Unconditional Election and Justice of God Romans II Series [3] Romans 9:14-18

Romans 9:14-18 [ESV] 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

A QUESTION OF “FAIRNESS” IN GOD’S CHOICE Three questions/objections because of Israel’s unbelief:  QUESTION #1: “Has the word/promise of God failed?” (v.6)  QUESTION #2: “Is God unjust in his sovereign choice?” (v.14)  QUESTION #3: “Why then does God still blame us?” (v.19)

A QUESTION OF “FAIRNESS” IN GOD’S CHOICE Three questions/objections because of Israel’s unbelief:  QUESTION #1: “Has the word/promise of God failed?” (v.6)  QUESTION #2: “Is God unjust in his sovereign choice?” (v.14)  QUESTION #3: “Why then does God still blame us?” (v.19)

A QUESTION OF “FAIRNESS” IN GOD’S CHOICE Truths about today’s question/objection (v.14):  It is a question NOT about salvation of nations BUT about individual salvation.  It is NOT about God’s conditional election based on his foreknowledge BUT about God’s unconditional election. Why this objection is raised:  If God loved Isaac and hated Esau even before they had done anything good or wrong (v.13), is God unfair to Esau?  If God chooses to save some to salvation [the elect] and reject others [the non-elect], is God just/fair in so doing?  If God sovereignly chooses only some to be saved, is God just/fair to all?

IS GOD UNJUST IN HIS SOVEREIGN CHOICE? 1)God is just in choosing to give us what we do not deserve—which is sovereign grace [“mercy”]. 14What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (vs.14-15)  “By no means!”: this is the strongest NO to any possibility of injustice on God’s part [= a thousand times no!].  At first reading, Paul’s answer may sound more like a restatement of the problem—BUT this is the most truthful answer [i.e., God is sovereignly righteous and just].  Why? Paul’s point is this: The focus of question is misdirected—it is not about “injustice” but “mercy”.

IS GOD UNJUST IN HIS SOVEREIGN CHOICE? 2)God is just also in choosing to give us what we deserve— which is judgment [“hardening”]. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (v.17)  The other side of election is REPROBATION—God’s rejection of the non-elect. However, reprobation is NOT symmetrical to election [= active vs. passive].  How? God doesn’t create unbelief or evil in anyone—God’s “hardening” is a passive act of God’s sovereign will (as opposed to the case on the elect).  Why is this not injustice? If we receive God’s judgment, it is because of our own sins, which is what we deserve.

JUSTICENON- JUSTICE MERCY INJUSTICE * R. C. Sproul [Chosen by God, p.38]

IS GOD UNJUST IN HIS SOVEREIGN CHOICE? 3)In all cases, God remains just and fair to all because God is sovereignly righteous and absolutely free in his will to bring glory to his name. 16So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy… 18So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. (vs.16,18)  The key to understanding this answer is to realize the absolute freedom of God’s sovereignty—that God owes nothing to anybody.  Whether it is mercy or hardening, in neither case is God unjust.  Sovereign God who is self-existent (“I AM THAT I AM”) is the absolute source of justice and fairness—God holds the sovereign right to do whatever he wills (vs.16-17).

9 "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' Matthew 20:9-12 [NIV] From Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard Workers:

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?‘ Matthew 20:13-15 [NIV] From Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard Workers:

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?‘ Matthew 20:13-15 [NIV] From Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard Workers:

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own [mercy]? Or are you envious because I am generous?‘ Matthew 20:13-15 [NIV] From Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard Workers:

BIBLICAL WISDOM CONCERNING GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION Avoid two dangerous extremes.  Avoid the mechanical, fatalistic view of unconditional election/predestination [= misguided-emphasis on God’s sovereignty].  Avoid the man-centered view of salvation [= misguided- emphasis on human free will]. Do NOT play God.  Do not assume others’ election or reprobation.  Do not evade the human responsibility in obedience for the gospel.

BIBLICAL WISDOM CONCERNING GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION Shift from a man-centered view of God to a God-centered view of God.  Sort out any man-centered ideas of God deviated from Scripture.  Embrace the sovereignty of God revealed in Scripture as the central thought. Keep this end in mind: Proclaim God’s glorious name in all the earth!  The end is not to argue or debate what is right view of election/predestination—it is to bring glory to his name (v.17).  Therefore, humbly surrender yourself to God’s sovereign grace as your reason for praise!

The Real Mystery The real mystery is not that everybody is not saved, but that anybody is saved—that is the mystery! God owes nothing to anybody, but if He chooses to do something with what is His own, should our eye be evil because He is good? God has a right to show mercy to whom He will; He has a right to have compassion upon whom He will; there is no ground for complaint whatsoever… And when you consider the way He 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 Calvary’s hill, your amazement and astonishment will be so great that far from asking questions about unrighteousness and injustice you will humble yourself before Him, “Lost in wonder, love and praise”! - D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Thank God for the ramifications [truths] of UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION OF GOD.  For God’s unconditional mercy regardless of your past sins.  For God’s freedom and sovereignty to save those who seem almost impossible to be saved in your own eyes.  For God’s trustworthiness and power to keep you eternally secure in salvation. 2.Learn to think and live by A GOD-CENTERED WORLD VIEW.  Know that your salvation/life is not about you—it’s about God; you are not the center nor the subject—God is!  Respond to God’s call to join in HIS sovereign purpose and plan for HIS glory.  Let God’s supremacy rule in every area of your life.