The Stumbling Stone

Romans 9:19-33

Man has always found God offensive.

Offensive, might not be the right word. However, we just do not get along with God.

For example, what was so hard about not eating the fruit in the Garden?

I mean, really, out of all the different fruit available, would it have been so hard to just leave one of the varieties alone?

Okay, let’s think about this for just a minute. God made the Garden. God planted the Garden. Therefore, it was His garden to do with as He pleased. So, He decided to give it to the man and the woman with only one tiny condition attached. Oh, and by the way, He also made the man and the woman; so, they were technically His as well. Anyway, God decided to give them the Garden with His condition.

That condition was a stumbling stone, a rock of offense. Not literally! I do not mean the fruit was a stone. I mean that the man and the woman tripped over this one tiny condition God had set on their ownership of the Garden. They were “offended.”

The Bible tells us that the serpent tempted the woman by telling her that by eating the fruit she would become like God, knowing good and evil. All they knew up to that point was good, and the serpent failed to tell them that knowing evil is not such a great thing. Perhaps, it was the lure of knowing something they did not yet know. Or, perhaps it was the lure of adventure, new experiences and having something they did not have. But, whatever the reason, the man and the woman tripped over this one condition.

We are their descendants. If they had lived with the tiny provision God made and not eaten the fruit, we would be living in the Garden. However, we are not living in the Garden, and we, their descendants, are always stumbling over the conditions God gives us. He said, “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.” The conditions God requires of us are summed up in two statements:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

We, as in humanity, have a hard time with these conditions. These rules, commands or requirements offend us, we chafe at being told what to do. Psalms 2 quotes humanity as saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” (Psalms 2:3, ESV) The ultimate offense or stone of stumbling came in a person, the person of Jesus Christ. While Jesus came to satisfy the conditions that God set, He became the focus of all the hostility of humanity toward God.

In the person of Jesus Christ, more is at stake than the Garden. The stakes are eternal life and heaven. Everybody wants to get into heaven, but few want to meet God’s conditions. Therefore, we find fault with God’s conditions.

Romans 9:19-33 speaks to this issue. The conclusion is given in verse 33, which says:

"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." (Romans 9:33 ESV)

Verses 19-32 bring us to this conclusion by taking us through three ways in which we stumble in relation to God. These three ways are:

1.       God’s power

2.       God’s ways

3.       God’s plan

First, we stumble or are offended because of God’s power.

We see God’s power discussed in verses 19-24.

In verses 14-18, leading up to this discussion of God’s power, Paul has been speaking of God’s sovereignty. His conclusion was:

So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. (Romans 9:18 ESV)

Therefore, the response he anticipates is:

You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" (Romans 9:19 ESV)

This response reflects the response of the man and the woman in the Garden. When God asked if the man ate the fruit the man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12, ESV) Not only does this statement put the blame on the woman, it points the finger at God by saying, “You gave the woman to be with me.”

The first thing Paul does in response to putting the blame for our sin on God is to point out the absurdity of our challenge to God. He says:

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21 ESV)

This illustration of the right of the potter over the clay is used a number of times in Scripture to illustrate God’s power. The normal human response to having our sin pointed out is to say, “God made me like this!” God’s power, authority or sovereignty is offensive to us.

Job made a similar complaint against God when he asked why God found fault with him, and he received a similar response from God. God basically said, “Job, you do not know what you are talking about.”

When we try to understand how God is absolutely sovereign and yet we have free will and must make choices, we run up against the offense of God’s power. We come up against the question, “Who are you, O Man, to answer back to God?” However, it is not as though God has not given us insight into how He works. In speaking of the right of the potter over the clay, in another place He says:

"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.” (Jeremiah 18:6-10 ESV)

Here we see an illustration of our ability to make a choice to either rebel against God’s power or repent and live according to the conditions God has set. Saying “God made me like this” is never sufficient as an excuse. We are still responsible for our choices.

However, God is not out to “get” us. His power need not be a stumbling stone. Notice that Romans 9:22 says He “endures with much patience” those who are prepared for wrath. And then, it says He does this “in order to make known the riches of his glory.” In other words, God uses His power to bring grace to us. He is preparing us for glory as it says in Romans 9:23-24.

God is preparing us for glory as a potter shapes clay. We stumble over His power to do this. We also stumble over His way.

God does not do things the way we do. We see this in Romans 9:25-29.

Humanity divides itself into tribes, groups and nations. We are all descended from one man and one woman, but we talk about races. We look out for and fight for the interests of our tribe, group or nation. This is the way we do things.

