How should I think and feel about my friends and family who dont know Jesus?

A rough draft on Romans 9.

Introduction
Romans 9 is one of the more difficult chapters in the Bible. Its complicated to understand and also potentially heart-churning to believe. In part this is because its written to address the challenging and real situation that all believers face, what about my friends and family who dont know Jesus? Its message is also shaped by the previous eight chapters of Romans and needs to be understood in light of those most substantial pages. I find it helpful to read a manuscript copy of this chapter and mark the objections that structure the chapter, the Old Testament quotes and allusions, and the Urgh moments that feel deeply uncomfortable intellectually or emotionally. We want to be respectful but its healthy to have questions and to allow ourselves to feel the way the Word of God confronts us.

An overview
Romans 9 opens with Paul reflecting on the real situation that many Israelites reject the Christ, despite vast relevation having been made to them. This is a heart-breaking for Paul. He will carry out an overview of the Old Testament story considering the patriarchs in Genesis, the Exodus event and then the testimony of the prophets. By his conclusion he will be holding on to two convictions. 1. Whatever the situation of those Paul knows who dont believe, if it was not for the intervention of God Paul himself would be like Sodom, destroyed.

Whats the issue in v1-5?

Whats the final answer to this in v27-29 and 30-33

2. Whatever other reasons stand to explain why those Paul knows dont believe, supremely the issue is that they have stumbled over the stumbling stone, that is Christ. Whatever they might say, and whatever broader things we might say, in the end, theyve been offered Christ and tripped over him. These two together shape our posture and approach. As I consider the situation of friends and family I have who dont believe in the Christ I do so from a position of being astounded and amazed that Im a believer, that Ive been taken from Adams helpless race and found loved in Christ. Furthermore, the issue is always Jesus. At root, behind all other reasons, the key question is what do people make of Jesus. Many other questions dont have answers or will remain difficult, and indeed questions multiply once we come to Christ rather than neatly resolving. Those questions should be engaged whether theyre about science or suffering or countless other subjects. But alongside them remains the question: What will we do with the Christ? A: Id love to believe in God but I just cant because of x,y, z. B: Let me tell you about Jesus

The structure
1-5 The opening anguish over unbelieving family and friends 6-13 Objection 1: Has Gods word failed? 14-18 Objection 2: Is God unrighteous?

19-33 Objection 3: Why does God blame us? Thirty-nine percent of the material in Romans 9-11 is quotation from the Old Testament. The basic structure in this chapter is to raise an objection, provoked by the previous verses, and then to reflect on the storyline or particular quotations from Genesis, Exodus, Hosea and Isaiah to answer the key objection that has been raised.

An approach
Having just written glorious words like there is now no condemnation and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Paul writes a new section that is fundamentally connected to everything that has been said before but also is a unit in itself. He speaks the truth and yet it it is written with great sorrow and unceasing anguish. There is great clarity and confidence here but held with deep emotion as Paul reflects on the situation of his brothers and kinsmen. He has in mind Israelites who, unlike him, have not believed in the Christ. What of their situation? His heart breaks for them. There is no British reserve here. No stoicism. There is permission to feel deeply. This chapter was written on tear-stained paper by a broken hearted believer. This chapter will address the hard teaching of Gods purpose in election by means of a Bible overview in answer to the problem of my friends and family. It is worth saying that all Christians believe in Gods purpose of election unless they wilful ignore this chapter and many others. But, there is widespread difference among those who take the Scriptures serious as to how exactly to understand the way God works in election. John Pipers book The Justification of God and Paul Marsden and Roger Forsters volume Gods Strategy in Human History represent too rigorous approaches to opposite ends of understanding this. Piper offers a confident teaching on Reprobation of unbelievers, determined before time. Marsden and Forster are keen to show that it is the corporate election of people groups that is in view in Romans 9 more than the question of individual salvation. I find myself in much agreement with both and some disagreement and hope to offer something of a middle path! This is written in the context of work with University Christian Unions who hold to an evangelical doctrinal basis of faith which does not go into detail about the mechanics of election. Therefore I want to be clear that people with a wide spectrum of understandings of this subject will gather round the campfire of the gospel.

What is evident is that this chapter was written on a tear-stained manuscript. The subject of adoption is not one for cold analysis but for tender hearted, compassionate, heart-wrenching consideration. Its a question about real people who matter to us.

