Introduction

Ever since Genesis 3, one of Satan’s most best strategies has been convincing people they can be like God. He told Eve, “God knows that in the day you eat from (the tree) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:5). Eve really liked that. She tried to be like God, but predictably it didn’t work.

Yet Satan gets more and more run with the god-temptation especially in our culture. The humanist religion of our day preaches that you are very important, you should live to serve yourself, and you must do whatever makes you happy. They assume we are all little gods.

Sadly, many churches merely preach a Christianized version of the same message. Everything is about how important you are and about how you can live a fulfilled life. Yes, God certainly cares about people, and Jesus often appealed to human interests. But true Christianity is not fundamentally about you, and God is not merely a strategy for a healthier life. He is the sovereign creator and Lord. We exist for him, not he for us.

Our faith will never quite make sense until we embrace this fact. And frankly, we will never fully enjoy the rest and peace of God until we rightly see him and ourselves. Therefore, one of our greatest needs, and it’s a lifelong process, is to replace my natural big-me theology with the big-God theology of the Bible. And few passages confront my big-me theology more bluntly than the passage we will study the next two weeks in Romans. Today, we’ll look at vv. 14–18. This is a hard passage because it challenges so many of our natural assumptions. Notice, first, that it is built on a very important question in v. 14.

I.  The Question: Is election unjust (v. 14)?

Paul asks, “There is no injustice with God, is there?” This is an important question because many people accuse God of injustice, and when life is hard, we are all tempted to think it. But why does Paul raise the question here?

Remember that the big concern of Romans 9 is, as v. 6 says, that it appeared as if “the word of God (had) failed” since most Jews rejected Christ. The Jews assumed that their physical connection to Abraham all but guaranteed their salvation. God practically owed it to them. But it wasn’t happening.

Paul responds in vv. 6–13 by arguing that God’s purpose, not physical descent has always determined who will be saved. He proves his point by going all the way back to Abraham’s sons and grandsons. God didn’t extend the promise to all of them, only to Isaac and Jacob.

And in Jacob and Esau’s case, God’s choice especially defied human expectations. God chose the younger brother before he was born, before Jacob or Esau could do anything to gain or lose God’s blessing. Therefore, God’s purpose alone determined his choice. Verse 13 says, “Just as…”

That doesn’t seem right, does it? How can God reject Esau before he had done anything wrong and without giving him a chance to earn God’s favor? Therefore, today’s passage begins with a very important question, “There is no injustice with God, is there?”

So, the purpose of our passage is to answer this question. Does God’s choice compromise his righteousness? Did God treat Esau unjustly? And more importantly, was God being unjust to all the Jews who rejected Christ?

I must say that if Paul believed that our choice ultimately determines who will be saved, the answer would be simple. If Paul were an Arminian, he could have simply blamed the Jews for rejecting Christ. But he wasn’t. He believed that God is sovereign. He just argued in vv. 7–13 that God’s purpose determines who will be saved. Paul believed in election. The way he answers v. 14 proves that we are tracking his argument correctly.

So, Paul’s fundamental concern in our passage is with the justice of election. Was God unjust to choose Jacob over Esau? Was he unjust to reject most Jews of Paul’s day? And in our day, is he unjust to choose some for salvation instead of others?

That may seem like a needless question for eggheads, until it suddenly is not. When your adult child rejects the faith, or when you are looking in a casket at someone who rejected every one of your pleas to receive Christ, you will seriously wrestle with this question.

And when life gets hard, we are tempted to think, “I deserve better. God, you are not being fair.” So, it is very relevant for us to consider who God is, our confidence in him, and our response to life’s most difficult and tempting moments. We all need to listen up.

Paul gives a full answer in vv. 15–18 but he first emphasizes how reprehensible the question is. He answers, “May it never be!” “How dare we accuse God of injustice.” That’s instructive. On the one hand, the Bible consistently invites us to bring our questions to God or to wise, godly counselors. God is not intimidated by hard questions, and we shouldn’t be scared to ask them. We have a reasonable faith. Verses 15–18 exemplify that.

But there are also lines we must never cross. I have no right to sit in judgment on God. I have no authority to accuse God of wrongdoing. Doing so is arrogant, blasphemous, and terribly dangerous. So, don’t let your mind or your mouth go there.

Feel free to humbly bring your questions but be careful about your conclusions and the spirit behind them. That said, Paul follows with two Bible answers to the question. First, vv. 15–16 answer by asserting…

II.  First Answer: God has the right to display mercy (vv. 15–16).

Verse 15 begins by citing one of the most significant, oft-quoted statements of God in the entire OT. This quotation is very important, and it happened during one of the most important moments in Israel’s history. So, turn in your Bibles to Exodus 32.

Exodus 32 tells the tragic story of the golden calf. God just told Israel, “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth” (Exod 20:4). But what did they do? They made an idol. And God was angry (32:10).

Israel deserved death for their rebellion. However, Moses prayed, and God mercifully did not destroy them. But all is not well (33:1–3). Moses didn’t want an angel. They needed God with them. So, once again he pleads for mercy and God mercifully agrees to go with the nation (v. 14). Then Moses asks God to confirm his promise by revealing his glory. Notice God’s reply in vv. 18–19.