God chose the nation of Israel and they are known as His people. Therefore, their assumption was that God was like us. Since they were God’s people, naturally God would fight for their interests and they would all be saved. However, God purposed to save people from every language and nation through the nation of Israel. This is God’s way. He works with a purpose to save anyone who will come to Him regardless of tribe, group or nation. This is a stumbling stone for humanity.

”God is for our tribe.”

According to Romans 9:25-26, God promised to call people His people who were once told they were not His people. This is exactly what He has done by creating the Church. The Church is made up of people from every language and nation. God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:11) He does things His way. We rebel against this and do things our way. We gather in our tribe or group and say, “We are the right ones.” But, God says through the prophet Isaiah:

And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah." (Romans 9:29 ESV)

As Romans 9:28 says, the Lord will carry out His sentence, or have His way, on the earth, and this will be done fully, completely, and it also will not be delayed.  If the Lord did not intervene and in His mercy and grace save some of us, we would all end up in hell, along with our tribe, group or nation, in spite of the fact that we convince ourselves that “We are the right ones.”

God is the judge, not us. In Psalm 50:21, He addresses this issue in another way when He says:

These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. (Psalms 50:21 ESV)

In this, we see the charge that we think that God is like us. This is why God’s way is a stumbling stone for us. He is not like us. One more way in which we stumble is because of God’s plan.

In the Garden, when the man and the woman ate the fruit they were not supposed to eat, God made this statement:

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15 ESV)

This statement was made to the serpent, and it reveals a small piece of God’s wonderful plan, the offspring of the woman.

We started with the typical response of man to God’s power:

Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will? (Romans 9:19)

In Romans 9:30, we come to another question:

What shall we say then?

This is kind of like saying, “What’s the use?” If God’s power is unassailable and His way is inscrutable, how then can we be right with God?

What is said next is so important that we should include it here in full.

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone... (Romans 9:30-32 ESV)

God’s plan has always been to save those who call upon Him and come to Him in faith.

We believe we have to do something, but we are unwilling to let God in His power and His way do something in us. There is a big difference. To us, it looks the same in holiness of life and in self-control and discipline, but it is not the same. The Scripture is clear here and in every place, righteousness is by faith.

In Romans 10:12-13, it says:

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12-13 ESV

The key, the answer and the stumbling stone are found in the person of Jesus Christ. He was the Word that was in the beginning with God. He is the One who was both God and with God and through whom all things were created. He was the plan of God from the beginning and He is the stumbling stone that men and women either accept and are saved or reject and are destroyed.

Do not stumble over God’s power. He is sovereign over His creation. He does whatsoever He pleases.

Do not stumble over God’s way. He is not like us. He is holy, righteous and just.

Do not stumble over God’s plan. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Do not make the same mistake that the majority of the Israelites made and are making even now by rejecting their Messiah because He does not fit into how they think He should be. Come in faith to receive from Him the gift of righteousness that comes by faith.

Mercy

Romans 9:1-18

Do you have family members who are not believers?

Maybe you are the one in your family who is not a believer.

The message of salvation has been clearly presented, everywhere. The simple message of the Gospel is as follows. Each one of us is separated from God because of our sin. However, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, took our sins upon Himself and died in our place. Because of His great love and sacrifice, if we accept Jesus as our Savior, our sins are forgiven and we enjoy the promise of eternal life.

As simple as this message is, many reject this offer of salvation. When it is a family member, it is painful. As family members, we mourn for those who do not believe. The Apostle Paul speaks of this pain in chapter 9 of his letter to the Romans. He says:

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (Romans 9:1-3 ESV)

Let’s focus on what Paul calls “great sorrow and unceasing anguish.” We see in this Paul’s heart as a believer. Of course, we know he was a true believer because he was willing to die for his beliefs. However, beyond his willingness to die, he bent every effort of his life to preaching the gospel. Stoned, imprisoned, shipwrecked and beaten; he proved his complete devotion. Hardship did not stop him. In Romans 9:1-3, we see the love that motivated such devotion. His love is so great that he was willing to be accursed and lost for eternity for the sake of his kinsmen. He believed that those who did not believe were lost and therefore his heart was broken on their behalf.

The truth of our salvation from eternal lostness causes us to love God. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” In addition, the truth of the lostness of humanity motivates us to preach the Gospel. Great sorrow and unceasing anguish of heart come because we believe that others are lost. How does your heart respond to John 3:36?

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)

My heart rejoices at the realization that because of my faith in Jesus Christ I have eternal life, but does it grieve for those who will not see life? Do I mourn for those upon whom the wrath of God remains?

The scary truth of the Gospel is that many are lost.

However, consider all that God does for the sake of the lost.

