9:8 - It is not people that are born into Christian families and forced to go to church their whole lives who are the children of God (They can be, but just because that is where you come from doesn't make you a believer)...it is people that actually cling to the hope and the promises of God.
9:14-29 - Some of the most controversial verses in the entire bible. Examples..."Jacob I loved, Esau I hated." - God. "I will have mercy on who I have mercy on" - God. The potter can mold the clay for honorable and dishonorable use. Does this mean that God predestines people to go to hell? Does this passage say that we are saved because God chose some of us to be saved and we will never be saved if God chose us not to be saved? This is the debate that has raged for centuries when it comes to verses like these. It is the wonderful old Calvin vs. Armenian throw down. Eternal security/predestination vs. free will. So where should we stand as rational believers? I believe that we should stand somewhere in the middle, because I believe that is where Paul sits. There are too many scriptures from throughout the New Testament that support both sides of the argument for us to choose one side and run wild accusing the other side of being hell-bound idiots. Chapter 9 gives plenty of credence to Calvinism as well as many other verses written by Paul, but what about the words of Jesus. In Hebrews Chapter 5 and 9 the author says that Jesus died once for the salvation of ALL who believe. Everybody who believers becomes saved...not just a chosen few. I Corinthians 9:27 - Paul talks about how he runs the race towards Christ with everything he has, beating his body into submission because he doesn't want to be disqualified from the race...leaving the impression that you can be disqualified from the race if you turn from God. I Peter 1:5 says that believers are kept through "faith" in their inheritance that won't fade away. Hebrew 6:4ff talks about people who were once believers who have turned from God. John 15:1ff talks about how people who were a part of the vine being cut off and thrown away. These are just a few of the verses that could be used. It is unfair to the truth of God, to put God in a man-made theological box and try to hold Him there. He is too huge! The best way I have heard it explained is this - teach like an Armenian and hope like a Calvinist. Meaning you should be out there sharing the Gospel with people because they have the free will to choose to accept the grace of Jesus Christ (Like an Armenian), but you should also be confident in the eternal life that awaits for you as believer (Like a Calvinist). This is going to be a debate that rages for all time, but a few things are certain...those who believe in Jesus Christ are saved, and those who are saved are supposed to be making disciples. Get to work and quit have lame theological arguments!
9:33 - Jesus was a stumbling block because his message was so radical and unheard of - it messed with peoples' minds. He was offensive because he called people to become slaves and he preached that no one was good enough to save themselves. What seemed shameful to the Jews (And to many people today) - the Way of Jesus Christ - is the only thing that can save us from truly being shamed in the end.
2 comments:
Have to admit – chp 9 is a real struggle for me. If there were ever a chapter that would make me want to just give up, this could be it. Especially verses 13-22.
Upon first glance, these verses seem to indicate that God can put you in a place where you have no chance or choice whatsoever to come to Him. Read 15-18.
Now I know that we all have a choice – free will. Without free will, we are merely robots or puppets. Free will negates the “I did not have a choice” argument.
And since God is over all, the only explanation that I have is that He puts each soul in the place where that human being will be most likely to seek out God. In this way, none are with excuse. Everyone will have been given the chance and in the end, God will show everyone exactly where those chances were.
So don’t buy into anyone who tries to tell you different. It is a choice – life or death – Jesus or not. And with this “bet”, you have to go all in to the end – half-way just won’t cut it.
Finally vs 33 – the best ending to a chapter that is not easy for me – “and the one who trusts in him(Christ) will never be put to shame.”
There’s my hope – that’s my salvation. I am betting my eternity on Jesus, who He is – Messiah – and what He said He would do for me if I trust in Him – life with God – forever.
Peace,
j
ps – wrote mine before you posted, brando. Didn’t know if you would cover this or not. Glad you did.
:)
WOW! I've always thought the following Christ is not about one absolute or another, but a balance. And here we are again. But it is so true: we spend so much time debating everything when the call is to be Christ followers and make disciples. Free will vs predestination. It is a debate that will go on forever...
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