Romans
Verse Annotation
Verse 14 - God is not unjust in his workings; He is not evil. He has given us unmerited mercy time after time, compassion we did not deserve.
Verse 16 - It is not about how much strength and will we have, but only God.
Verse 30 - God does not drag people kicking on the ground into righteousness while locking out those who are willing and want to be in the kingdom.
Reflection
This is a very dicey topic in the Christian family of faith, one that I believe should not be. The Bible clearly teaches predestination without confusion or lack of clarity. The key point that is very important to have is what Paul mentions. God does not give injustice to his people; He only gives Justice and mercy. God does not punish the righteous while rewarding the wicked. This is a false rhetoric that has been spewed in some facets of the Christian family regarding predestination. Another misconception is that God does not drag the unwilling into the kingdom, kicking and screaming, while locking out the willing from the kingdom.
When God comes to us, the first he he does is work in our hearts through grace. He makes us, the unwilling, willing. He changes our perception, desires, and likings away from the flesh, which we were slaves to. Predestination is very important in the Christian faith as it shouts the glory of God, His holiness, and mercy towards us. Let us embrace this doctrine and seek to understand it better as it touches on God’s sovereignty over our lives.
Prayer
Jesus I thank you for grace, I thank you for your mercies. God, I thank you for rescuing me and setting me free from the flesh into a newness that I did not merit. Thank you Jesus, for your love and patience with me. I pray that you may continue to remove anything that does not please you in my heart and in my life. Purify me and renew my mind. Help me to see the beauty in your sovereignty and election of those whom you choose.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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