Subject: “The purpose of God according to election” Romans 9:11
11 (For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”
13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Romans 9:11-13
THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION
1. This is a profound doctrine
2. Paul highlighted this doctrine in this text
ELECTION AND WORKS
1. Jewish theology focuses on “works” rather than election
2. Paul however establishes the doctrine of Election
CLEAR EXAMPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION AT WORK
1. God gave a word of promise each
a) To Sarah
b) To Rebecca
2. Each promise was duly fulfilled
a) Sarah struggled with unbelief
b) Nevertheless, God’s promise was fulfilled
3. Rebecca
a) She too was given a promise
b) She bore twins (Esau and Jacob)
4. Election is to be understood with reference to:
a) God’s call
b) God’s choice
c) God’s purpose
d) It has nothing to do with works
i) Isaac was not yet born
ii) Esau and Jacob were not yet born too
IT IS WRITTEN
2 I have loved you,” says the LORD.
“Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’
Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”
Says the LORD.
“Yet Jacob I have loved;
3 But Esau I have hated,
And laid waste his mountains and his heritage
For the jackals of the wilderness.”
Malachi 1:2-3 Cited Romans 9:13
1. This text from Malachi was chosen
2. It serves to highlight the doctrine of Election
3. Our salvation is not dependent on Works but on God’s election
RECALLING ROMANS 8
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Romans 8:29-30
1. Foreknowledge
2. Predestination
3. Calling
4. Justification
5. Glorification
Works is not the basis for Salvation!
OUR CHALLENGE
1. To stand in awe of God’s sovereign grace
2. To appreciate afresh our salvation
3. To attempt to further comprehend God’s doctrine of Election