Romans - Week 21

God Chooses

READ

Romans 9:17-18

17 For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” 18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.

Pharaoh rejected what God wanted Him to do: to let Moses and his followers leave Egypt. So God displayed His power through Pharaoh to let the world know who was the true God of the universe. As commonly said, “The sun melts the ice but hardens the clay.” One’s response to God allows Him to show that individual mercy or to further harden the heart of those who refuse to listen.

REFLECT

Is your heart soft toward God and His ways or do you argue with God about your circumstances?

RESPOND

For background about Pharaoh’s rejection of God’s will and God’s reaction, read Exodus 5:1-2 and 6:1-8.

Mere Human Beings

READ

Romans 9:19-20

19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” 20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”

Humans often try to understand the mind of God, but Paul tells them no to do that. Those who have been created should not argue with their Creator about why He has done this or that. Each person should realize that God has a distinct purpose for him or her and seek to honor Him in all that is done. God wants people to serve Him because they want to, not because they have to.

REFLECT

Is it your desire to please Jesus in all you do?

RESPOND

Read Isaiah 55:9-11 that tells of the difference in God’s ways and man’s ways. It also assures you of the value of telling others about God’s Word.

Lumps of Clay

READ

Romans 9:21-22

21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.

Paul used an example from everyday life for his readers. Unlike a potter with his clay, however, God is patient with those on whom His anger falls. He gave Pharaoh opportunity to let His people go, but when Pharaoh refused, he experienced God’s discipline. So today, God is patient with those who reject Him, but opportunity to trust Him as Savior comes only in this life. A sudden accident can snap an individual into eternity with no more opportunity to be delivered from condemnation.

REFLECT

How long did God deal with you before you trusted in Jesus as your Savior?

RESPOND

Verses to use in witnessing that help make the points in this post are such as Hebrews 9:27 and

2 Peter 3:9. Talk about these verses with your disciple.

Riches of His Glory

READ

Romans 9:23-24

23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. 24 And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

God’s patience in waiting for people to come to Him reveals the riches of His glory. Those who come to Him bask in these riches as they realize they have been selected by Him. Paul indicated God was not partial in choosing because His grace applied to both Jews and Gentiles. God’s love is inclusive in that it includes all; but salvation is exclusive in that only those who trust in Jesus for salvation will have eternal life.

REFLECT

If you have trusted in Jesus for salvation, are you rejoicing in the riches of His glory?

RESPOND

Discuss with your disciple the treasures you have by having trusted in Jesus for salvation. His death freed you from the penalty of sin; He now is in the process of helping you overcome the power of sin. Someday when you are in heaven with Him you will be freed from the presence of sin.

My People

READ

Romans 9:25-26

25 Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.” 26 And, “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”

Having mentioned the Gentiles in the previous verses, Paul now says more about them. They were referred to as “not my people” because they did not have the law as given through Moses. But God’s grace is available to all so that allows even Gentiles to be called “my people” when they believe in Him.

REFLECT

If you are not of Jewish heritage, thank the Lord that even though at one time your ancestors were not God’s people, their descendants—you—can be now by trusting in Jesus for salvation.

RESPOND

Read Acts 10:43-45 that tells how God let it be known through Peter that salvation was also available to the Gentiles.