Let’s start with Israel, Paul’s kinsmen according to the flesh. In Romans 9:4-5, he says:

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:4-5 ESV)

Look at all that Paul recites as having been done by God on behalf of his kinsmen. They were adopted as God’s children. They had the visible presence of God with them in the wilderness and in the temple (the glory). They had the covenants that God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. They were the descendants of these men. And, what is more, the Messiah was given through them.  All of these blessings were theirs, and yet most of them remained lost.

The same can be said of many of our family, friends and neighbors. The Gospel is preached everywhere. The Bible is available everywhere. The Gospel is preached so pervasively that many are offended and tired of hearing it.

This brings us to a question. Has the Word of God failed?

This question comes up because not all are saved. If Jesus died to save the world, why are not all the people in the world saved?

Paul makes a statement in Romans 9:6.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed.

He anticipates the question, “Has the Word of God failed?” God has done so much so surely something must have gone wrong. However, Paul takes us through the purpose of God as seen in the promises of God to help us understand what is happening.

First, he shows us that not every person descended from the person Jacob was necessarily a part of the nation of Israel. He says, “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel...” He then uses a parallel example of Abraham, saying, “...and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring...” (Romans 9:7) 

The Word of God had not failed because God’s purpose had never been to save every descendant of Abraham or every descendant of Israel. With Abraham, we have the example of Ishmael and Isaac, and with Isaac we have the example of Jacob and Esau. Paul zeros in on the example of Jacob and Esau and how God chose Jacob before they were born. The Scriptures say they “...had done nothing either good or bad” when God made His choice (Romans 9:11). The reason God made this choice is given in the same verse. It says, “...in order that God’s purpose of election might continue.”

At this point, it will be helpful if we consider what God’s purpose of election was. What was God’s purpose? We must remember God’s promise to Abraham. God told Abraham:

“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3 ESV)

According to this promise, God’s purpose was to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham. From our current place in history, we know that this was accomplished through the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The lineage of Jesus is given in Matthew and Luke. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham through Isaac, Jacob, David and many others. This was God’s purpose of election that needed to continue, and it is why we can be assured that the Word of God has not failed.

So, we see that God’s purpose was to bring a Savior into the world and this purpose was accomplished through the descendants of Israel, and therefore the Word of God has not failed. However, this raises another question.

Is God unjust?

He chose Jacob, and therefore did not choose Esau. The Scriptures do not shy away from the question of fairness. The Scriptures take us to a statement that God made to Moses. Romans 9:15 says:

For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (Romans 9:15 ESV)

The question of fairness then is an issue of mercy. Let’s consider it from this angle.

Who among us deserves to be saved?

Who among us deserves to be in heaven?

We began by considering the fact that not everyone is saved. The other side of this fact is that every one of us is lost. We are all sinners. The Bible attests to this fact and we all know it in our hearts. Our consciences condemn us in regard to our faults and shortcomings. We know we are not perfect.

Pharaoh stands in as our example. Pharaoh was lost. Pharaoh opposed God, and we know it does not get any worse than that. We know instinctively that to oppose God is bad, and yet we do it anyway. The Bible says, “There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18) Pharaoh is a good example of this. God told Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” And, Pharaoh said, “NO!” God gave Pharaoh ten chances to repent, and each time Pharaoh said, “NO!”

About this, the Scriptures say:

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." (Romans 9:17 ESV)

Pharaoh’s rebellion did not upset God’s plan, and neither does yours or mine.

The worst rebellion that we ever perpetrated was when we crucified the Son of God. This is what the Scriptures say:

...this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Acts 2:23 ESV)

The worst that we ever did went according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.

God is absolutely sovereign. By this I mean that He does what He wants, when He wants and how He wants. He even numbers our days before there is yet one of them. (Psalm 139:16) Not one of us is saved unless the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see the truth. John 6:44 tells us that no one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him.

In these matters, we enter in to a realm that it is best if we tread reverently. Pharaoh chose to rebel against God. In some places, it says Pharaoh hardened his heart (Exodus 8:15, 32, 1 Samuel 6:6). And, in other places, it says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Which is it? It is both. This is why the Scripture teaches both. In Pharaoh, we have an example of how the grace and patience of God allows a person to harden his or her heart. Since punishment is withheld or withdrawn, a person tends to think he has gotten away with his rebellion. Therefore, hardening his heart, he persists in further rebellion.

We started out asking why everyone is not saved. With the question we are looking at, we would be better asking why anyone is saved. We all, like Pharaoh, harden our hearts. With each opportunity to repent, we get a little harder. We harden our hearts until our hearts are like stone.

Why is anyone saved?

This passage has the answer. It is because of God’s mercy.

