Abide Together: Reflections on Romans 9-10

In Romans 9, Paul expresses great sorrow over the fact that so many Jews have rejected Jesus as Messiah and therefore have rejected God’s way of salvation. However, Paul also says that God’s plan of salvation has not failed, because it does to depend on man’s will or ability.  He writes, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  God’s mercy overcomes man’s sin and will bring many to saving faith in Jesus.  Lord, thank you that my salvation does not depend on me, but on You.

In Romans 10, again express his desire for his Jewish kinsmen to be saved from the penalty of sin.  He says the reason they are lost is because they seek to establish their own righteousness before God and do not seek God’s righteousness that is by faith in Jesus. It is by faith in Jesus that all people are saved, Jew and Gentile.  Yet, they have to hear the message of salvation by faith, therefore people must proclaim this message.  Paul explains why when he writes, “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”  Lord, help me today proclaim that salvation from sin comes from faith in Jesus Christ and trust You to use that message to bring about salvation in the lives of those who hear.

– Bryan McKenzie