God's Mercy

Many of us who read these notes are well familiar with chapter 8. It is one of the most glorious chapters in the whole Bible. We are reminded of all that God has done for us in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and all that he continues to do and will do.

When we come to chapter 9, we're in unfamiliar territory. That's because chapters 5-8 can stand on their own as an account of what God has done for the Christian. But they're part of the larger purpose for which Paul wrote this letter. The church at Rome was predominantly Gentile but also comprised a number of Jews, who had possibly founded the church when they returned from Jerusalem after the Holy Spirit had been poured out. Exiled from Rome by the emperor Claudius, they were permitted to return when he died in 54 AD. There was hostility between them and the Gentiles over lifestyle issues like diet, and over theology as they claimed to be God's chosen people. How could they live together with Gentiles as one family?

Jewish/Gentile conflict isn't an issue in our churches today, and so Romans 9-11 is not so immediately applicable. But the issues raised here concern the fundamental justice of God.

Had God abandoned his promises when he invited Gentiles into his kingdom? Not at all, Paul argues. It is God's prerogative to choose who he wants and always has been, ever since the time of Abraham.

We want to shout, "Not fair!" Paul will explain all this in what follows.

Meanwhile, anyone reading this should be assured by what Jesus said: "Whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37). We should also remind ourselves of what Jesus said to the people on whom the Tower of Siloam fell: "do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luke 13:4-5). Not a single one of us has any "right" to God's mercy.

Respond in Prayer

Merciful Father, we praise you for your justice and your love and trust you even when we don't understand what you are doing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Wayne Baxter