Do I belong with the Redeemed?

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Ro 9:15).
 
Dear CBC Family,

It’s been several years we have been in Romans. This monumental book of the grace and mercy of God has changed many of our lives forever. The truths Paul has brought to bear on each of us has been incredible. That said, some of the book has been tremendously difficult in what it reveals about God. Election, God’s hardening and His glory in condemnation are often topics we would sometimes prefer to skip over because they make us uncomfortable and challenge our concepts of who God is. I, for one, do not want a comfortable concept of God. I want a biblical one, as I am certain you do as well. To that end we press on together.

So, where is Paul leading us to in this tough part of the book? If we know where we are headed then this section of Romans will make much more sense as to why it is written this way. We need to keep in mind that Paul has a very clear aim: PRAISE. He delves deeply into God’s sovereignty in salvation in chapter 9 for more than just answering why so many Jews of his day were not saved. After establishing God’s glory in unconditional election as consistent with His nature Paul does not eliminate man’s responsibility to respond to the gospel, which we see in chapter 10. He brings it all together in chapter 11, yet his aim in all this is not so much to offer us a systematic theological view of election or salvation or divine calling or the place of the Jews in the divine economy. Rather he aims for the glory of God!

Notice the last paragraph in chapter 11. After investigating these weighty matters and considering salvation from varied angles, Paul explodes with praise in tribute to the glory of God in every detail of salvation. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-36

We are in the most assurance giving section in Romans. Last week we looked briefly at the first question I posed based upon Paul’s assertions of the amazing trustworthiness of the gospel. I asked you: “Will God really come through for us”? This week we will finish that question and then move forward to the second “for” which answers the question: “Do I really belong with the redeemed”? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Do you feel you are an exception to the promises of God? If you have ever struggled with that then come and let the word of God forever correct that issue. Bring a friend that might feel the same and see what the Lord will do through His powerful word.

Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Scott