Introduction:
There are certain topics known as “hot button topics.” These can be defined as a controversial subject or issue that is likely to arouse strong emotions. In the church the subject of predestination can be classified as one of these. In fact, predestination has prompted many heated theological debates. The debates have resulted in fractures within the body of Christ as new movements have been birthed as a result of the strong emotions that come along with this “hot button topic.” The topic of predestination has been misunderstood and erroneously explained down through the ages. These debates have failed to result in any significant light being shed on this topic. Our goal today is to take a fresh look at the concept of predestination and work to strip away many of the human opinions to see what God’s Word has to say about this topic. Our stop today is in the most significant passage that deals with this topic, Romans chapter 9. Paul dives head first into the icy waters of predestination. While he will not answer all the questions we may have, we will discover some important concepts that will help us grow in our understanding of this topic. We need to set a couple of ground rules before we tackle this passage. Approach the passage with an open mind and be willing to change your view if need be. So if you’re ready let’s begin our journey through Romans 9.
I. The issues that prompt Paul to approach the topic of predestination.
A. Paul chooses to begin this passage on a very personal note.
1. Paul established the fact that what he is about to say is true and can be taken to heart.
2. Verses 1 and 2 are one sentence in the Greek, in reality Paul is saying that what He is saying is the truth, he will not lie because he belongs to Christ.
3. The sorrow that Paul has over his own people was overwhelming. His lament over his people is a common form found in Jewish apocalyptic literature especially in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem.
4. The bottom line was that the whole reason for the Jewish nation to exist was to be a blessing to all the nations of the world. However, they have chosen to reject the Messiah that made it possible for this purpose to be carried out.
B. The question Paul is struggling with is, “Has God abandoned the Jewish people?”
1. The danger Paul saw was that there might be those who would take Israel’s rejection as God’s Word failing.
2. The topic of predestination is approached as Paul shows that the tragedy of the Jewish people in no way indicated that God’s plan has failed.
3. Paul’s sorrow over his people was so great that he would be willing to trade his salvation if it would allow his people to be saved.
4. John MacArthur explains it this way, “Paul felt such love that he was willing to relinquish his own salvation and spend eternity in hell if somehow that could bring his fellow Jews to faith in Christ!”
C. The puzzling fact is that the Jew’s rejected God’s plan despite all the advantages He had given them.
1. God had chosen the nation of Israel to be His exclusive people and had given them so many privileges and advantages.
2. Paul was proud to be Jewish but the pain he felt resulted from the fact that the people and their leaders literally threw this privileged position in the trash.
3. Paul could not understand how the Jewish people failed to benefit from all the advantages that God had given them and ultimately rejected the very Messiah that they had waited centuries for.
4. Paul was literally torn apart because He could not understand how a people promised so much would put themselves into a position of being cut off from God.
II. To understand predestination one must establish God’s sovereignty.
A. The concept of predestination rests upon the sovereign choice of God.
1. The world has often adopted erroneous views in regard to God’s Sovereignty.
a. God is unable to right the wrongs that exist in humanity.
b. God is unwilling to involve Himself in the wrongs of humanity.
c. God in reality is simply unjust.
2. God has never promised that every Jew would be saved, He promised that there would be a remnant.
3. So God has not failed in His ultimate purpose even if a small group of Jews accept Christ and are saved.
4. When you examine the Greek you discover two interesting things.
a. The physical descendants of Abraham are not the ones who have the promise.
b. The Spiritual descendants of Abraham are literally the true Israel.
5. Since Paul highlights two distinctly different Israels in this passage changes everything. The arrival of the Messiah would fulfill God’s sovereign purpose for the nation of Israel.
6. The salvation of the human race was too important to allow it rest on the unpredictability of human choice, so God sovereignly made the necessary choices.
B. Predestination highlights God’s perfect character.
1. Paul has clearly highlighted that God is within His rights to choose a group for His service without promising them salvation.
2. Martin Luther explained it this way. “Why, then should man complain that God acts unjustly, when this is impossible? Or, could it be possible that God is not God?”
3. God is infinite and perfect. He is not subject to the whims of human emotion. He is perfectly just and it is not in the realm of possibility for Him to be unjust.
