Romans 53

Election, Righteousness and the Purpose of God

Brian Kocourek

In our reading from the Book of Romans this morning we shall cover the rest of Chapter nine. In this chapter however, there are three important principles that Paul is laying out in these following verses. We will try to touch upon these principles this morning as we read. These principles are “Election, Righteousness and the purpose of God.” Therefore, we shall subtitle this message this morning, “Election, Righteousness and the purpose of God.”

Romans 9:9 ¶ For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10 And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac; 11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Before we progress in our study, I would like to stop for just a moment and look at what Paul just said here. He said, God hated Esau even before he had been born and had a chance to do evil. Even before he was born and had a chance to reject the Birthright. This word hate that is used here is also used in John 3:20.

JOHN 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Now, notice…It says “every one that doeth evil hateth the light.” Then what comes first, the doing of evil or the hating of the light. Is a man a liar because he lies, or does he lie because he is a liar. Is a man a thief because he steals or does he steal because he is a thief. What we express is what we are. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Therefore, is it a bad thing for God to hate before the person does evil, knowing what the person is going to do, because it is in their nature to reject the Light, and if they reject the light then all that remains for them is to do evil. They can’t help themselves. It is their nature to do so. And this is the argument that Paul is making as we continue.

11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Now, right away we see that Paul is speaking of the purpose of God. Therefore we know that God has a purpose. The word Purpose that Paul chose to use here is the Greek word, Prothesis which simply means 1) a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view . Purpose.

Webster tells us the word purpose is something one intends to do, so it has to do with ones intentions, or aim. He goes on to say, it is the object for which something exists. Therefore, it has to do will fulfillment and is not something that is accidental in nature, but rather it shows design and intent.

Now, Paul is telling us that God has a purpose, he has a motive or a reason for His actions. A purpose. Therefore, it behooves us to know that purpose, if we are to know Him. What He is, and why He does what He does. How many times you here people say, I don’t know why God would do this or that. But God has a purpose, and if we are to know God, we must know His purpose. Because, as Jesus said, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”. And if we are to know God, then we must know His thoughts; what is in His mind, and what is His main purpose of being.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. Here we find that not only does Paul testify that God has a purpose, but if we Love Him, and if we are in the purpose of God, then all things will work together for our Good. Therefore, if we could just know Him, and Know His purpose for us, for our life, then we would also know that whatever would happen to us, it is for our good. Paul then, as God’s vindicated mouth piece, tells us that God Loves us and is watching out for our best interest. Now, we don’t always know what is best for us, but we can have this assurance. That He knows.

Jesus said in Luke 12:6, Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Matt 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore, if God has this purpose, then He must stand behind it. In other words, His Omnipotence has a purpose also, and that is to stand Behind His Purpose. And we know that God stands behind His purpose, right?

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Now, this verse tells us that part of God’s great purpose is to give us an inheritance. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, is what he is speaking of here. “being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will”.

So we see that predestination, and more specifically, our own predestination comes forth from God’s own purpose. “being predestinated according to the purpose of him”. God’s own purpose in which He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will”. And this word worketh is the energeo of god. energeo {en-erg-eh'-o} It means to show forth (one's) self. And therefore, is the expression of the one doing the work. It is an effectual fervent effort on behalf of the one it is directed towards.

It is for yours and my benefit as we see in I CORINTHIANS 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, energema or energes, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. And what is the purpose behind the energes of God being utilized for you and me? 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Therefore, the purpose of God stands in Election as Paul declares, because after all, God fulfills Himself through His Elect just as you and I receive fulfillment and therefore purpose through our children. .

Church Age Book "God being a Saviour, it was necessary that He predestinate a man who would require salvation in order to give Himself reason and purpose of being."

EPHESIANS 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Now, then how does this verse line itself with what Paul said in Ephesians chapter one and Romans chapter 9? In Ephesians 1 he tells us we were in Christ before the worlds were formed.

