22 - Doesn't this verse seem to imply a continued salvation through faith? Again, this doesn't mean that men save themselves through good works...it means that we must always continue to trust in His kindness and faithfulness. He will allow us to reject His kindness...read the verse again.
32 - Again, Paul uses language that speaks of all men...all men are fallen, and through our failure God offers His mercy to all. All that is good within us comes from God...yet all that is evil within us proclaims the glory and mercy though God's forgiveness. God is good!
33 - There have been some really hot theological topics covered in the last few chapters - free will, predestination, one saved/always saved, continual salvation, etc. This verse is great to end any absurd human theological argument (The word theological in itself is insane, as we boast of our particular "knowledge of God" - as if He is fully knowable). How unsearchable are His judgements and inscrutable are His ways! How could we ever be arrogant enough to assume we have constructed some error free doctrine, when it is clear that we are too far below God to fully know His ways? Every argument can end like this - do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God and he died to pay the price for your sins? Then we're good!
2 comments:
Last part of 20 - Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. I have heard many non-believers say that they were turned off to the church because of the arrogant people in it. Paul lays it out – be afraid. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches (the Jews, His nation, His people He loves), he will not spare you either.
Too often we forget Prov 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Just because we have been blessed enough to hear the Word and (prayerfully) accept it, we should not get too comfortable in our position. We should remember where we came from – a life of sin. The people we are trying to reach – they are where we were. And they need Christ just as much as we did – and still do.
I pray that I have less arrogance in my life and more compassion for anyone who needs Jesus.
j
I am remembering a thread of posts earlier in Romans where we talked about the difference between believing sinners and non-believing sinners. God is God and will have his way when we sin and because he is good he will stand out for it. But imagine how much more will be accomplished if we do it willingly...
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