Unlimited: Blaming God
Mar 17, 2023 769
One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” (Romans 9:19)
The question that the apostle is asking here is,
“If salvation is all God’s doing, and God’s will is always going to prevail, then what responsibility do we have for what we do, or even if we are saved or lost?”
Paul is pointing out that this objection is unreasonable. In the context of Paul’s argument, the one who asks is a Jewish person who is unrepentant against Jesus and the Gospel of grace. Because this “rhetorical” person recognises that God is sovereignty, he tries to blame God for the hardened state of his heart, when, in reality, he is the one who is responsible.
This “rhetorical” person tries blaming God, when, in reality, he is the one who is responsible.
It is true that no one is able to resist God’s will. God made a donkey to talk (Num. 22:21–39.) Yet, although he could do so, God does not deal with human beings in the same way as he did with donkeys.
God has given us freedom to choose, and he respects our decisions. There is a real sense in which God “accommodates” his will to our response. He announced Nineveh’s destruction (Jonah 3:4) but he “changed his mind” (v.10) when the people of Nineveh repented.
God’s overarching will is that he wants all to be saved through Christ who gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:4–6.)
Spiritual Application
Have you ever wondered whether your choices matter in life? They matter because God will always respect them. Surrender the choices that will face you this week to God, and ask him to guide you through his Spirit.
Shei!a
Mar 17, 2023
Thanks be to God...