Only because of God’s mercy is anyone saved. Romans 9:16 says:

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Romans 9:16 ESV)

Salvation is never the result of our effort. Salvation always comes as a result of God’s mercy.

Lamentations 3:21 says:

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22 KJV)

The miracle is that any one of us is saved.

When Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, He said:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37 ESV)

Notice He says, “...you were not willing!”

We know from Scripture that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13) The question for each one of us is: “Are you willing?”

God warns us:

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,” (Hebrews 3:7-8 ESV)

If we ask, God is willing to save us. He pleads for us to come to him. Even Pharaoh was given ten chances to repent and he refused. In all his hardness, determination, power and position, Pharaoh did not manage to upset or change God’s purpose and plan. Why should we resist God? Why would we harden our hearts against God? Pharaoh resisted because he wanted to keep his slaves, he wanted to keep his power and he did not respect God. Why do you resist God? He offers His mercy. He sent His Son. He let you read this message today. He has preserved your life to this day, and I do not know how many chances He has given you. Is it ten chances like He gave Pharaoh, or is it more? God is extending His hand of mercy to you right now. Will you not reach out and take it?

Overcomers

Romans 8:31-39

 “What then shall we say to these things?” (Romans 8:31, ESV)

Up to this point, the book of Romans has been speaking of the great salvation God has worked on our behalf. Starting with the fact that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, the book has explained how we are justified by faith. From justification by faith, the book moved into an explanation of how we are made holy by the sanctifying work of God in our lives.

Romans 8:28-30 shows us that God works in all things to shape us into the image of His Son and ultimately to glorify us.

This question, “What then shall we say to these things?” is a triumphant exclamation as we reflect on the tremendous grace and love that God has poured out on us. 

We are overcomers! 

Romans 8:37 says:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 ESV

Romans 8:37 describes us as “more than conquerors!” In other words, we are completely and overwhelmingly victorious. Romans 8:31-39 answers the question, “What shall we say to these things?” by showing how we are victorious. We will look at three different statements related to our victory. First, we will see that we are overcomers because God is for us. Second, we will see that we are overcomers because Jesus intercedes for us. And, finally, we will see that we are overcomers because God loves us.

First, let’s consider the statement that we are overcomers because God is for us. We find this statement in Romans 8:31-33.

These verses show us two facts by which we know God is for us. We know God is for us because He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. In addition, God justifies us. In order to understand these two facts, we must first consider what it means to say, “God is for us.”

What do we mean when we say, “God is for us?”

Two challenges to God’s goodness and support of us are presented for our consideration in the text. First, we see the challenge to God’s providence. We often feel as if we do not have enough, for example, enough strength or enough money. How much is enough? Since we are all here, alive, clothed and fed, I am not going to spend much time on this. In addition, I want to spend more time on the second challenge to God’s goodness and support of us. The second challenge concerns charges that are often brought against us.

Do you ever react defensively when asked, “Why did you _______?” (You fill in the blank. It can be something as innocuous as “Why did you not take out the trash?” or as bad as “Why did you beat your spouse?” Notice that each of these includes an accusation.) The question “Why did you ______, assumes the guilt and seeks an explanation. Therefore, it comes across as an accusation. We answer the “why question” frequently both to those close to us and within our own conscience. As Romans 2:15 says, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them...” (Romans 2:15 ESV) In this verse, we see that our conflicting thoughts both accuse and excuse us. These accusations represent one form of charges brought against us. When we compare ourselves to the perfect standard of God’s righteous law, we all find that we do not measure up to the perfect standard. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Not only do our own consciences accuse us, in addition, we face constant accusations from the one known as the “accuser of the brethren.” Revelation 12:10 says that he accuses us before the Father day and night.

Job is an example of charges brought against a man of God. First, Satan accused Job before God, and then three of Job’s friends took turns accusing Job. Satan accuses each of us, and we all have people in our lives who, like Job’s friends, remind us of our faults.

But, God has declared us righteous. Romans 8:33 says:

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:33 ESV)

God has declared that we are right with Him. So, not one of the charges brought against us can stick. This reminds us of the start of the eighth chapter where it says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

This is what it means to say, “God is for us.” First, He provides for all of our needs and second He has declared us righteous. Truly, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Because of this, we are overcomers.

Another statement that shows we are victorious is:

We are overcomers because Jesus intercedes for us.

The intercession of Jesus helps us in two things that the text points out. First, the intercession of Jesus helps us in regard to condemnation, and, second, the intercession of Jesus helps us in regard to hardship.