The opening (1-5)

In the opening section Paul says he would rather he himself was accursed if that would save the Israelites of his day. Its clear from Romans 1-8 that the Christ is the only viable substitute for people to bring them from Adams helpless race into the new humanity that God is forming. Paul could not do this. The comment therefore reflects the depth of his concern for his countrymen. There is also an Old Testament allusion here as Paul adopts the same posture in his day as Moses did in Exodus 32 for the people after they formed and worshipped the golden calf something representative of all their subsequent whoredom. The LORD declined Moses desire too, but we catch something of the responsibility Paul feels for his own people though he is set on a journey to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, even to Spain with the help of the Roman church. Were given a summary of all the privileges of Israel to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ Those who came out of Egypts slavery did so a collective adopted son. They saw the glory of the LORD, they entered covenant with him, received the law at Sinai, were given priesthood and tabernacle worship. They held the promises of God as a people. They had the patriarchs, Abraham, Issac and Jacob. And, the Christ himself is an Israelite. Everything was available to these people. There is no lack of revelation. And this provokes the question that will open the next section.
The Christ is an Israelite the stumbling stone

Gen
Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) Covenants Promises Sodom destroyed

Ex
Pharaoh Adoption Covenants, Law Worship (Tabernacle) Golden Calf

Hosea Isaiah

2000BC

1500BC

500BC

Objection 1: Has Gods word failed.

Isaiah says that the word of God does not return empty. That is written in a beautiful passage that is true but cant be taken alone. Much of Isaiahs ministry was fruitless in

terms of bring people to repentance, indeed he reduced them as God had promised to a remnant. If Israel have all the privileges spoken of in the previous section, then that raises a question about the effectiveness of Gods revelation. Except, says Paul, the word of God hasnt failed, it was simply never the case that everyone in Israel was a true believer. In generation 1, Abraham had two sons. One born by the flesh (Ishmael, his firstborn) and the other born by promise. The younger, Isaac, inherited. The older didnt. Then, Isaacs sons Jacob and Esau were born. Before these twins were born God spoke to say that the younger would be served by the older. It is sometimes observed that Genesis teaches the idea of primogeniture. More often it subverts it. The firstborn repeatedly doesnt inherit as God calls the unexpected one. The younger is chosen over the older before birth, before they had done good or bad. Some make a lot of the before birth and extrapolate a line that gets close to determinism. There can be room for this but I wonder if were better to understand that Gods purpose of election is being secured away from behaviour or inheritance rights but rather in him who calls. The reason that the scoundrel Jacob inherited rather than the scoundrel Esau is not because Jacobs works were less evil than his brother they were both awful but because behaviour and birthrights simply arent the basis on which someone ever leaves Adam and joins to Christ. Its always about Gods intervention, about his promise not about us. This takes us through verses 6-12 and is not particularly difficult to understand or appreciate. Its the wonder of grace. Its not about me but about what God has done. Hallelujah. Then Paul quotes Malachi Jacob I loved. The first three words are fine. but Esau I hated. And the wheels fall off the election wagon. There is no point pretending this is easy. However, I think we can say that Paul is using this quote to explain the storyline. Jacob, because of Gods promise, entered into the unbreakable love that is in Christ. He was loved salvifically. Esau, was sorrowful but unrepentant (as Hebrews 12 reports), was opposed by God. Finally facing the wrath that all deserve. Marsden and Forster highlight that in Malachi there is an emphasis on the nations Jacob and Esau represent (Israel and Edom), but the chapter seems also to be individual.

We should also say that Paul is being deliberately provocative. Grace is magnified in election but this never implies Universalism. People remain in Adam. People remain walking towards death. If we dont feel some sense of discomfort with this being described in this way we wouldnt find ourselves raising the next objection. There are unresolved issues here but Paul had led us to ask the question: Is God unrighteous.

Objection 2: Is God unrighteous?

The question is first phrases as Is there injustice from God but justice and righteousness go together in Romans. We move forward in the Bibles plot from Genesis to the Exodus. Paul cites from Exodus 32 that God has compassion on whom he has compassion. This is the kind of phrase that ends up in worship songs. We like it. The LORD, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. But, if that then this: God hardens whom he hardens. The alarm bells sound. Who gets compassion? Moaning, groaning, oppressed and broken-spirited Israel. Who gets hardened? Pharaoh. Pharaoh is a member of Adams race. Exodus reports both that Pharaoh hardened his heart and that God hardened Pharaohs heart. He is no innocent victim. He is a Serpent-Seed in the Biblical story who has set himself up against God, presuming to oppress and hold captive Gods people. Again and again God is patient with him but in the end Pharaoh faces judgement for his unrepentant opposition to the Christ. God has done this so that his power might be seen in the nations. He has played out this greatest prophecy of the cross on the global political stage to show us what will come and to show his power in that moment. As a picture of the cross it shows us that evil will finally face justice that is righteous. And in its own time it serves to spread the gospel of Christ to the nations, to the many who choose to join Israel think of Rahab a Canaanite Prostitute, one who might be excluded if it depended on birthright or behaviour, but who by the purpose of God in election joins the family of the Christ. This is textbook divine righteousness for the Triune God. The cross is the Exodus fulfilled and shows us a foretaste of evil being justly judged. The righteousness and wrath of God are revealed in the gospel as wrath is averted from those who believe as the sins left unpunished receive justice.

This will finally happen at the end of time. But in the meantime Gods purpose is one of great patience with the world. To those who receive his compassion and to those who harden themselves to him. Im not convinced that Romans 9 tells us that God hardens the hearts of our friends and family. He may but the emphasis here seems different. The greater testimony of the New Testament is the warning: today if you hear his voice, dont harden your heart. A challenging call to the Israelites of Pauls day who have heard and yet reject the Christ.

Objection 3: Why does God blame us?

Nonetheless if salvation is located in the heart of God he freely chooses compassion or hardening how can we be held to account? Paul opens with a familiar biblical image, one that appears in worship songs. There is a potter and there is clay. Two actors to fill the roles, God and humanity. Its evident that God should be the potter in this image. Its not an allegory that suggests humanity bears every property of clay clearly were made in Gods image with great dignity. It is rather a comparative picture. And, an instructive picture. God forms us. He forms two types of people as previously shown in chapter 5, there are those in Adam and those in Christ so there are vessels used honourably and vessels used dishonourably. Some would read a predetermination here, but as Ill show Im not persuaded that rigid categories apply here. The image develops and becomes harder to stomach. People who live honourably and people who live dishonourably is ok. Vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy is a harder way to put it though as Romans 1-8 shows we know that some will face wrath finally while others face mercy. Even more difficult is the phrasing vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. Again here we might read that this is predetermined. As in the objection: Does God just make some people to populate hell? Some evangelicals hold to this view. But, the text says he endured with much patience, vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. That means God isnt bringing destruction on such people but patience. This is similar to the argument in Romans 1-2 which tells of Israel being allowed to sin greatly (from the golden calf and onwards), as a demonstration of the patience and kindness of God that was meant to lead them to repentance. They didnt repent and God was defamed by the nations who mocked Israel and their God for his lack of diligence and judgement on them.

Similarly here it seems to me that God is being patient with people who live as vessels of wrath, like Pauls phrase children of wrath in Ephesians 2. And he does that so that the riches of his mercy might be made known to vessels of mercy, even from the Gentiles. Patience leading to repentance. He then quotes Hosea, who speaks of the Christ alluring back his whoring people for a renewed marriage, saying that those who were not my people will become my people and those who did not know my love will become my beloved. The point here seems to be that categories and labels are changed by the gospel being received. If you are a vessel of wrath you can become a vessel of mercy. If you are in Adam you can die and rise with Christ and in Christ. As, in Ephesians 2, children of wrath become children of God. From Adam Christ From Dishonourable Vessel Honourable Vessel From Vessel of Wrath Vessel of Mercy From Child of Wrath Child of Mercy From not my people My people From not my beloved My beloved There is marital intent from the LORD here towards people Gods purpose of election is alluring not alienating. Its interesting to note that the chiastic structure of Romans 58 centres on the marriage illustration in Romans 7, and in citing Hosea the theme recurs here. Paul sees God being patient with Israel in their rejection of Christ but until final judgement this is not final. Hope remains, though in the end only a remnant may be found to have received the Christ. Then he concludes citing Isaiah if the LORD of hosts had not left us offspring but for his intervention wed all be Sodom and Gomorrah, ashes and dust. How astounding that Im alive. And furthermore, the real issue for Jews and Gentiles alike is that the Christ is a stone of stumbling. Some embrace him and build on him, but many trip over him and oppose him.

Why are my friends and family not believers?

Not because theyre in the wrong family or people group. Not because theyre too bad or too good.

Rather, God is patiently giving opportunity for people to receive Christ. But, many when faced with him stumble over him. People have followed Adam into sin and death, and stumbled over Christ. What to do? Romans 10 will say tell people of the Christ. Know that he hold out his arms all day long for people to turn to him and live. We need particularly to ensure that those who do stumble stumble over Christ and not over any other offense we create. There is no discouragement to mission here moments before Romans 10 and in a letter written to mobilise support for mission to Spain that is inconceivable. Rather Paul reflects on the Scriptures and has hope for salvation. Paul is still continuing his argument that grace is to abound all the more than sin ever did. Mark Horne. It is Gods great intent that though his patience with Adams helpless race discredits his justice daily, he will allure people into his family, by marital union with Christ he will have Jews and Gentiles adopted into his family on the basis of the LORD, on the basis of the love of the Triune God, on the basis of the glorious gospel of the Christ who is Jesus. Let me think that what my friends and family need is Christ. Let me share heavens anguish and sorrow in the days and months and years of patient endurance that can lead to repentance. His hands are open, sorrowful that those who might come to enjoy his love still whore after others gods instead of finding their life in his family.

Further resources
Commentaries on Romans PNTC, BST, RML, Encountering the Book of Romans. Piper The Justification of God Marsen & Forster Gods Strategy in Human History Mark Horne - http://www.hornes.org/mark/2010/01/notes-on-the-scary-stuff-inromans-9