The Word Unleashed - Radio

In Romans 9, the apostle Paul explains the great doctrine of divine election. In doing so, he teaches that all men are equally deserving of God's justice. But God has the sole right to decide who gets the justice that they have earned by breaking His law and sinning against Him and who gets the mercy they have not earned, which is a demonstration of God’s grace.

The doctrine of divine election is necessary for salvation because human beings are radically depraved, which means that we would never choose God apart from divine intervention. Election teaches that our only hope is in a good, generous, and gracious God who is willing to save rebels through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alongside the doctrine of divine election is the doctrine of reprobation, which holds that God passes over some sinners, resulting in their receiving the justice that they fully deserve. When studying Romans 9, it is crucial to understand the distinctions between those two doctrines. The apostle Paul anticipates another objection, so he sets out to demonstrate that election and reprobation are completely compatible with the character of God.

One of the greatest stories in the Old Testament is God’s dealings with Moses, Pharaoh, and the 10 plagues. That great story from the book of Exodus pictures God’s redeeming work of saving the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. But why did God choose to redeem Moses and not Pharaoh?

As Paul writes Romans chapter 9 and explains divine election, he understands that the truths he’s trying to convey are difficult to understand and grasp—and that they, at first glance, don’t seem fair. So Paul himself brings up logical objections in order to provide a series of answers to help his teaching on election make sense to his readers—and us today.

The doctrine of election, which teaches that God has elected some—not all—people to salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, does not contradict the fact that God loves all people and desires for them to be saved. In fact, Scripture makes it clear that God desires that all sinners repent, turn from their sins, and trust in Christ for salvation. Both the Old and New Testaments speak of God in this way.

Those who profess to be part of the Christian faith agree that it was God's decision to provide salvation to lost and rebellious sinners. Scripture makes it clear that God has initiated such a plan of salvation. And Scripture is equally clear: not all people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Is the doctrine of divine election based on the good works of any man or woman? According to the apostle Paul in Romans 9, election isn’t based on works, merit, or efforts but on the sovereign grace of God. Put this way, Paul teaches that election isn’t God’s response to His knowledge or understanding of what any person has done or will do in the future, nor is He coerced by man’s actions or will.

Many people think the doctrine of divine election works this way: because God is all-knowing and knows who will and who won’t believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, God elects those whom He knows will believe. But is that what the apostle Paul teaches in Romans 9? Pastor Tom argues from Romans 9 that divine election isn’t like that at all, and he uses the Old Testament to make his point clear: divine election is a sovereign work of the Almighty God.

To build his case for the doctrine of divine election, the apostle Paul goes to the Old Testament for evidence and support. To begin, he demonstrates that God’s plan of redemption, including justification by faith alone, wouldn’t be through Abraham’s son with Hagar, Ishmael, but would be through Abraham’s firstborn with Sarah, Isaac.