Understanding God's Sovereignty in Mercy and Election

 

Summary

In this evening's reflection on Romans 9:14-18, we delve into the profound and often challenging doctrine of God's sovereignty in election. The Apostle Paul addresses the question of whether there is unrighteousness with God in His sovereign choice to have mercy on some and not on others. This passage emphasizes that God's decisions are not based on human will or effort but solely on His divine mercy and compassion. The Apostle Paul uses the example of God's words to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy," to illustrate that God's mercy is not universal but selective, according to His sovereign will.

We explored the distinction between mercy and compassion, noting that compassion is the feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else's suffering, while mercy is the action taken to relieve that suffering. This distinction is crucial because it highlights that God's mercy is not an obligation but a voluntary act of grace. The Apostle Paul argues that if God were to act solely on justice, none would be saved, as all have sinned and fall short of His glory. Therefore, the fact that anyone receives mercy is a testament to God's grace, not human merit.

The sermon also addresses the common misconception of universalism, the belief that all will eventually be saved. This view contradicts the clear biblical teaching that God chooses some for salvation and not others. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that God's choices are not arbitrary but are part of His divine purpose and plan, which are beyond human understanding. The mystery lies not in why God doesn't save everyone, but in why He chooses to save anyone at all.

Ultimately, this teaching calls us to humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace. It challenges us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when we cannot fully comprehend His ways.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Sovereignty in Election: God's choice to have mercy on some and not others is based on His sovereign will, not human merit or effort. This challenges us to trust in His divine wisdom and purpose, recognizing that His ways are higher than ours. [01:34]

- Distinction Between Mercy and Compassion: Mercy is the action taken to relieve suffering, while compassion is the feeling of pity for that suffering. Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate that God's mercy is a voluntary act of grace, not an obligation. [16:24]

- Rejection of Universalism: The belief that all will be saved contradicts the biblical teaching of God's selective mercy. This doctrine calls us to accept the mystery of God's choices and to trust in His justice and righteousness. [26:55]

- Humility and Gratitude: Recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace should lead us to humility and gratitude. The mystery is not why God doesn't save everyone, but why He chooses to save anyone at all. [44:29]

- Trust in God's Wisdom: We are called to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when we cannot fully understand His ways. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God's actions are always just and righteous. [46:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Romans 9:14-18
- [01:16] - The Doctrine of Election
- [02:23] - Understanding Paul's Argument
- [03:12] - Historical Perspectives on Election
- [04:10] - Salvation and Understanding
- [05:15] - The Role of Doctrine in Salvation
- [06:28] - Addressing Objections to God's Sovereignty
- [07:54] - Analysis of Paul's Argument
- [09:11] - God's Sovereignty in Mercy
- [12:11] - The Example of Moses
- [15:03] - Mercy and Compassion Explained
- [19:49] - God's Selective Mercy
- [24:26] - Refuting Universalism
- [28:34] - Trusting the Word of God
- [37:50] - Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
- [44:54] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 9:14-18
- Exodus 33:19

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Observation Questions:

1. What question does Paul address in Romans 9:14, and how does he respond to it? [00:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between mercy and compassion, and why is this distinction important? [16:24]
3. What example from the Old Testament does Paul use to illustrate God's sovereignty in showing mercy? [12:35]
4. According to the sermon, what is the common misconception about universalism, and how does it contradict biblical teaching? [26:55]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of God's sovereignty in election, and what implications does this have for understanding salvation? [01:34]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's mercy is a voluntary act rather than an obligation? How does this shape our understanding of grace? [17:17]
3. How does the sermon address the tension between God's justice and mercy, and what does it suggest about our human understanding of these attributes? [18:38]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of human will and effort in relation to God's sovereign choices? [32:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand God's decisions in your life. How can the concept of God's sovereignty in election help you trust His wisdom more fully? [46:57]
2. The sermon emphasizes humility and gratitude in response to God's grace. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the mercy you've received, even when you don't fully understand it? [44:29]
3. How can you reconcile the idea of God's selective mercy with the call to love and serve all people? What practical steps can you take to demonstrate God's love to those around you? [23:43]
4. Consider the distinction between mercy and compassion. How can you move from feeling compassion for someone to taking action that demonstrates mercy? [16:24]
5. The sermon challenges the belief in universalism. How can you engage in conversations about salvation with those who hold different views, while maintaining respect and understanding? [26:55]
6. How does the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) illustrate the principles discussed in the sermon? How can this parable shape your perspective on fairness and grace? [38:08]
7. In what ways can you deepen your trust in God's sovereignty, especially in areas of your life where you feel uncertain or anxious? [46:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereign Choice
God's sovereignty in election is a profound truth that challenges human understanding. It emphasizes that God's choice to have mercy on some and not others is based on His sovereign will, not on human merit or effort. This truth calls believers to trust in God's divine wisdom and purpose, recognizing that His ways are higher than ours. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 9:14-18, addresses the question of whether there is unrighteousness with God in His sovereign choice. He uses the example of God's words to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy," to illustrate that God's mercy is selective, according to His sovereign will. This understanding challenges believers to trust in God's wisdom, even when they cannot fully comprehend His ways. [01:34]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you actively choose to trust Him today, even when you don't understand His ways?