II TIMOTHY 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Comes from the root protithemai 1) to place before, to set forth; to set forth to be looked at, expose to view; 2) to set before one's self, propose to one's self; to purpose, determine

ROMANS 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

EPHESIANS 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

middle voice from pro meaning to go or set before and tithemi {tith'-ay-mee} 1d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse 2) to make; (or set) for one's self or for one's use 3) to set, fix establish 3a) to set forth 3b) to establish, ordain

Now, thus far we have established that God has a set purpose and that this purpose might be made known, he predestinated a people to manifest This purpose. Paul said, , that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. In other words, if God allowed works to dictate, then His own purpose would not be absolute. But that God’s purpose would be absolute, , that the purpose of God according to election might stand, then it is not of works, but of him that calleth

Now, thus far we have seen #1) that God has a purpose and #2) that purpose is revealed or made known though election. Ireneaus said, "God being a Saviour, it was necessary that He predestinate a man who would require salvation in order to give Himself reason and purpose of being.”

Now, that we have addressed these two principles that Paul is laying down here, let’s look at the third principle, and that is Righteousness.

Romans 9: 14 ¶ What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? Paul addresses the issue here of the righteousness of God. And he simply states that just because God’s purpose is in Election does not take away from His Righteous judgments. He asks the question, ¶ What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? And He answers, God forbid.

Then in verse 15 he begins to tell us how the mercy of God operates. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. In other words, God is God and no one is going to tell Him how to operate His program.

Paul then, is actually bringing in another principle here known as sovereignty. He is declaring that God is Sovereign. In other words, His decisions, and His judgments stand alone. God is God and there is not another beside Him. Then Paul goes on to show us how God manipulated the will of pharaoh and hardened his heart that God’s will might reign supreme.

ISAIAH 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

^{Masoretic text Daniel 4:24}"This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king. ²⁵ You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.

^{Masoretic text Isaiah 40:10} See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. ¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. ¹² Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? ¹³ Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? ¹⁴ Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? ¹⁵ Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

Now, look how Paul treats the subject of God’s sovereignty. Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 [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: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

From the Masoretic text, we read. 22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--

So we see that God even had a purpose behind allowing pharaoh to seem to have power and control when in actuality he only had what God allowed Him to have, and when God was through with Him, there was nothing he could do about it, he was through.

Then what about you and me? What about those people who know that they should be living for God and won’t do it. They know we are at the end-time and yet they continue to live any old way they please. Do you think they will get by with it? I think not. These people are just storing up wrath against the day of wrath, and their judgment is not far off, for the days are getting shorter, and the clock is clicking closer and closer to the great depression that will strike this world. And since they have not been storing up their treasure in the heaven (the only real safe haven for treasures they will most certainly lose everything they have worked for.

When the banks fail, and the economy fails, and the supply lines fail, and no man can buy or sell unless he has taken the mark of the beast, what are you going to do then? Jesus said, in LUKE 12:33, Sell what ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Now, in getting back to Romans 9:25 ¶ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut [it] short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Now, let’s just stop here and look at what Paul quoted. He said, For he will finish the work, and cut [it] short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth… Now, in order for this to happen, the Lord has to be here right? For he said, “a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrha. 30 ¶ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Now, here is the KEY and that is Faith. Paul said earlier in chapter nine, ROMANS 9:4 to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises; All these things belonged to them, and were meant for them to have and possess, but these things were meant to be received by Faith, and since they could not receive it by Faith, they therefore lost what they had hoped to have.

MATTHEW 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Then if you are not God’s Elect, you never will come to an understanding of the Truth. The Truth which is God’s great treasure to us, will never be your treasure. You never will possess it, because it is not meant for you to have. Because it is meant to be received by Faith, and if you have not the Faith of Christ, you will never receive the fruits of that faith. And that is what the righteousness of God is all about. God’s right-wise-ness being understood. The mind of God in His Sons and daughters, allowing them to know God’s great purpose and plan for His kids. Allowing us to know His inheritance in the saints.

PHILIPPIANS 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

I COR 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Now, we have no righteousness of our own. Righteousness means right wise-ness and we have no right wise ness of our own. ISAIAH 64:6 ¶ But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

God said, ISAIAH 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

GENESIS 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

DEUTERONOMY 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

PSALMS 11:7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

II PETER 1:1 ¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

PSALMS 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

PSALMS 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. PSALMS 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. PSALMS 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God [is] judge himself. Selah.