Tag: Salvation

Does Romans 9 Prove Calvinism?

Romans 9:11-24 is one of the most debated passages in Scripture, often pitting Calvinism’s emphasis on God’s sovereignty and predestination against Arminianism’s focus on free will and human responsibility. Yet, neither system fully reconciles the tension between divine providence and human freedom. A Molinist perspective offers a middle way, affirming both God’s exhaustive foreknowledge and His desire for a genuine relationship with free moral agents.

Verse-by-Verse Exploration

Romans 9:11-13

Paul cites Jacob and Esau to demonstrate God’s sovereign election. Before the twins were born, God chose Jacob over Esau “so that God’s purpose in election would stand.” A Calvinist may argue this supports unconditional election, where God’s choice is entirely independent of human actions. However, a Molinist would point out that God’s foreknowledge of all possible worlds (including the one where Jacob’s lineage fulfilled His redemptive plan) allows for this choice without overriding Esau’s freedom. God chose the line of Jacob because, in His omniscience, He knew Jacob’s descendants would cooperate with His purposes.

Romans 9:14-16

Paul anticipates the objection: Is God unjust? His answer: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” Calvinists see this as God unilaterally bestowing mercy. However, Molinism emphasizes God’s mercy is perfectly compatible with free will. God’s choice to show mercy or harden hearts (like Pharaoh’s) is based on His exhaustive foreknowledge of how individuals will freely respond to His grace. Mercy is not arbitrary but aligned with His plan to bring about redemption while respecting free will.

Romans 9:17-18

Pharaoh’s hardening raises another question. Calvinists often assert that God actively hardened Pharaoh’s heart to display His power. Molinists, however, interpret this as God actualizing a world where Pharaoh freely chose to resist Him, knowing that Pharaoh’s rebellion would ultimately magnify His glory. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative, where God desires repentance but allows individuals to reject Him (e.g., Ezekiel 33:11).

Romans 9:19-21

The analogy of the potter and clay underscores God’s authority over creation. Calvinists see this as evidence that humans have no say in their destiny. Arminians might soften it, emphasizing human responsibility. Molinists affirm God’s sovereignty but highlight that He creates vessels of honor or dishonor based on His foreknowledge of their free choices. God’s shaping of individuals respects their agency while fulfilling His providential plan.

Romans 9:22-24

Here, Paul speaks of God’s patience with objects of wrath to make His glory known to objects of mercy. Molinism sees this as God allowing free agents to persist in rebellion, using even their defiance to serve His purposes. God’s foreknowledge ensures His glory is revealed without coercion.

Reading Romans 10 in Context

Romans 10 expands on the universal availability of salvation: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). This inclusivity challenges Calvinism’s limited atonement. It also highlights human responsibility, countering the idea that salvation is purely God’s unilateral action. Molinism bridges these chapters by showing that God’s sovereign plan incorporates human freedom. God foreknew who would call on Him and actualized a world where His grace is universally sufficient, but salvation depends on individual response.

Is God Less Glorious in Molinism?

Some might argue that acknowledging human freedom diminishes God’s glory. On the contrary, Molinism magnifies God’s glory by showcasing His ability to orchestrate a world where His purposes are achieved without violating free will. A God who can sovereignly guide free agents toward His ends is more glorious than one who relies on deterministic control.

The Call to Abraham-Like Faith

Paul’s argument in Romans 9-10 ultimately points us back to faith, as exemplified by Abraham. Faith is the humble acknowledgment that salvation is God’s work, and our response is to trust Him. God’s plan is perfect, not because He compels us, but because He foreknew how we would respond and crafted a plan where all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).

Final Reflection

Are we willing to trust God’s sovereignty and submit our lives to His will, knowing He has accounted for every choice we will make? Romans 9-10 calls us to marvel at a God whose grace is both sovereign and accessible. His invitation is open: Will you freely choose to call on His name?

What is Faith?

Faith is at the heart of salvation, as Paul makes clear in Romans 2–4. Abraham was justified by faith, not by works, so that salvation would be a gift of grace and not something earned (Romans 4:2–3). The picture Paul paints is that of absolute dependence on God, where even the smallest notion of taking credit for our salvation is absurd.

Think about it like this: In the movie Aladdin (1992), there’s a moment where Aladdin is drowning, and Genie, bound by the rules of magic, cannot save him unless Aladdin makes a wish. Aladdin, nearly unconscious, appears to nod his head, which Genie interprets as permission to act. Genie then rescues him. It would be laughable for Aladdin to boast afterward about saving himself. He played no active role in his own rescue; his faint acknowledgment was simply the condition through which the saving power of Genie could be applied.

Faith is like that. It is not a work or a contribution to salvation; it’s the means by which God’s grace is activated in our lives. Ephesians 2:8–9 underscores this: “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast” (NET). Faith doesn’t earn salvation—it’s merely the channel through which grace flows. It’s as though God says, “Will you trust me to save you?” and our faith is the feeble nod that says, “Yes.”