First, let’s look at how Jesus’s intercession helps us in regard to condemnation. After asking who will bring a charge against us, the text asks, “Who is to condemn?” Condemnation is taking the accusation to the next step and passing sentence on us. In other words, a charge is brought before the judge and the judge passes sentence. 

Who is our judge?

Be careful! We are not fit to judge ourselves, not because we are biased, but because God is the judge. Scriptures teach us through the Apostle Paul that we are not fit to judge ourselves. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 says:

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV)

Here, it is clear, as the Apostle says; he does not even judge himself. All judgment is in the hands of the Lord. The Lord is our judge.

We have no right to condemn or pass summary judgement on any person. James 4:11-12 says:

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12 ESV)

While the Scripture makes it clear that only God is the judge, we take it upon ourselves to judge ourselves. We condemn ourselves. We do not live up to the standard we have set for ourselves and therefore we condemn ourselves. We pass judgment on ourselves and live with a load of shame and guilt, and we will even punish ourselves.

What is more, the world around us reinforces this judgment. Whether the people around us condemn us or not, we feel condemned. The devil, the accuser of the brethren, specializes in condemning us. 

Two things about Jesus take care of this. First, He died for us. In other words, the penalty has already been paid. Whatever the judgment against us, whatever the fine, it has been paid. Colossians 2:14 explains how our penalty has been paid when it says:

...by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14 ESV)

Not only did Jesus pay our debt, canceling the judgment against us, but He also intercedes for us. He sits in the place of honor at the right hand of the judge and says, “Father, you can dismiss this charge. I paid for it.”

Jesus’s intercession for us helps in the charges that the devil levels against us, and, in addition, Jesus’s intercession helps us in hardship.

The text asks a question:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." (Romans 8:35-36 ESV)

This passage reflects how we are treated in this world. We experience many things that seem to us to indicate that God does not care or He is powerless to save us. We suffer, loved ones suffer and we all face death. We are tempted to doubt, which the devil would love for us to doubt. James 1:6-7 tells us:

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (James 1:6-7 ESV)

The world lies in the power of the evil one. He is called the prince and power of the air. He is the spirit that is at work in the unbelieving. He is the enemy of our souls. While we are in this world, we suffer the consequences of sin along with all of humanity. Sickness, disease and death are in the world because of sin and although we are saved, forgiven, sanctified and cleansed, we suffer the general consequences of sin. We look forward to the day when we are glorified with Christ and have bodies that are free from all consequences and effects of sin. 

In the meantime, as God’s children, we must understand that trials come as training and discipline to strengthen our faith and cause us to grow. Jesus is our example. Even Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered. Hebrews 5:8 tells us:

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8 ESV)

God is not insensitive to our suffering. Although we do not know the reasons, we can trust in His love for us. This is where Romans 8 takes us when it asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Jesus demonstrated His great love for us by dying in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. We can trust such great love, even in this world where we are killed all day long. Jesus, who has suffered as we suffer and who has lived in the world with the same enemy we have, understands our suffering and intercedes for us.

Because of Jesus’s intercession on our behalf, we are overcomers.

We have seen that because God is for us, we are overcomers, and because Jesus intercedes for us, we are overcomers. Now, in conclusion, we will consider that because God loves us we are overcomers.

The text says:

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

Is not our greatest fear death?

Is not our greatest challenge life?

Are not angels and rulers greater than we are?

Can we control or predict the future?

Can we reach the stars?

Can we reach the center of the earth?

Even if we conquer some or all of these things, there will always be something greater than ourselves, something over which we have no dominion, power or control. However, God is greater than all things. God is over all dominions and greater than all powers. There is a truth expressed in Job 34:14-15 that I love. Job 34:14-15 speaks of God’s power when it says:

If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. (Job 34:14-15 ESV)

Another version of this is found in Lamentations 3:22.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22 KJV)

God’s love never fails. God’s love never changes. As Romans 8:32 says:

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32 ESV)

Why do we value the things of this world more than God? Why do we waste our time on things destined to perish? Seek God and His kingdom first and trust Him to add all things that you need. What treasure can you possibly gain that is greater than the love of God?

All who love God are more than overcomers through Christ Jesus who loves us. We have overcome sin, death, the grave, the world and the devil. We celebrate our victory in Christ. We are overcomers!

Predestined

Romans 8:28-30

What is God’s purpose for your life?

Do you know?

What is keeping you from pursuing God’s purpose for your life?

In Romans 8:28-30, God gives a synopsis of His purpose in each of our lives. As we look at these verses, we will see how He works in all things for our good. This passage uses words like “called,” “foreknew” and “predestined;” therefore, we will take some time to try to understand these words in the context of God’s purpose for our lives.