There’s the statement that Paul quotes. And then notice what God says when his glory passes in front of Moses (34:5–7). It’s an incredible experience, and God makes a very important point through it.

Specifically, there was nothing in Israel that demanded God’s mercy and forgiveness. He would have been just to destroy them. But he chose, based solely on his own purpose and goodness to forgive. And Moses did not deserve to see God’s glory either. Instead, God freely demonstrated mercy based solely on his purpose and will. So, how does this quotation answer Paul’s question about injustice in God. First…

The Bible teaches God is not obligated to save every Israelite. Don’t miss the fact that this is the 3^rd of 4 biblical arguments Paul uses in Romans 9. He believed in the authority of Scripture. I hope we do too. If the Bible clearly teaches a doctrine, that should always be enough, whether we like it, and it makes sense to us or not. Don’t ever respond to Scripture by saying, “I just can’t accept that.” Instead, always respond in faith with a simple, “Yes, Lord.”

In this case, Exodus 33:19 is clear biblical proof that God is not obligated to show Israel mercy. He did it freely based solely on his purpose. So, God was not obligated to save every Jew in Paul’s day either. His rejection of the Jews was not unjust. But what does that mean for us. A second point that this passage makes about God’s justice is that…

I have no right to demand God’s mercy. This is where Paul’s theology becomes incredibly offensive to the modern man. Most people assume that God ought to be merciful to us. “I’m important. I’m valuable. And I’m not that bad. Any God who doesn’t bend over backwards to show me mercy must be a horrible ogre.” At the very least he ought to give everyone an equal chance.

But God says you have overestimated your worthiness and misunderstood God’s holiness, justice, and glory. Exodus 32–34 illustrate this beautifully. I doubt you have ever danced around a golden calf, but we have all defied the infinite holiness of God. We deserve condemnation. Therefore, God’s mercy is truly mercy. God is only compelled to show mercy by his own goodness. You have no right to demand it. That brings me to my 3^rd point which is…

God’s purpose alone determines who receives mercy. This is the main point of Exodus 32–34. Israel did not deserve it, and Moses did not talk God into being a better version of himself. No, notice the conclusion in v. 16. You will never compel God to do anything, and you can’t take any credit for your standing before him. It is all mercy.

Therefore, God is free to show mercy to some and not to others. He doesn’t have to give everyone an equal opportunity because no one deserves mercy. He is free to act according to his purpose alone. He is not unjust to choose only some for mercy. If you think election is unfair, God plainly says it is not. No, the problem is your assumption that everyone deserves mercy. Now, I recognize that this raises two important questions.

What role does faith play? This is an important question. Afterall, Paul strongly argued in chapter 4 that justification is applied by faith. Is Paul saying that faith isn’t necessary? Or even worse, is God free to deny mercy to someone who believes?

Jesus plainly said, “You must be born again” by faith. But he also said that faith itself is a gift of God. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27–28).

Jesus assumes that God has chosen some to be his sheep because they are chosen to be sheep before they receive eternal life. When Jesus calls through the preaching of the gospel, he causes them to hear and respond. They come freely and gladly because God mercifully gives understanding and faith. So, faith is necessary. No one will be saved without hearing and believing the gospel. But faith itself is a mercy that God sovereignly grants.

BTW, this promise should give us great confidence to share the gospel. God has people out there who he will save. The fields are white for harvest. So, share the gospel with confidence because God will save people. 2^nd…

What role does reward play? In other words, how can Paul say that God’s mercy is entirely unmerited when other passages teach that God rewards our labor and obedience? Do we earn those rewards or not? The answer is yes. I’m going to say more about this tonight when we discuss God’s justice, but the simple answer is that every reward God gives is rooted in the mercy of the gospel.

I can labor for the Lord, please him, and look forward to eternal rewards. But I will not have any room to boast in heaven because I am eternally dependent on the mercy of God in Christ, and my best efforts are only by his grace. That’s why we will ultimately cast our crowns back at Jesus’ feet.

So, if you have never received Christ as Savior, please do so today. You have sinned against your Creator God. You deserve his wrath, and you cannot possibly to earn his favor. But Jesus lived a perfect life, and he died in your place on the cross. He can be your Savior today, if you will confess that he is Lord and that you have sinned against him. Then put your faith in his finished work on the cross. Stop trying to earn a relationship with God and rest in his perfect sacrifice. If you do that, you will receive eternal life, and Jesus promises you will never perish. Please receive him today.

And if you are saved, don’t ever stop being amazed that God was merciful to you. You didn’t deserve it, you didn’t earn it, and you still don’t deserve it. But because God is merciful, you aren’t just rescued from hell, you are a son or daughter of God. Don’t ever lose your wonder at that amazing fact. Then continue to rest because it never was about your goodness; it was always about his mercy, and his mercy will never dry up. Praise God!

So, Paul’s first answer as to why God is not unjust that God has the right to display mercy. Then vv. 17–18 give a second answer.