Abraham’s story embodies this beautifully. When God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, Abraham had no reason to believe based on his circumstances. His body was as good as dead, and Sarah’s womb was barren (Romans 4:19). Yet Abraham’s faith wasn’t about his ability to bring about the promise but about trusting that God would do what He said He would do (Romans 4:20–21). That’s what God counted as righteousness.

Here’s where this becomes a challenge for us. Do we have Abraham-like faith? Are we fully relying on God’s grace, or are we subtly trying to “help” God save us? Maybe we feel the need to perform, to prove ourselves worthy of His love. But true faith lays all of that down. It acknowledges our inability and rests entirely in His ability.

Faith isn’t about earning or even contributing to salvation. It’s about surrendering completely and trusting God to accomplish what we never could. Like Aladdin, who needed rescuing when he could do nothing to save himself, we nod our heads and trust in the One who lifts us from certain death into eternal life.

Good Enough? Not Even Close!

In the opening chapters of Galatians, Paul confronts a troubling idea: that righteousness before God can be earned through human effort. For some early Christians, the path to holiness seemed tied to strict adherence to the Mosaic law—a rigorous system that no one could keep perfectly. Paul knew firsthand how impossible it was to attain righteousness this way. The law, as Paul explains, is not a ladder to God; rather, it’s a mirror, showing us just how far we fall short.

This is why Paul’s words still ring true: the law wasn’t given to save us but to reveal our need for a Savior. If it were possible to be “good enough” on our own, then Jesus’ sacrifice would be unnecessary. But in our imperfection, Christ’s perfect obedience becomes our saving grace. Jesus fulfilled the law in ways no one else could, and because of our relationship with Him, we’re declared righteous—not by our actions, but by His.

When we live with this understanding, good works take on a new meaning. They’re not a checklist for salvation or proof of our worth but rather a response of gratitude for what Jesus has already done. We live righteously because we’re loved and saved, not in an attempt to become loved or saved. This mindset frees us from the endless cycle of trying to “measure up” and invites us to rest in the assurance that Christ has already bridged the gap.

Let’s not allow ourselves to be drawn back into performance-based religion. Instead, let’s remember that our worth is found in Christ’s fulfillment of the law and His deep, unwavering love for us. We live righteously not out of obligation but out of joy, thankful for a salvation we could never earn but freely receive.

Perseverance of the Saints: A Redefinition

There are few questions in the Christian life more significant than that of salvation: How secure is it? Is salvation something that can be lost, or is it a permanent state once we come to faith? This question touches on core aspects of how we understand God’s love, our responsibility, and the very nature of grace. The Bible seems to offer both the assurance of salvation and the call to persevere — two realities that we must hold in tension.

1. Security in Christ: A Precious Assurance

Throughout the New Testament, we find comforting passages that speak of the security we have in Christ. Verses like John 10:28-29, where Jesus declares that no one will snatch His sheep from His hand, or Romans 8:38-39, which assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God, offer believers a profound sense of peace. These Scriptures reveal God’s sovereign protection over those who belong to Him. Just as a shepherd guards his sheep from predators, God watches over His flock with unfailing care.

Yet, in these same texts, the language emphasizes God’s protection against external forces. There is no mention of what happens if a person chooses to walk away. As comforting as these verses are, they do not paint the entire picture of salvation security. Scripture never suggests that God overrides our will or that we lose our agency once we are saved.

2. The Call to Persevere: Warnings Against Falling Away

In contrast to the promises of security, other Scriptures issue strong warnings to believers about the dangers of falling away from faith. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of those who “have tasted the heavenly gift” and “shared in the Holy Spirit,” yet later “fall away.” The passage implies that a genuine experience of God can be abandoned, resulting in the tragic loss of salvation.

Similarly, Colossians 1:22-23 reminds us that Christ’s reconciliation is for those who “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast.” This conditional statement implies that perseverance is required for salvation to be ultimately secured. In Matthew 24:13, Jesus Himself says that “the one who endures to the end will be saved,” pointing again to the importance of ongoing faithfulness.

3. Balancing Grace and Responsibility

How, then, do we reconcile these two threads — the assurance of salvation and the warnings about falling away? The Bible teaches both. God’s grace is powerful, and His protection is complete. Yet, the same Bible calls us to take responsibility for our ongoing faith and walk with Him.

This tension can be best understood through the lens of covenant relationship. God’s grace initiates and sustains our relationship with Him, but like any relationship, it requires response and faithfulness. God will never abandon His covenant with us, but Scripture warns that it is possible for us to abandon the covenant ourselves through disobedience, willful sin, or neglect.

To clarify, this does not mean that every momentary struggle or doubt puts our salvation at risk. God’s grace is far greater than our weaknesses. The Bible affirms that believers will struggle and stumble, but this is vastly different from a willful, persistent turning away from Christ. The Perseverance of the Saints, as many theologians describe it, suggests that true believers will continue in their faith precisely because God is at work within them.

4. What Does This Mean for Us Today?

The practical implications are profound. If you have trusted in Christ for your salvation, you can have confidence that God holds you in His hands. You are secure, not because of your own efforts, but because of His grace and power. No external force can snatch you away from Him.

