The sovereign God “decides who will believe and undeservingly be saved and who will rebel and deservingly perish.”
—John Piper, “How God Makes Known the Riches of His Glory to the Vessels of Mercy,” sermon on Rom 9:19–23 (February 16, 2003).
Andy Naselli
Thoughts on Theology
Hello Andy,
My favorite story regarding Romans 9, came from my Brother-in-Law.
Born and raised in a Southern Baptist home, he told me that as an adult he found an older Bible of his. In leafing through that old Bible, he noticed all kinds of markings he had made in the text while listening to various sermons from Pastors preaching through Paul’s letters. In particular he noticed he had many markings in Romans 8, then looking across the page he noticed Romans 9 mysteriously containing only the naked text, with none of his extra markings.
It was a glaring and revealing omission for him, having later in life been introduced to the wonderful teaching of God’s electing Grace and mercy in Romans 9. Upon finding grace amazing, he now was additionally amazed his previous pastors had decided to skip over preaching from Romans 9.
14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:14-16
Good News Indeed.
Grace really is amazing!