III.  Second Answer: God has the right to harden (vv. 17–18).

Once again, Paul goes to Exodus to make his point. God warned Moses that the exodus wasn’t going to be easy. Rather, notice his warning in Exodus 4:21. God said he would harden Pharoah’s heart to delay the exodus.

What does that mean? And, what’s especially important in our text is how can it be just? Well, hardening simply means to become calloused in rebellion against God so that you no longer feel the pain of God’s judgment like a normal person or respond with repentance.

You clearly see it in the story of the 10 plagues. God ravished the Egyptians with horrible judgment after judgment. Any rational king would have given in quickly. But Pharoah stubbornly refused and subjected his people to terrible torture. His spiritual sensitivities were deeply calloused.

It’s hard to imagine how anyone could be so hard, except that God said he would harden Pharoah’s heart. But doesn’t that defy the holiness and righteousness of God? We must remember that Pharoah was not previously a righteous man searching after God.

No, Pharoah and his people were violently oppressing God’s people. Pharoah was an evil man long before the plagues. So, God was just to harden this evil man so that he endured a portion of the judgment he rightly deserved. Pharoah and the Egyptians don’t deserve any sympathy from us, considering their idolatry, cruelty, and defiance. God was entirely just.

Furthermore, this hardening served the most important purpose in all the world—the glory of God. Paul quotes from an important explanation God gives in Exodus 9:13–17. Israel needed to see God’s glory, and God needed to be glorified in the earth. So, God wasn’t needlessly inflicting torment. No, he hardened an already evil man to accomplish the most important purpose in creation and the best good for his people. So, what is Paul’s point? First…

The Bible teaches that God has the right to harden. Once again, I want to emphasize Paul’s authority because so many discussions about election hardly mention the Bible. It’s all about what makes sense and feels right to me or about my ability to out-debate you.

But the only thing that really matters is what the Bible says. Your first desire must always be faithfulness to Scripture, and every debate should be focused on winning people to greater faithfulness to Scripture. So, who wins when the clear meaning of Scripture conflicts with your feelings, instincts, and assumptions? Don’t ever try to bend Scripture to what you want to be true; instead, bend what you want to be true to Scripture.

That said, Exodus clearly teaches that God is free to harden sinners to the truth, and he sometimes does this. He is not an insecure lover, desperately scrambling to win our affection. He is the sovereign Lord, and a righteous judge. Therefore, when the Jews of Paul’s day rejected Jesus, God wasn’t obligated to chase them. He was just to harden them in their rebellion and to pursue the Gentiles. This brings me to Paul’s 2^nd point, which he makes in v. 18.

God is free to dispense mercy and judgment (v. 18). This verse makes an important clarification. Yes, Pharoah absolutely deserved to be hardened. But God didn’t have to harden him. Think of Paul’s own testimony. God would have been just to harden Saul the Pharisee; instead, he miraculously pursued Paul and saved him.

In the same way, God could have used the 10 plagues to bring Pharoah to repentance. But he justly chose to harden Pharoah so “that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” Jesus did the same thing. “The disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted…Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matt 13:10–13).

We don’t always understand why God pursues some and not others, but the Bible is clear that he does. It is clear that he is free to do so and just in doing so. We just have to trust that in his infinite wisdom his purpose is just. Next week we will see that God’s glory is always at the center of this purpose.

But before we pull all of this together into a few applications, I must answer an important question. Is Paul teaching double predestination? In other words, does God only elect people to eternal life, or does he also elect people to eternal condemnation?

The answer is no. God is never the author of sin. He is holy and righteous. Everyone in hell will be there because of their own sin, not because of God’s election including Pharoah. The fact that God could have stopped him does not mean he is responsible for Pharoah’s rebellion. We must affirm the righteousness of God. The Bible does not teach double predestination. Finally, what does all this mean for us? I’d like to close with 3 applications.

Application

Give glory to God. As I said in my introduction, the reason this passage is so hard for us is because we overvalue ourselves and undervalue God. We must remember that God is not on our level. We have no authority over him. He is only bound by his own perfect righteousness and infinite purpose. So, when you struggle with God’s ways, don’t try to fix God by bringing him down to your level; instead, fix yourself and give him more of the glory he is due.

Rejoice in God’s mercy. This passage is abundantly clear that if you are a Christian, you can’t take any credit for your standing with God. You didn’t compel God to love you, and you didn’t figure something out on your own. No, God just had mercy on you. Therefore, 1 Corinthians 1:31 says, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Paul said, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10). There’s no room for pride at the foot of cross. Never forget it.

And if you are new to Christianity, I understand that this passage is a hard pill to swallow. It’s not where I would typically take someone who is new to the Bible. But you don’t have to understand every detail to see that you desperately need mercy from God. And God promises that mercy is available for all who come to the cross (10:13). So, humble yourself before the Lord, call on his name, and receive the free gift of salvation.

Trust the Lord with what you can’t understand. This is a hard passage, and it’s an easy place for us to jump to all sorts of sinful conclusions about God and his ways. Don’t go there. Verse 14 says, “May it never be” that we would accuse God of injustice. Remember that we cannot understand infinitude, but we know that God is good. He proved it at the cross. So trust what he says. Believe every word.