Day 2: Understanding Mercy as a Voluntary Act of Grace
The distinction between mercy and compassion is crucial in understanding God's character. Compassion is the feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else's suffering, while mercy is the action taken to relieve that suffering. This distinction highlights that God's mercy is not an obligation but a voluntary act of grace. The Apostle Paul argues that if God were to act solely on justice, none would be saved, as all have sinned and fall short of His glory. Therefore, the fact that anyone receives mercy is a testament to God's grace, not human merit. This understanding helps believers appreciate the depth of God's love and the voluntary nature of His mercy. [16:24]

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you received mercy from someone. How can you extend that same voluntary act of grace to someone in your life today?


Day 3: Embracing the Mystery of God's Selective Mercy
The rejection of universalism is a key aspect of understanding God's selective mercy. Universalism, the belief that all will eventually be saved, contradicts the biblical teaching that God chooses some for salvation and not others. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that God's choices are not arbitrary but are part of His divine purpose and plan, which are beyond human understanding. The mystery lies not in why God doesn't save everyone, but in why He chooses to save anyone at all. This teaching calls believers to accept the mystery of God's choices and to trust in His justice and righteousness. [26:55]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: How do you respond to the mystery of God's selective mercy? What steps can you take to trust in His justice and righteousness today?


Day 4: Cultivating Humility and Gratitude for God's Grace
Recognizing that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace should lead believers to humility and gratitude. The Apostle Paul highlights that if God were to act solely on justice, none would be saved. Therefore, the fact that anyone receives mercy is a testament to God's grace, not human merit. This understanding challenges believers to cultivate humility and gratitude, acknowledging that their salvation is not earned but given by God's grace. The mystery is not why God doesn't save everyone, but why He chooses to save anyone at all. [44:29]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you express gratitude for God's grace in your life today? How can you cultivate a heart of humility in response to His mercy?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Wisdom and Sovereignty
Believers are called to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when they cannot fully understand His ways. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God's actions are always just and righteous. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 9:14-18, emphasizes that God's choices are part of His divine purpose and plan, which are beyond human understanding. This teaching challenges believers to trust in God's wisdom, recognizing that His ways are higher than theirs. Trusting in God's sovereignty requires a deep faith in His character and His promises. [46:57]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God's wisdom? How can you actively choose to trust Him today, acknowledging His sovereignty in your life?

Quotes

"I think we established this point we said there were two main things before us the first is what had the Apostle been saying from verse 6 to verse 13 and we came to the conclusion that what he had been saying was this that God in the carrying out of his great and eternal purpose does so through the process of election or selection and that in this method of election God is governed by nothing but by his own sovereign will and that in the exercise of that sovereign will he chooses some to salvation and rejects others." [00:01:04]

"Now what does he mean Willy what he's saying is this to show mercy to some introducing in the way that God does it cannot be unrighteous as PO because God himself has said that he does though God said that to mirth you'll find that in exodus 33:19 he's quoting from exodus 33:19 but the apostles argument usually is this he said you can't say that this is unrighteous because God himself has told us in what he said to Moses on that occasion that he does this very thing and says the Apostle by implication that is sufficient in and of itself what God says is always final what God says is always just and it is always righteous." [00:12:16]

"Mercy represents the desire to relieve suffering compassion or graciousness of the other hand refers to the feelings which are experienced in the view of suffering in other words compassion generally comes before mercy this is what is meant by compassion that when you see a case of suffering well there are certain feelings that are kindled within you immediately a sense of sorrow and a sense of pity now mercy is what puts that into practice mercy is more practical than compassion compassion is the feeling experienced in view of suffering mercy is the desire to relieve the suffering to do something about it and to remove it." [00:16:18]

