Review
In our study of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome, we have looked at the first 8 chapters which reveal Paul’s study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He reveals the Good News as life giving when we receive it by faith. Paul also reminds us of the Bad News and the fallen nature of the world; everything and everyone is affected by sin. He makes sure the believers in Rome, both Jew and Gentile, understand that righteousness comes by faith and trusting in Jesus Christ and not in the Law of Moses and/or man-made rules. In addition, Paul encourages living in the Holy Spirit, thereby putting our faith into action. We know that our salvation has great blessings for us today, and one day believers will experience the future glory of Jesus Christ’s return and establishment of his kingdom and the New Heaven and the New Earth. In the meantime, while we patiently wait, we are more than conquerors, knowing that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ. AMEN!
Introduction
In Romans 9 – 11, Paul shifts from the highlights of the Good News, speaking of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, to one of the main challenges faced in the church — the conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. In New Testament times many believers were Jewish, and they might question if God was being fair in justifying all by faith. “The people of Israel were adopted as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all...” (Rom 9:4-5). And this New Covenant of salvation by faith seems to ignore the covenants. How could Paul dare to introduce a New Gospel, when it appears as if God has ignored his ancient words? Paul’s answer to this major objection is what is being addressed in Romans 9 – 11. These chapters have been thoroughly debated over the years and have left people in different places of theological belief. There are two terms that come into play in these chapters.
· Sovereignty: although the word is not found in Scripture, the idea is. God is free to act as he chooses or determines, without any limits set by the actions of another, I.e., God acts as a Sovereign Creator.
· As well, the word, Election. The New Testament often uses the term “the elect” or “God’s elect” to identify believers (2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1). The Greek words indicate a “choice or selection.” Some Christians believe that election implies God’s choice of who will believe, while others say it implies his choice of those who do believe (free will).
The Mercy of God
I am not going to go through Romans 9 –11 verse by verse but will highlight what I see as key. As I just mentioned, Paul addresses the conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Have you ever been involved in a conversation where people take sides? Have you ever had to referee opposing parties? Or offer your suggestions and viewpoints? That is what the Apostle Paul is having to do with the Church of Rome. In doing so, he reminds the church in Rome of God’s history with Israel. We have seen the part Israel plays in the plans of God. He also explains how God’s salvation has also come to the Gentiles. The Jews had experienced God’s salvation first, beginning with Abraham, but many had fallen away. And as Paul began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, the Gentiles responded positively and appear to be more faithful than the Jews. It is Paul’s desire to bring unity to these groups of believers, exhorting them not to be judgmental of each other, for their salvation experiences are woven together with each other. For Jews and Gentiles alike, salvation is an act of God’s mercy, not a reward for human obedience. Here is a key verse - “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Rom 9:15-16).
God’s goodness is directly connected to his mercy. Paul is quoting from Exodus 33, where Moses is in conversation with God. Moses tells God that “if your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Ex 33:15). The Lord responds by saying, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Ex 33:17-19).
What is my point here? The Mercy of God and the Goodness of God and the Presence of God blend together in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Here are my thoughts regarding these three power houses.
· Mercy is all about God’s grace and favour touching the life of the believer.
· Goodness is all about what is fair and beautiful, gladness, joy, prosperity, good things in the natural and the spiritual; there is absolutely nothing evil or broken.
· The Presence of God is related to God’s glory in this passage. These terms are almost impossible to define. Glory and Presence in relation to God are everything that is holy, honourable, excellent, splendourous, abundant to name a few...
So, when Paul is speaking of mercy, the Jewish believers would have remembered this powerful story of Moses and God interacting with each other. The result for Moses and the church of Rome is the same. God’s mercy is overwhelming, along with the Glory and Presence of God.
This message is encouraging to the believers in Rome and for us today. God’s mercy is new every morning and touches the hearts of the disobedient day by day. All of us at some point in our Christian walk have fallen short of God’s glory and have been shown mercy. If God has mercy on us then we are called to have mercy on others (Rom 11:30-32).
The Salvation of God
Another point that I believe Paul highlights is found in Romans 10:9-10 - “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” When a believer, Jew, or Gentile, encounters the mercy of God there is a response of some sort. In this passage of Scripture, Paul encourages two responses.
· Firstly, confession with your mouth. In other words, there is a positive statement, announcement, witness, or confession with regards to Jesus being Lord. This is a powerful saying in the midst of the Roman empire where there were no lords except the Emperor.
· Secondly, salvation comes to everyone who believes and trusts in the life-giving power of God that enriches the lives of both Jews and Gentiles who follow Jesus as Lord.
Paul clarifies that it is your believing heart that brings justification; the pronouncement of righteousness in the life of the believer. Then he states that it is your confession that brings salvation, day by day.
The Ingrafted Branches
Again, Paul is concerned about the unity of the church in Rome. He desires to see both Jews and Gentiles grow together in their faith with Jesus. In Rom 11:11-24, Paul uses an illustration of a vine and branches and being grafted into each other. He does not want anyone to develop an attitude of superiority. Paul imagines the believers as an olive tree. Its roots are Jewish and go deeply into Old Testament history and God’s commitment to the chosen people. Gentiles are like branches that have been grafted into this tree. The Gentiles have no reason for pride, once understanding this. It is a sobering thought that some of the Jewish branches were broken off because of stubbornness and unbelief. Therefore, the Gentiles need to be humble and gracious in that God has grafted them in. And one day we will see how easy it will be for God to graft back the “natural branches” when the time for regathering comes at last. In other words, the Gentiles are being welcomed into the Vine in the present and some day in the future when the full number of Gentiles has come in, the remaining Israelites shall be saved as promised by God (Rom 11:25-36).
In Conclusion
Paul uses these chapters to address both Jews and Gentiles on their relationship with God and each other. The Jews believed that God was being unfaithful to the Law and Jewish history. The Gentiles were being disrespectful and judgmental toward the Jews… The challenge is that you and I can sometimes do the same thing towards each other and God. Our theology and study of God has its own limitations. We can miss the truth of God while trying to maintain our position or point of view. Case in point is the Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of Man. Is God accountable to us and our theological beliefs? Or can we as Paul was trying to teach the church of Rome, look at the same Gospel of Jesus, understanding God’s mercy and salvation for both the Jew and Gentile. Some ideas may be beyond our comprehension. Can we simply confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart and be justified. We cannot completely understand the wisdom and knowledge of God, but we can surrender in trust. We cannot fully experience his Sovereignty, but we can let his mercy and goodness touch our lives. It is fitting that Paul ends these three chapters with this doxology of praise to God – Rom 11:33-36 - Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
The practical application of God’s mercy and salvation in the church of Rome and in our day and age is what the Apostle Paul begins to address as we turn to Romans 12.
Let’s Pray…