How can we trust God's decisions, knowing His choices are not based on works? Setting the Scene: Romans 9:11 “Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose in election might stand, not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’” (Romans 9:11–12) The Heart of the Matter • God’s decisions flow from “His purpose in election,” not human effort. • Because His choices are anchored in His own character, they are never arbitrary or capricious. • Trust grows as we understand who He is and how consistently He acts. Why God’s Choices Are Rock-Solid • Sovereign Wisdom — “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5) • Perfect Righteousness — “All His ways are justice; a God of faithfulness without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) • Unchanging Nature — “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17) Scripture Echoes That Cement Our Confidence • Ephesians 1:4-5 — God “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world… according to the good pleasure of His will.” • 2 Timothy 1:9 — He “saved us and called us… not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace.” • Romans 8:28-30 — Those He foreknew, He predestined, called, justified, and glorified; His chain of grace cannot be broken. • Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that He should lie… Has He said, and will He not do it?” Trust Translated into Daily Life • Assurance — Our security rests on His steadfast choice, not our fluctuating performance. • Humility — Grace removes boasting; we live gratefully rather than striving for merit. • Worship — Seeing His electing love moves the heart to praise. • Obedience — We serve out of love, not to earn standing already granted in Christ. • Hope — If His plan began before our birth, it will carry us through every trial to glory. When the Mind Struggles • “Is it fair?” — Romans 9:14 replies, “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!” His justice and mercy coexist without conflict. • “Do my choices matter?” — Philippians 2:13 unites sovereignty and responsibility: “It is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” • “Why suffering?” — Genesis 50:20 shows God overruling evil for good; His unseen purposes can be trusted even in pain. Resting in the Gospel • At the cross we see election’s goal: “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) • Salvation from start to finish is “not by works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:9) • The same God who chose Jacob before birth keeps choosing to shepherd His people day by day. Because His choices rise from eternal wisdom, flawless justice, and boundless love, we can entrust ourselves completely to Him, confident that His decisions—never earned by our works—are always for our ultimate good and His eternal glory. |
    |