Romans 8:28 is often quoted for its magnificent promise that God causes all things to work together for good. The full text of the verse is:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

From this verse, we see that the promise is for those who are called according to His purpose.

The first thing we will look at concerning God’s purpose for our lives is His calling. What does it mean to be called according to His purpose?

First, we will consider the word “called.”

In Romans 8:28, the Greek word Paul uses is “κλητοῖς” (kletois), and it means called or summoned and it is also used of invitations. In the Bible, we have a number of examples of people who were called by God. Abraham was called by God to be the Father of those of like faith. Moses was called by God to lead God’s people out of Egypt. David was called by God to be the king of Israel. The Apostles were called by God to establish the Church. Each of these people was selected for a special task and for a special time. Paul speaks of himself as being “set apart” for the gospel (Romans 1:1). We see in these examples God’s call for a special purpose.

In other places, the Bible speaks in terms of an invitation. In His story of the King who gave a banquet, Jesus spoke of those who were invited to the banquet and used the word “called.” He concluded by saying, “Many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14, ESV) This shows the call as an invitation. As an invitation, the call has gone out into the entire world for all people everywhere to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. Everyone is invited to come to Jesus for salvation. However, not everyone is called to be a Moses or a prophet or an Apostle. Therefore, it is important to distinguish what kind of calling we are talking about, an invitation or a calling for a purpose.

In his introduction to the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul says, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints ...” (1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV) In this case, the believers in Jesus Christ gathered at Corinth are said to be “called to be saints.” In the book of Ephesians, believers are encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. (Ephesians 4:1) From the example in 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, we can conclude that all believers in Jesus Christ have received a calling to be saints, or for a purpose.

If you are not yet a believer, God is calling you to be saved. This is an invitation. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7:37-38 ESV)

If you are a believer, God is calling you with a purpose, to be a saint. In Romans 8:29 the purpose is stated: “...to be conformed to the image of his Son...”

Could a misunderstanding of this calling be what is holding you back from pursuing God’s purpose for your life? Have you realized that this is His calling and purpose in your life?

For each person, this purpose will be worked out in different ways. In other words, each of us is in a different set of circumstances at any given time. In order to understand this, we need to consider the word predestined and what it means.

Romans 8:29 says:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29 ESV)

The first thing we see in this verse is that those He foreknew, He also predestined. This is hard to understand in the sense that God knows everything and He knows everybody. However, Scripture makes it clear that not everyone will be saved. Therefore, this foreknowledge shows that it is somehow related to the predestination and goes beyond the knowledge of facts or details. Relationship is also referred to as “knowledge.” There is much Scriptural evidence for God establishing His relationship with His people before they are born. Psalm 139 is a good example where it says:

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:16 ESV)

Another example is God’s calling of Jeremiah as a prophet. In Jeremiah 1:5, He says:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV)

God knew Jeremiah in the sense of relationship. God knows every fact and detail about every person. However, He is implying knowledge that goes beyond the details of Jeremiah’s existence. Therefore, we can assume He is talking about relationship. We find this knowledge of relationship in the New Testament when it says:

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. (1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV)

This relationship is decided beforehand by God. The Greek word used in Romans 8:29 for “predestined” is “προώρισεν” (prohorisen). “προώρισεν” is made up of two words: “pro” which means “before,” and “horizo” which means to set boundaries or limits. Therefore, it is translated to foreordain or predetermine.

According to Romans 8:29, what God has predetermined for those whom He foreknew is that they should be conformed to the image of His Son. This is why we know, as Romans 8:28 tells us, that God causes everything to work together for our good.

If we consider the life of Moses as an example, we will see that he did not receive his special calling until He was 80 years old. However, God was at work in Moses’ circumstances and life from before he was born. Moses was called according to God’s purpose; therefore, God worked in his circumstances.

Predestination is a topic that has not been agreed upon since before Jesus was born. As a teaching and as a subject, predestination has a long history. Controversy usually centers on the subject of free will.

Do we have a choice?

The Bible ends with an invitation. It says:

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17 ESV)

This invitation is for anyone who desires to come. In Joshua 24:15 it says:

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 ESV)

In this verse, there is a clear call for the people to make a choice.

Here again, let’s use Moses as an example. He was called by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He was used by God to give the Law, and yet he was not able to enter into the Promised Land because he chose to disobey God.

We are called upon to choose, we have choices to make and we are held responsible for our choices. We should not think that predestination and free will are mutually exclusive. Although we cannot explain or understand how this works, the Scriptures teach both.

Trying to force the either/or can be a source of error. For example, we cannot say God is either One or He is Three. He is both One and Three. Another example is the person of Christ. We cannot say He is either God or man. He is both God and man.

