Romans 9-10

The overall theme in these two chapters is faith vs works. Do we live a life based on works to earn God's love, salvation and favor? Or do we rely on faith and trust in Him?

Let's establish the facts:

Jesus is God:

Romans 9:5 NIV Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

God is in control:

Romans 9:15 NIV For He says to Mose, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

We are not in control:

Romans 9:20-21 NIV But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"

The Israelites and many other religions today boast about works for salvation:

Romans 9:30-33 NIV What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." (Emphasis mine)

We are saved by faith:

Romans 10:9-10 NIV That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Faith comes from the Word of God:

Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God is in control, we need not fear. You can belong to His family and rest in His protection by simply believing that Jesus died for our sins, was raised unto life. Hear the Word, let your faith grow, receive Him and live forever!