The Romans Road
A Simplified Commentary on the Book of Romans. (Chapter 9)
Hey darling 😚 🥰.
I hope you have read the commentary on Romans chapter 8!? It reminds me of a hymn, ‘In Christ Alone!’ The last stanza of the hymn resonates with the question, ‘What can separate us from the love of God?’
“No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand”
It's safe to say it explains other verses in chapter 8 too🤭!
So, do you have any questions or doubts from the previous chapters? I would love to hear them 🥰. You can either respond to this mail or send me a direct message on Substack 👇🏻
Onto the next chapter, Chapter 9!
Paul's Desire for His People To Be Saved (Rom. 9:1-3)
Pau was deeply troubled and had unceasing anguish in his heart.
He yearned for his people - the Israelites to believe.
How Blessed Israelites Are ( Rom. 9:4-5)
They were adopted as God's people.
They saw the glory of God.
God made covenants with them.
They received the law.
They had the privilege of worshipping God in the temple.
They received God's promises.
Their ancestors were great people of God.
Jesus Christ himself was a Jew as far as His human nature is concerned.
Has God Failed with His Plan Regarding Israel? ( Rom. 9:6)
God's word, promises and plan regarding Israel had not failed.
Clarity-check (Rom. 9: 6-8)
Not everyone born into a Jewish family is a Jew.
Because they are descendants of Abraham doesn't make them truly Abraham's children.
Abraham's physical descendants are not necessarily children of God.
The children of God's promise to Abraham are considered Abraham's children.
God's Promise is More Important than Natural Relation (Rom. 9:9-13)
God's choice between Ishmael and Isaac.
God's choice between Esau and Jacob.
God's choice is never based on time of birth.
God's choice is never based on one's performance.
God's choice is not based on works, it is based on Him who calls that the purpose of selection might stand
What Does This Say About God? (Rom. 9: 14-16)
Has God been unfair and unrighteous with His choices - Of course not!
God will show mercy to anyone He chooses and God will show compassion to anyone He chooses.
‘Mercy is not our right nor is God obligated to show mercy.’
It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
‘Mercy is not given to us based on what we wish to do or what we are actually doing.’
The Example of Pharaoh (Rom. 9:17-18)
Pharaoh was created for the very purpose of being a means to show God's power.
Through Pharaoh, God preplanned that His name would be declared on all the earth.
God had mercy on whom He wills and hardens whom He wants to harden.
God Has The Right to do What He Will to be Glorified (Rom. 9:19-29)
The thing that was formed cannot question the one who formed it.
The potter had power over the clay.
What if God with much patience towards the vessels to show His wrath?
What if God purposes to show and make known His glory in those He decides to show mercy?
For everyone He has called into His family, we are an example of this because we are not all Jews.
Gentiles vs. Israelites in Attaining Righteousness (Rom. 9:30-33)
The Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained it by faith.
The people of Israel, who pursued the law as a way of righteousness, habe not attained their goal
Why not?
Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it was by works.
Food For Thought:
How grateful are you to be counted as those the Lord called into His family, the one He showed mercy?
See you tomorrow ☺️