The Alarm That May Ring ‘Mercy’

“One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” Rom. 9:19,20

The Apostle Paul anticipated these questions and answers from his readers. Previously, Paul mentioned Pharaoh of the Exodus (v. 17,18), and how God increasingly hardened his heart; which eventually led to his army being swallowed up in the Red Sea. In view of this hardening, Paul understood the questions that would follow and could have easily resolved the matter before Christ’s advent. God was for Israel and against the world! God’s election of Israel was a substantial part of Paul’s faith and Judaic teaching. However, when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, the question became more difficult; thus, explaining why he had  an heavenly tutorial (2 Cor. 12:2-5). It was one thing for him to grasp God choosing one nation; that is, Israel, which included in his pre-Christ reasoning the entire population, and where they shared national pride, holidays and One God, as opposed to individuals. Individuals, who came in twos and threes to the cross, came from diverse cultures and languages, experiences and backgrounds. Yes, the cross… where twos and threes came… that reminds me of the animals that were drawn to the ark by twos; those that God chose to save for their safety and continued existence. Nonetheless….

How do you resolve such a contentious doctrine as election? Not only the election of those summoned to mercy, but also those chosen to remain dead in their condemnation and later to face justice? In Paul’s argument, which must seem flimsy to some, Paul could only ask, ‘who are you to talk back to God?’ How can you say to the one who created you, why did you create me so? It’s all so vexing for those who feel that what Paul wrote was inadequate, and it was their duty to defend God’s honor. To them, I say it is an affront to God; not a help. While we are called to study God’s word and to plumb the depths to find the eternal fount and refreshment, there are some things that are secret to God (Deu. 29:29). However, allow me to leave you a thought… something that is written: (1) God is love (1 John 4:16), and (2) God is no respecter of men (Acts 10:34). As I think about these two statements, the only doctrine that can bring both points together is God’s divine election; as explained when Paul reiterated God’s words to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

I don’t mean to sound ambivalent or uncaring on this point. However, if what I’ve relayed to you of God’s word Today results in a sense of hardening of your heart against God, then your very sense of it may be the alarm that rings out to you ‘mercy!’