Peter Barnes | Romans 9:14-16
SERMON NOTES
BY ELECTING MERCY ALONE
(Romans 9:14-16)
– this is not necessarily the first doctrine to be proclaimed!
1. ‘Is God just?’ is precisely the issue.
– 9:14; there would be possible objection if God simply foresees what we will do; Paul raises questions and possible objections seven times in Romans (3:5; 4:1; 6:1; 7:7; 8:31; 9:14, 30)
– Paul’s second question demands a ‘no’ answer but he answers it anyway
– God is righteous (Deut.32:4; Ps.11:7; Dan.9:14)
2. God is His own standard.
– 9:15; from Ex.33:19
– Rob Bell in Love Wins: ‘Although God is powerful and mighty, when it comes to the human heart God has to play by the same rules we do. God has to respect our freedom to choose to the very end, even at the risk of the relationship itself.’ How does he know that? The answer is that he doesn’t.
– God is not arbitrary (e.g. Matt.7:11), but He can do what we cannot and still be just (e.g. 1 Kings 14:1, 12-13)
3. Not by our wills or efforts, but by God’s mercy.
– 9:16; our wills and works are demanded (Matt.23:37; Phil.2:12) but these are the result, not the cause, of God’s electing grace.