“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction” (Romans 9:22).
TEXT —Romans 9:19-26
Message
In his book, A Biblical View of Civil Government, Robert Culver emphasizes God’s sovereignty over all human authority, stating that democratic theory is as unscriptural as a divine right monarchy. He argues that all forms of rulership, whether attained through dynastic descent, family connections, material resources, or democratic election, ultimately derive power from God. Culver asserts that civil government is merely an instrument, not an end in itself, with citizens and their belongings ultimately belonging to God, not the state. God has never granted the state rights of eminent domain.
In today’s passage, Apostle Paul asserts that God, as the sovereign Creator, can shape human destinies according to His will. Humans, being limited and created beings, are not in a position to question God’s decisions or purposes. This serves as a reminder of the vast gulf between divine and human understanding, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).
God’s interactions with humanity involve both wrath and mercy, displaying the depth of His character. His patience with those who rebel against Him displays His power and justice, while His mercy towards the obedient highlights His glory and grace. This complexity underscores the intricacies of God’s redemptive plan. In the story of the Pharaoh of Egypt and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, we see how God’s mercy endures until their iniquity reaches its limit. Additionally, God’s plan extends beyond the Jewish people to include Gentiles, as foretold in Scripture. This inclusivity, as shown through references to Hosea and Paul’s teachings, reveals God’s sovereign plan to unite diverse people in faith.
Believers are, thus, encouraged to trust in God’s sovereign plan, even when it is beyond their understanding. This trust involves accepting God’s authority and purposes without challenging His decisions. Recognising themselves as objects of God’s mercy should lead believers to a profound sense of gratitude and humility. Understanding that their inclusion in God’s family is an act of divine mercy, not personal merit, fosters a deeper appreciation of God’s grace. This should encourage a spirit of unity and acceptance within the Christian community.
Thought for the day
God does not only rule over all things, He overrules our imperfections.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
