Romans 9:31-33 Spells Relief

Romans 9:31-33 gives great relief and balance for those, who like me, are from a ‘Calminian’ (Calvinism and Armenian theology meshed) background.  By this I mean that all growing up I perceived God’s invitation as ‘whosoever will’ and those that ‘would’ wouldn’t lose it in regards to salvation.  Further study has driven me to consider God’s part in the overall salvation process more and more.   While it remains, I believe, humanly impossible to resolve human free will and God’s sovereignty, we see both portrayed in the Bible.  What jumps out at me is that we are responsible regardless.  If someone rejects Christ it is their own fault.  If someone receives Christ as Savior and Lord, it is God’s grace.  At the end of chapter 9 of Romans, Paul reminds us of Israel’s fault in not attaining righteousness.  The fault was in the fact that they did not seek it by faith.  Whoever ‘believes’ in Jesus will experience this ‘righteousness’ and not ‘be put to shame.’  (vs. 33)  Paul has made his point clear that God is sovereign and can do with us lumps of clay as he wishes.  The practical admonition is to believe.  For those who believe, there is salvation.

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