4. God is perfect. Perfect in knowledge, wisdom, power, presence, faithfulness, goodness, justice, mercy, grace, love, and holiness. Therefore, he is perfect in all the choices He makes.
C. Predestination highlights God’s specific responsibility.
1. The big question that is often asked especially by Calvinists, if God functions by making sovereign choices then man is helpless and should not be held at fault for their sinfulness.
2. The problem is that finite man is created in God’s image and like Him has freewill. The essence of sin is that we have the ability reject God’s will for our lives and isn’t that what put Israel in the boat they are?
3. God has not predetermined anyone to sin as James states.
4. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15—NIV 2011)
5. We need to realize that God is not answerable to us but we can rest assured that God will consistently act in a way that is consistent with His character that was displayed in Christ.
D. Predestination shows the consistency in God’s plan.
1. The Bible has made it clear that God’s plan from the very beginning was to save the Gentiles as well, and this salvation would be available to those who would not reject His gift of grace.
2. God’s call to salvation is issued through the Gospel message and it rests upon each individual if they will accept or reject the message.
3. Paul clearly shows that God in accomplishing His purpose used ethnic Israel to give birth to and establish spiritual Israel.
4. Paul now moves from the idea of Divine choice to human responsibility.
a. As the Jews did man can choose to rely on their own works which will end in destruction.
b. The other side of the spectrum is that we can believe it is all up to God and that ends in destruction.
c. The correct response is to make the choice to accept Jesus Christ and the work He has already done.
5. So God’s plan was to offer salvation to everyone but it is up to us to make the choice if we will accept or reject it. God has chosen to leave the choice up to us.
III. We must make a decision on how predestination relates to salvation.
A. We can choose to believe that salvation is totally dependent upon our effort.
1. This was the problem that caused the majority of the Jews to reject their Messiah.
2. The concept of grace was something that they could not wrap their brains around.
3. Their religion evolved into a religion that was exclusively based one’s ability to keep the Law and the prescribed rituals.
4. Like any person seeks to earn their salvation they will discover that it will cause endless frustration and lead you to being judgmental and farther and farther away from God.
B. We can choose to believe that salvation is totally dependent upon God and you have no part in the process.
1. This is dangerous ground to be on, because this leads to a couple of dangerous views.
a. That once you’re saved there is no way to lose that salvation.
b. The way that you live has no bearing on your salvation. God chooses some and rejects others.
2. God called me to salvation so now I can live any way I want and I will be just fine.
3. We need to remember that salvation is dependent upon our response to the Gospel message since it is His will for no one to be lost.
4. This too will lead to a dead end. Because it leads one to believe that they can live whatever way they choose.
C. We can accept a more balanced view of this topic.
1. The truth is that both we and God have a role in the process of salvation.
2. Predestination in no way eliminates human responsibility, it simply places our role where it belongs under the authority and sovereignty of God.
3. By His grace and mercy, God predestined it for each of us to have an opportunity to come to Him based on a decision made of our own freewill.
4. It all comes down to this. We can choose to come to God on our terms or on His terms, but our terms will always lead us farther away from Him.
Closing:
It was reported that a tourist had gone missing from an Icelandic bus tour, resulting in a frantic search involving more than 50 rescuers on foot and by air. It all started when, according to CBS News: "The woman broke off from her tourist group and changed clothes ... When she returned to the bus in a different outfit, the rest of her tour group did not recognize her. Then when a description of the 'missing person' was offered - Asian, in dark clothing and speaks English well - the woman seemingly also did not recognize the description as of herself, so she began to assist the others in searching. ... Hours later, around 3 a.m. Sunday, the search party finally realized that, alas, the woman they were looking for was with them all along, and the search was called off. The local police chief told [Iceland news] that the woman simply didn't recognize the description of herself, and "had no idea that she was missing." Here is our problem; the Bible describes us as spiritually lost and separated from God, but we fail to recognize ourselves in the description. The result is that we have no idea that we're lost. Truth is, we humans are all a rather thick-headed lot who don't readily recognize ourselves in the description of a sinner in need of salvation. Only through the light of humility can our blind eyes finally see how desperate our situation really is. Once we finally see ourselves in the pages of Scripture, the search can be called off. One of God's lost sheep has been found and returned to the fold!