In Philippians, we have two verses that seem to teach opposites right next to each other. Philippians 2:12-13 says:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

Here in these verses we are instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling for the very reason that it is God who works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. An either/or mentality will not work here. This calls for a both/and approach.

In Romans 8:29, it says that God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. This comes in a chapter that calls on us to walk by the Spirit so that we can put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13), and it comes right after a verse that tells us the Spirit helps us to pray according to God’s will. In other words, this was written to give us hope and courage in a world that is under the control of our enemy and in which we suffer. God’s predestination of us should give us courage to pursue God’s purpose for our lives.

What is keeping you from pursuing God’s purpose for your life? Look at the certainty with which Romans 8:30 speaks of our future.

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30 ESV)

Romans 8:18 says that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us, and here in verse 30 it speaks of those glories as if they already are revealed in us.

Scriptures contain much instruction for us to be holy as God is holy, to be imitators of God as beloved children and to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. However, we are not saved by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to God’s mercy.

God’s purpose is for us to be conformed to the image of His Son, but this is worked out in different circumstances for each one of us. Sometimes our circumstances are hard to understand and at times our way lies through paths of suffering. This is why God gives us the encouragement that He works all things together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. In light of God’s purpose, the knowledge of God’s predestination is there so that we can have courage and never give up hope.

Jesus serves as an example of this. Isaiah 53 speaks in the past tense while it prophesies of things that were at the time in the future. This is because as Acts 4:28 says, God had determined beforehand that these things should happen. It was confidence in the Father’s plan that gave Jesus the courage and the strength to go through the Garden of Gethsemane. Confidence in God’s purpose and plan for us will give us the courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Perhaps this is what has been holding us back from pursuing God’s purpose for our lives, a lack of courage because our faith is weak. Each person must answer what is holding him or her back. God has given us each the confidence that we need to courageously pursue His purpose for our lives.

The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness

Romans 8:26-27

²⁶Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27, ESV)

“Likewise,” means in the same way.

In the same way as what?

Our salvation is great and glorious. The God of the universe, creator of all things, because of His great love for us, has given His only begotten Son, in order to both pay for our transgressions and to give us eternal life. In addition, He has given us His Holy Spirit, so that the very power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us. By the power of this Spirit and because of His grace, He has freed us from the law of sin and death. As a result, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Although we enjoy this great salvation, we are not yet perfect. In other words, we still sin, we still have diseases and this physical body will die. Romans 8:23 explains:

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23 ESV)

Why do we groan inwardly? In order to understand that, we must look back to Romans 8:20, where it says the entire created order was subjected to futility, and we are part of creation. It is as part of creation that we experience pain, suffering, disease and death. Therefore, we wait; we eagerly wait for the completion of our salvation when all things will be made new. A new body, a new heaven and a new earth are all part of our great and glorious salvation. Since we do not yet enjoy these new things, we wait in eager anticipation, and we groan inwardly as part of a creation that has been subjected to futility.

In our groaning, the Spirit helps us. Throughout the eighth chapter of Romans, we see the Holy Spirit at work. In Romans 8:2, the law of the Spirit sets us free. In Romans 8:11, the Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead dwells within us. In Romans 8:15, He is called the Spirit of adoption by which we call out “Abba! Father!” We have received the “firstfruits” of the Spirit, and the Spirit gives a foretaste of what is to come.

When Romans 8:26 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness,” it is pointing out that in the same way the Spirit helps us in all things, He helps us in our weakness. Now, we need to look at what is meant by the word help and the word weakness.

First, it is encouraging to look at the word used for help in Romans 8:26. The actual word is “συναντιλαμβάνεται” (sunantilambanetai) here is the definition:

properly, to give assistance with full initiative because closely-identified – supplying help that exactly corresponds to the need.

[Note the prefixes: /sýn ("closely identified with") and /antí ("corresponding") which each nuance the root (/lambánō, "aggressively lay hold of").^[1]

This word occurs only twice in the New Testament, and looking at its other occurrence will help us to understand its meaning. In Luke 10, it is used in the story of Mary and Martha. When Jesus visited their home, Martha busied herself with preparations for a big meal. Martha was greatly troubled with much to do. While Martha was frantically working, Mary was placidly sitting at Jesus’ feet listening. Martha went to Jesus and said, “Master, tell my sister to come beside me, take hold of some of the work and help carry the load!”

That is what this word means, and that is what the Holy Spirit does for us. He comes beside us and takes hold of the load with us and gives help. However, this is not all the Holy Spirit does for us. As I have already pointed out, the Holy Spirit does many things for us and in us. In John 3, we learn that it is by the Holy Spirit that we are reborn. In John 16, we learn that the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and the coming judgment. In the Epistles, we learn that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ.

When Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit in John 16, He said:

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7 ESV)

The word that Jesus uses in this instance is a completely different word from the word we looked at from Romans 8:26. The word translated “Helper” or “Comforter” in John 16:7 is “Παράκλητος” (parakletos) and means helper in the sense of counselor or lawyer. Therefore, along with helping carry the load, He is our comforter, our counselor and our teacher.

In addition, Romans 8:26 says, “...helps us in our weakness.” What is meant by this word “weakness?” The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8 begins by explaining that the law could not save us because of the weakness of our flesh. It continues by telling us that living according to the flesh leads to death. The flesh is weak. Verse 18 speaks of our suffering. Suffering points out our weakness. We are powerless in the face of age that slowly erodes our strength and diseases that afflict us. We are powerless in the face of sin and unable to save ourselves. In all these things, the Holy Spirit helps us. Romans 8:26 defines our weakness as “For we do not know how to pray as we ought.”

This is our weakness in a nutshell. We do not know how to pray as we ought. There is a proper way to pray. But, it is not in form. It is not in memorized prayers. It is not in posture. The way to pray is reflected in the end of verse 27 that says, “... the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” The Spirit prays as we ought to pray and that is according to the will of God.

Jesus told us to pray like this:

Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

Jesus tells us to pray for God’s will to be done. Here is where we need to have confidence in God, because we need to know that God is good. We can trust Him. Romans 8:28 takes us here when it says:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

This verse assures us that God is at work for our good.

Prayer is the means by which we express our requests and desires to God. When I was a child there was a day, I mean literally a day, that I prayed earnestly for a pet monkey. Now, as an adult, I am glad for the monkey’s sake and for mine that I did not get the monkey. I did not know what was good for me nor did I understand the implications of my request. This is an obvious example of a childish and foolish request. Many requests that we make are neither childish nor foolish. We pray for many serious things. We pray for life and death matters. We pray for healing of a loved one. We pray for financial situations and family problems. Our weakness is that we do not know what we need in each of these situations. We know what we want. We have many fears and anxieties, and we may think we know what is best. However, we are weak. God says:

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)

God always works for our good. However, what I think I need may not be good from God’s perspective. He knows all things. He knows the end from the beginning. Therefore, only He knows what is truly for our good. Our weakness is that not only do we not know all things, but our flesh also deceives us and we ask for selfish or self-centered things, or we ask with wrong motives. This is where the Holy Spirit helps us. This is why the text says, “... the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26, ESV) His groaning implies that He feels the pain and the urgency of our situation. He is not insensitive to the pressures and strains we feel.

What is more, the text says the Holy Spirit’s groanings are too deep for words. Have you ever felt like no one understands, cares or knows what you are going through? We are often trapped into feeling alone, but this is a trick of the devil. A believer in Christ is never alone. We all have deep emotions that go beyond our ability to express or put into words. The Spirit intercedes for us based on our deepest needs.

Romans 8:27 says:

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27 ESV)

This phrase “he who searches hearts” refers to God. Psalm 139 speaks of God searching our hearts when it says:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. (Psalms 139:1-4 ESV)

God the Holy Spirit knows our thoughts and what we are going to say before we say it. He knows our deepest thoughts, desires and concerns. He knows what we truly need. It is this intimate knowledge of our inner working that is the basis for His deep intercession for us.

God is working for our good. This is why James 1:2-4 says:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)

God is working so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that Romans 8:28 is saying that all things are good. In this fallen, sinful world, many bad and evil things happen and exist. And, do not make the mistake of thinking that Romans 8:28 promises good to everyone. The text explicitly says that God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

The key is to understand that when we accept Jesus as our Savior we are given the right to be children of God. We are His children. As His children, we are confident that God works at all times and in all circumstances for our good, not just what seems good to us but for our true good. A passage similar to James 1:2-4 is Hebrews 12:5-8.

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8 ESV)

In everything that happens, God treats us as His children. He desires that we grow up in Him and become mature and complete. Part of the meaning of working all things for our good is His discipline and training of us.

All who accept Jesus Christ as Savior are partakers in a great and glorious salvation. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and helps us in our weakness, interceding for us because we do not know how we should pray. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, let this be your confidence and hope. Do not be shaken by trials, troubles and uncertainty. It is this confidence that will allow you to face various trials with joy, not a “yippee this is fun” joy but a confident settled hope in the Lord.

Commit this verse to memory in whichever version you choose:

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6 KJV)

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^[1] http://biblehub.com/greek/4878.htm. Accessed July 11, 2018.