Our Study in the Book of Romans continues with Ch. 10, verses 14-21. The preceding verses are some of the most well-known among Christians. Many of us were guided to faith by someone who quoted at least verses 9-10. But this passage has a broader context. Paul has been explaining the roll of Israel, the Jews, in God’s grand design. Here’s a spoiler for you. He’s not done yet. Over the next few lessons, we’ll explain in greater detail what that means.

Now we come to the heart of the matter. In the midst of Paul's explanation of the Jews' role in and rejection of the good news of Jesus the messiah comes the text which is probably most familiar to the Christian except for John 3:16. Many if not most of us had it read or quoted as we made our own journey to faith. But did we get the whole message? Though it is simple enough for a child to understand and receive, too often important parts get left out. Listen in as we continue our study with Romans 10:5-13.

Our study continues with Romans 10:1-4. Paul says of his people who have not believed, "they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." And, "not knowing about the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." vs 2-3. They didn't understand that they could never work their way into being right with God. Only Jesus makes that possible. Today, we think we know better, but we can still fall into the trap of thinking that it's all about how well we can follow the rules. We judge others who we don't think are doing it as well as we are, or interpret the rules differently than we do. The truth is that none of us can do it without Jesus.

Righteousness is a word we don't hear much outside of the church. What is it? How does one attain to it? You may have heard it defined as right-standing with God. Since God Himself is called righteous, this definition seems incomplete. However, it serves us well in regard to man's relationship to Him. Jesus, while being no less God for having done so, took on flesh and lived among us as a man. Being without sin, walking in perfect obedience to the Father, He can certainly be called righteous by this definition. Thus, even if we limit ourselves to this meaning, we may say that God is righteous.

Our study of Romans continues this week with Chapter 9, verses 30-33. Here, Paul contrasts the Gentiles with the people of Israel. How is it that Israel, having the law of God and keeping it so meticulously, has missed the goal, yet heathens who weren't even trying have attained it? Paul gives us the answer with the question. It is because of faith. More specifically, faith in the all-sufficient work of Jesus. The road to righteousness is walked by faith, and the destination is reached only because the righteous One walks with us.

"It's not fair!" I doubt you can find a child anywhere who hasn't made that accusation. They might even be right once in a while, because sometimes we're not, and we make mistakes. Many a grownup has replied, "Life's not fair."

It becomes a very different conversation when one of the participants is God. Dare we accuse Him of injustice? We all know the right answer to that question, but I think it is safe to say that most of us have wrestled with it. He is the creator. We are the created. From where did we get this offended sense of fairness?

As we have progressed through Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, we have been shown the grace and love of god for us, though we do not deserve it. He has now turned his attention to the people of Israel, who have largely rejected their promised messiah. He has shown how from the beginning God chose whom he would favor, and whom he would harden for His purposes. He takes the obvious question head-on. How can God judge if He has made us what we are and we can do only as He wills? The stark answer, "Who are you to ask?"

This does not take away from the other things we know about God. He defines good. He defines truth. He defines love. His promises remain, and if we choose Him, we need not fear whether we are among those not chosen. But here we are reminded that He is God, and we are not. This week we cover Romans 9:19-29.

Priscilla speaks of some things that are happening around us and urges us to share the Gospel.

We continue our progress through the book of Romans in Chapter 9, verses 14-18. Paul continues his explanation of how God worked in history to bring about His purpose through the Jewish people. He takes head on the questions we might be asking. God seems to be playing favorites in a completely arbitrary manner. How is this right? The answer is simply that He is God and He does as He pleases.

As we study passages like this one, it is helpful to remember the other things we know about God. As the creator of everything that is, he defines what is good and what is just. He cannot lie, so we know that He will keep His word. Theologians will argue over free will until He returns and sets us all straight, but all we need to know is that "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

We continue our study with Romans 9:6-13. Here Paul begins to address questions or misconceptions that might arise when considering the rejection of the Messiah by His people. Are God's promises void? Is he unable to keep them? Can fault be found n His actions? Absolutely not! (v 14) Paul begins his explanation by pointing out that God's promise was never to everyone born of Abraham. Neither is it to everyone born of Israel (v 6.)