Sovereign and Righteous God
Romans 9:14-18
Since God is righteous, God must elect according to his own freedom
Audio from the author
#election
#predestination
#sovereign
Published May 19th, 2016
Main point summary
Devotional thought
Notes
Arc
notes
Main point summary
Is there injustice with God in unconditional election? No Because election shows the glory of God!
Devotional thought
God's righteousness is never dependent on our finite view of righteousness. He doesn't have a book that will guide Him on how to be a righteous God. He is not constrained by anything or anyone except Himself. He is already righteous even before the foundation of the world. He didn't become righteous by protecting or upholding human freewill because we're not even created yet. He is already a loving God even before saving us. God was and is angry with sin even before the fall of the angels and man. Our righteousness must not be the standard by which we determine God's righteousness. Only God can define his righteousness, and that is through his word.
Notes
Paul gave the ground or reason as to why he can say that there is no injustice with God in unconditionally electing individuals before they've done anything good or bad. Exodus 33:19 and Exodus 9:16 shows God's unwavering allegiance to himself or God's intent of proclaiming his name or his glory, and Paul used that as an argument to support his assertion that there is no injustice or unrighteousness with God. In other words, if God is not free in electing whomever he wills, he is not upholding his glory, hence he will be unrighteous. Why? Because the very essence of sin is the falling short of the glory of God(Romans 3:23) and exchanging the glory of God(Romans 1:23). Therefore, if God is not free in election, then He exchange His own glory, and then it would be God's own undoing. Therefore God must be free!
Arc
NT
Romans 9:14-18
esv
mine
What shall we say then? w Is there injustice on God’s part?
The question of God's righteousness or justice was put into question because of His sovereign election
By no means!
Strongest form of denial in the greek language
For he says to Moses, x “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
His first argument was from Exodus 33:19.On the outset, it seems that this doesn't answer the question as to why is it that there is no injustice with God. It's like a restatement of the problem. But if you are to look into Exodus 33:19, take notice of the phrase "and will proclaim before you my name", this would be the 1st hint in showing us that there is no injustice on God's sovereign election.
So then it depends not on human will
Here's the conclusion of Paul from Exodus 33:19, negatively, it doesn't depend on human will(any act of the will)
or exertion, 1
or exertion or work
series
but on God, who has mercy .
but positively, solely on God. Literally in greek "mercy-ing God", because we don't have any English equivalent for the greek verb "ἐλεάω".
negativepositive
inference
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, y “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.”
His second argument was from Exodus 9:16, speaking of Pharaoh. Take note again of the phrase "that my name might be proclaimed". This is the 2nd hint. Same with v15
alternative
So then he has mercy on whomever he wills,
Therefore Paul's conclusion from Exodus 33:19 was God has mercy on whomever he wills
and he hardens whomever he wills.
and Exodus 9:16, alternatively , God hardens whomever he wills. Both the bestowing of mercy and hardening are in active voice. It means that God is the one doing the action.
ground
questionanswer
P aul gave the ground or reason as to why he can say that there is no injustice with God in unconditionally electing individuals before they've done anything good or bad. Exodus 33:19 and Exodus 9:16 shows God's unwavering allegiance to himself or God's intent of proclaiming his name or his glory, and Paul used that as an argument to support his assertion that there is no injustice or unrighteousness with God. In other words, if God is not free in electing whomever he wills, he is not upholding his glory, hence he will be unrighteous. Why? Because the very essence of sin is the falling short of the glory of God( Romans 3:23 ) and exchanging the glory of God( Romans 1:23 ). Therefore, if God is not free in election, then He exchange His own glory, and then it would be God's own undoing. Therefore God must be free!
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Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.