progress through the book of Romans in Chapter 9, verses 14-18. Paul continues his explanation of how God worked in history to bring about His purpose through the Jewish people. He takes head on the questions we might be asking. God seems to be playing favorites in a completely arbitrary manner. How is this right? The answer is simply that He is God and He does as He pleases.

As we study passages like this one, it is helpful to remember the other things we know about God. As the creator of everything that is, he defines what is good and what is just. He cannot lie, so we know that He will keep His word. Theologians will argue over free will until He returns and sets us all straight, but all we need to know is that "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)