Does God choose some for damnation?
A student in World Bible School asked the following question about Romans 9:15, "Does God really choose some for damnation?" Romans 9:15 reads, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
Romans chapter 9 is admittedly a rather difficult section of Scripture. There are many people who call themselves Christians who (influenced by the doctrines of John Calvin) believe that this passage teaches that God predestines individuals to either damnation or salvation. Ultimately this false doctrine eliminates the free will of mankind. Because of the influence of Calvinism, sometimes readers are blinded to Paul’s real message in this context.
In order to understand Paul’s point here, one must carefully consider the entire context of Romans. Also, it is important to study the context of Exodus 33 since Paul is quoting from this chapter in Romans 9:15.
The real issue of Exodus 33 and Romans 9 is not the salvation of individuals but rather the role of the nation of Israel in God’s plan. Paul’s point is not about God choosing people for salvation (or damnation) but rather God choosing people for service. God can choose anyone he wishes to serve Him, even the most unlikely of characters. God chose Pharaoh (an evil man) to bring about his purposes for Israel (see Romans 9:17-18). God uses both saved people and unsaved people to bring about his ultimate purposes and it is his prerogative to do so. The prophet Habakkuk was shocked when God’s intention to use the enemies of Israel (the Chaldeans) to bring punishment upon God’s people Israel (Habakkuk 1:5-6).
With our limited viewpoint it often seems illogical that God would use evil people to bring about his ultimate good purposes. Paul is arguing that it is God’s right—in all his ultimate knowledge—to “have compassion on whom he will have compassion, and mercy upon whom he will have mercy.” Just because God uses a wicked person to serve his ultimate purposes does not mean that that person has been chosen for salvation. God chose Israel for his covenant service as a nation to bring about his purposes, but many of the Jewish people will not be saved (unless they obey Christ; Rom. 9:6-7).
In order to understand Paul’s point here, one must carefully consider the entire context of Romans. Also, it is important to study the context of Exodus 33 since Paul is quoting from this chapter in Romans 9:15.
The real issue of Exodus 33 and Romans 9 is not the salvation of individuals but rather the role of the nation of Israel in God’s plan. Paul’s point is not about God choosing people for salvation (or damnation) but rather God choosing people for service. God can choose anyone he wishes to serve Him, even the most unlikely of characters. God chose Pharaoh (an evil man) to bring about his purposes for Israel (see Romans 9:17-18). God uses both saved people and unsaved people to bring about his ultimate purposes and it is his prerogative to do so. The prophet Habakkuk was shocked when God’s intention to use the enemies of Israel (the Chaldeans) to bring punishment upon God’s people Israel (Habakkuk 1:5-6).
With our limited viewpoint it often seems illogical that God would use evil people to bring about his ultimate good purposes. Paul is arguing that it is God’s right—in all his ultimate knowledge—to “have compassion on whom he will have compassion, and mercy upon whom he will have mercy.” Just because God uses a wicked person to serve his ultimate purposes does not mean that that person has been chosen for salvation. God chose Israel for his covenant service as a nation to bring about his purposes, but many of the Jewish people will not be saved (unless they obey Christ; Rom. 9:6-7).
What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment