Day 340, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Romans 9:1–12:1
The Sovereign, Redemptive Plan of God
Adults and children love parades—the balloons, floats, marching bands, and other forms of colorful entertainment. No one sees all of it unless he is privileged to view it from a high building, blimp, or drone. A parade is sort of like the sovereign redemptive plan of God.
Do you mean that there are clowns, marching bands, and dancers? No, but the spectacle has a design and progression. From ground level, we only see a portion of the grand march, and this is where most of the spectators are.
In today's Bible reading, God gives us perspectives that we can’t see. He is the Grand Marshall and director of the events, and his sovereign plan is found in the Bible.
The people in the parade
How are people chosen to be in the procession? In most cases, they are selected because of their talents and achievements. But in this way, a parade is unlike the sovereign plan of God.
In his redemptive plan, our salvation is not based on achievement or talent but upon God’s grace and mercy. If we want to be forgiven for our sins and receive his mercy and grace, we only need to turn from them and pray to him for salvation. He offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life.
Exclusive or inclusive?
The Jews believe they have special status because they are descendants of Abraham and keep the Law of Moses (referring to the body of moral, civil, and ceremonial laws in the books of Exodus–Deuteronomy). The Apostle Paul recognizes certain privileges of the people of Israel.
Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen (Romans 9:4-5, NIV).
The Jews believe, not only that they are in the procession (the sovereign redemptive plan of God); they think they are the only attraction. However, they can’t see all of it. Paul says, “…it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring” (Romans 9:8, NIV).
When God’s sovereign redemptive plan was revealed, Abraham was placed at the beginning of the line. However, he sought God by faith, not by the Law of Moses. Moses and the Law weren’t in existence at the time of Abraham.
There were many children and grandchildren of Abraham, not just the chosen ones of Isaac and Jacob. What about the others—couldn’t they be allowed to join the procession? The Jews would have said no, but God said yes! God had mercy on the gentiles, the non-Jewish people of the world (Romans 9:22-25, NIV).
How to join God’s parade
Righteousness (the one qualification for being allowed into God’s sovereign, redemptive plan) is by faith, not by works. How do we get righteousness? The word of faith is
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be 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.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile— the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:9-13, NIV).
People need to hear the gospel’s message to be saved and declared righteous. Will we be God’s messengers?
The Purpose of God’s parade
When the Jews refused to follow their Grand Marshall, Jesus Christ, who gave his life for their salvation, they were rejected for a while. Gentiles were then chosen to be in God’s line (i.e., he saved them). Many Jews now look on while God has the Gentiles proceed in the grand march ahead of them.
The sovereign redemptive plan of God is not meant to exclude the Jews but to make them jealous. God still wants them to rejoin the parade later. This will happen when they turn from their sins and recognize the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Gentiles shouldn't boast that they have been allowed to participate because of their talents or achievements (the Jews were chosen first). Jews and Gentiles were not selected for their abilities or accomplishments—they were chosen because of God’s overwhelming grace and mercy. “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Romans 9:16, NIV). There is no call for us to boast about our salvation.
Are we full of ourselves because we have been chosen by God? We need to think again! We need to consider the mercy and grace of God and be thankful, and we need to serve him in humble gratitude.
Discussion
What might the sovereign, redemptive will of God be likened to? Why?
Why is it wrong to boast about our salvation? Testify to God’s mercy and grace to save you.
Focus Verse
Romans 12:1 (NIV) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response: Dear Heavenly Father, you are most gracious. You chose both Jews and Gentiles to be a part of your kingdom. We pray we would share the gospel so many others can be added. May your sovereign and redemptive will be carried out in our lives and service for you. Please, in your faithfulness, meet our needs. Forgive us for our pride, and help us not be too proud to forgive others. Keep us from the temptation of arrogance, and teach us to walk in humility. May all things be done for your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: Because of Grace we have received from God, how should we live? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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