At the same time, the Bible calls you to remain faithful. Salvation is not a ticket to complacency but an invitation into a living, active relationship with the God of the universe. Faith is dynamic, not static. It grows through obedience, prayer, fellowship, and immersion in God’s Word.

Take comfort in knowing that God is at work within you, both to will and to act according to His purpose (Philippians 2:13). Yet, also take seriously the call to persevere, to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), trusting that God will supply the strength you need.

5. Conclusion: A Promise and a Warning

The good news of the Gospel is that salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith, and held secure in Christ. However, the Bible is equally clear that perseverance is required. The evidence of true faith is a life of ongoing trust and obedience. Those who truly belong to Christ will demonstrate this by continuing in their faith — not because of their own strength, but because God empowers them to do so.

In a world full of distractions and temptations, may we heed the call to remain faithful, knowing that our salvation is secure in Him — but also recognizing that our faith is meant to be lived out daily in dependence on His grace.

From Bloodline to Faith: Jesus’ Better Covenant

John’s powerful rebuke to the crowds gathered at the Jordan River reveals a profound shift in God’s plan for salvation. When John tells the crowd that their claim to Abraham as their forefather isn’t enough to save them (Matthew 3:9), he’s laying the groundwork for a new covenant that Jesus would usher in—a covenant that wasn’t based on bloodline but on faith. This is a critical moment in understanding the transition from the old way of thinking, where lineage determined your identity as part of God’s people, to the new way, where it’s faith in Christ that defines who belongs to God.

In the Old Testament, the promise to Abraham was deeply connected to his descendants—God chose Abraham and promised that through his offspring, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). The Jewish people took pride in being Abraham’s physical descendants, as this bloodline represented their covenant relationship with God. But John’s rebuke highlights a truth that had been foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament: salvation has always been about more than just physical descent.

Even before Jesus came, there were those who were saved not by their bloodline but by their faith. Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, was not part of the family of Abraham by blood, yet she is included in the genealogy of Jesus because of her faith and her actions in protecting the Israelite spies (Joshua 2, Matthew 1:5). Similarly, Ruth, a Moabite widow, was not an Israelite by birth, but her faithfulness to God and her trust in His provision brought her into the fold of God’s people (Ruth 1:16, Ruth 4). These women—outsiders by all human standards—were saved by their faith, and they became part of the lineage through which Jesus, the Savior, came.

What John was doing in his rebuke was preparing the people for the truth that Jesus would soon reveal: that God’s plan had always been bigger than a single nation or bloodline. Jesus came to bring that plan to completion, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham while expanding them. No longer would salvation be confined to those who could trace their ancestry back to Abraham; now, anyone who has faith in Christ is considered a child of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Jesus took the bloodline of Abraham, the promise made to one family, and fulfilled it so completely that it could be opened up to the whole world.

This is incredibly good news for us today because it means that salvation is not something we inherit or earn through who we are or what we do. It’s a gift of grace that comes through faith in Jesus. Just like Rahab and Ruth, we are invited into God’s family, not by our lineage or our efforts, but by trusting in Him. And just as they were counted righteous through their faith before Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are now made right with God through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

This message is particularly significant in our time, where people often find their identity in their background, status, or achievements. Jesus’ invitation is open to all, regardless of their past, their family, or their mistakes. The promise that began with Abraham, was carried through his bloodline, and was fulfilled in Jesus is now extended to all who would believe.

In Jesus, the bloodline of Abraham is brought to completion, and a new, better promise is made available to us all: salvation through faith. Just as Rahab and Ruth were brought into God’s family by faith, so too can we become part of His family, united not by blood, but by the Spirit of God that draws us to faith in Christ. That is the true fulfillment of God’s plan and the good news we celebrate today.

The Allure of Destruction

Sin and evil rarely present themselves as dangerous or destructive. Instead, they are often wrapped in enticing packages, appealing to our fleshly desires and offering fleeting moments of pleasure. Whether it’s indulging in a secret sin, embracing a lifestyle that contradicts God’s commands, or simply turning a blind eye to the ways of the world, evil always promises quick rewards and instant gratification.

Yet, as today’s reading shows, the good times don’t last. The path of sin and evil ultimately leads us away from God and, therefore, away from salvation. As Ezekiel warned, sin’s consequences are dire. The destruction may not come immediately, but it is inevitable. What seemed like a harmless indulgence can quickly turn into a trap, leading to spiritual decay and, ultimately, destruction.

In Ezekiel 24:13, God speaks through the prophet about the people’s sins: “Because I tried to cleanse you, but you refused to be cleansed. So you will not be cleansed from your filthiness again until I have satisfied my fury on you.” The allure of sin led the people of Israel to resist God’s attempts at purification, and they suffered the consequences.

Today, we face similar temptations. The world offers countless distractions and temptations that seem harmless or even good on the surface. But if we are not vigilant, we risk being led down a path that takes us further from God. The temporary pleasures of sin are not worth the eternal consequences.

Let us not be fooled by the attractive facade of sin and evil. Instead, let us seek God’s wisdom and strength to resist temptation, knowing that true joy and peace come from following Him.