"If God dealt with any one of us in justice and in righteousness well then we would everyone of us be damned eternally because that is what we deserve very well you see it's important to understand the return we are not dealing with justice and righteousness as the Apostle we are dealing with mercy we are dealing with compassion don't think of it in terms of justice and of righteousness at all otherwise there's no hope for anybody the whole world lieth guilty before God there is none righteous no not one everyone deserves hell and eternal punishment this is the Apostle I'm talking about passion I'm talking about mercy." [00:18:13]

"God is always just God is always wise God is always true God is always holy God is always powerful but here God Himself tells us that he is not always merciful there is a distinction here everything God does is just God is just in his dealings with all people but he has himself said quite deliberately that he shows mercy not to all but only to some now I am making this point of course because there is a doctrine which goes by the name of universalism and there is a doctrine which believes that ultimately everybody is going to be saved and their argument for that is that God is love and that God is merciful." [00:20:27]

"The teaching of universalism is not merely a contradiction of the teaching of the Apostle Paul it is a contradiction of the teaching of the Son of God it is a contradiction of the plain teaching of God himself well now my friends we are ending very high and important and serious metals you see in the end it comes to this on what are you basing your position and there are only two ultimate pieces you either believe this to be the inspired Word of God and trust yourself entirely to what it says or else you base your position upon what you think and what other people think with you it's got to be one or the other." [00:28:09]

"Now there is nothing I say that can possibly be more explicit than this we must never say that our salvation depends upon anything whatsoever in us the willing and the running exclude every activity on the sight of men it is as the apostle puts it then at the end it is our God that showeth mercy which is just another way of saying what he said there at the end of verse 11 it is of him that calleth it is entirely utterly absolutely altogether from God it is God's will it is God's choice it is entirely of God." [00:37:02]

"God has a right to show mercy to whom he will show mercy God has a right to have compassion upon those and whom he will have compassion there is no ground of complaint whatsoever there is no legal opposition that we can checked against us there is no charge that we can bring against God if he did nothing but allowed the whole of mankind to go to everlasting perdition no one would have the slightest ground of complaint so God is absolutely free to do as he likes and as he pleases and what he told nurses was and what is repeated by Paul is that he chooses to show mercy to some and not to others." [00:45:04]

"Don't talk about right and justice and righteousness it doesn't come in at all this is mercy this is compassion it's altogether a free gift of God and he has a right to do anything he likes when mystery I say is this that he should ever have chosen to give it to me and to you that's the thing that we ought to be amazed about not that he does have mercy upon something not upon others but that he has mercy on anybody at all and especially that he has had mercy upon us we are not told anywhere in the Bible as to what determines this in God we are not meant to know obviously it's too big for us God is in heaven my friends and you and I are on earth." [00:46:06]

"Recognize what he says what he does recognize his right to do so recognize his justice in doing so and if you have ever received mercy and know you've had it then I say if you really examine the whole position you won't feel there's any unrighteousness or injustice in God in this I say you'll be filled with this sense of wonder and amazement that he's been able to have mercy to anybody above all to you when you consider the way we contrived in order to show this mercy and to make it actual and practical even in delivering his only begotten Son up to the death of the cross and Calvinism." [00:51:26]

"Now what is the message of the parable well surely it's quite plain you're a man you see they come they say they won't work and the master agrees with them yes if you go work in my vineyard today I'll give you a penny for doing so but then you remember later on in the day and even at the very end levant hour he went out and he saw some people standing idle in the market he said you go and work in my vineyard why standing idle all the day so he said to them go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right let Jill he received he made no bargain with him he just said to them if you are prepared to trust me well I'll give you that which is right." [00:38:01]

"God owes nothing to anybody but if he like this lord of the vineyard chooses to do something with what is his own should I be evil because he is good God has a right to show mercy to whom he will show mercy God has a right to have compassion upon those and whom he will have compassion there is no ground of complaint whatsoever there is no legal opposition that we can checked against us there is no charge that we can bring against God if he did nothing but allowed the whole of mankind to go to everlasting perdition no one would have the slightest ground of complaint so God is absolutely free to do as he likes and as he pleases." [00:45:04]

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