22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.
Message: God's Glory in Salvation
Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.
What the Lord is Saying: Salvation is a manifestation of God's glory. And He alone will receive the glory because God will not share His divine glory. Today's passage is compelling for it reveals much about God and what He does and did in saving sinners. It contrasts two types of people - "vessels of wrath" and "vessels of mercy" to display two works of God - the work of demonstrating His wrath for sinners and then also showing mercy for sinners. Whether in demonstrating wrath or showing mercy, he shows His power.
This is a most interesting passage that I have studied before. It is a sobering truth that some people are on a course of wrath and others on a course for mercy. Only the divine agent knows the difference. And yet God commissions us to share the gospel with everyone, to be involved. But in people's salvation, it is the work of God and His mercy. He shows this mercy in saving us. And yet, His wrath also shows His glory for it shows His justice. For the saved, they will display works of righteousness and God will be glorified through their words and action. For the unsaved, they will display works of destruction and God will not be glorified through their words and actions. Redemption for some and wrath for others, but in both instances God is glorified. His ways are right and true.
The point today, in this passage, is to remind us that God's Glory is displayed in Salvation. In yesterday's lesson we saw His glory made known through creation as God is creator. Man cares for creation and God can even work through man to give him the ability to discover, but ultimately God is our creator. In the same way He saves mankind and He is the author of salvation and the one He saves. Like creation, God involves people and commissions us to make disciples.
Summary: God's Glory is evident in salvation as His glory is shown both on those He shows mercy and those that receive wrath.
Promise: Mediate on the riches of God's grace today so that you will see more clearly the riches of God's glory.
Prayer: O Lord God, you are good and gracious. Your ways are right and true. Lord, I do not understand the intricacy of salvation but I surrender to You always for I know that Your word reminds me that You God save sinners while also judge sinners. I see the difference in some are vessels of wrath and others vessels of mercy. But both are your actions. You are glorified and so I praise You and worship You. I look at myself and the wicked man I am, the sinner, and am amazed at your kindness. Thank you for changing me and giving me a desire for truth and working through me. Be glorified.
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