Are you embarrassed about your spiritual questions? Are you scared of looking foolish? Are you scared of being wrong? We often try to hide our ignorance, but we should resist this. There is too much to be lost if we are wrong. There is even more to be gained when we are right with God. Ignoring the hole in our roof directly harms us and our estate. I am often secretive about my questions, but to no positive end. We should boldly ask questions of God and Christian friends. We might think our questions are humbling, but we can take heart in knowing that God thinks every one of our questions are important and provides every answer we need in his Word. For me, Romans 11:32-36 has become the million-pound anchor for my soul and the answer to my fiery question. It is the grand conclusion of Paul's treatise on Christian salvation.
Romans 11:32 answers the three biggest questions that mankind has ever had or will ever have for God our creator. How did sin enter the world? What is God's purpose in sin and salvation? Who is ultimately saved from God's wrath against sin?
One warning before we continue. These questions are answered clearly and simply, but most people refuse to accept the answers. The reasons that most reject the truth include the fear of man, the loss of investment in other answers, their imaginary god meeting the true God, or rejection of grace in favor of free will. Man's natural condition is to hate salvation by grace and instead to love salvation by self. We should instead be thankful that we are not saved by our free will choice, but by God's free will choice to love us unconditionally. The happy news of the gospel is that Jesus has forgiven us apart from all our choices; in fact he forgave us while we were yet his enemies. As we already discussed, when the obvious is rejected, special tactics may be needed to help unbelievers see what they do not want to see. The truth is still good and true, even for those who reject it.
Our key Scripture, Romans 11:32-36 (WEB), says,
32) For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
33) Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34) 'For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?' 35) 'Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?' 36) For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
There you have it.
So what do you think? Do you see the answers to our three questions?
The remainder of this book will expand on these concepts at length.
