Creator, Father, King #292

God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.

FIND A COIN. ANY coin will do.

Wherever it’s from, whatever monetary value it represents, it likely has separate images and inscriptions on the front and back. There are two sides to every coin. And if yours doesn’t have two sides? Well, sorry . . . you’ve got a bogus piece of change.

As we continue exploring the doctrine of election, we need to understand both sides of the coin, so to speak, of this beautiful but challenging truth: If God sovereignly elected before Creation to save some people in spite of their sins through Christ, the flip side is that he sovereignly elected in eternity past to pass over others because of their sins for eternal judgment.

This is the doctrine of reprobation. It’s as deep, mysterious, and controversial as they come!

What’s It Mean?

Let’s be honest: election is a lot easier for us to swallow than reprobation. This is often because we fail to grasp—or accept—the depths of human depravity. Nevertheless, the fact remains: apart from Christ, we are all hopelessly lost in our sins (Romans 3).

In electing some to salvation, God showed amazing love and mercy. In passing over others (reprobation), God simply left them to their sinful rebellion and enacted righteous judgment. God never condemns the innocent or judges unjustly.

Perhaps you’re wondering, Why didn’t God choose to save everyone? The apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 9:23: “To make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.”

This is part of Paul’s much larger discussion on election and reprobation in Romans chapter 9. In the end, Paul leaves our questions about election and reprobation with this question to consider: “Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God?” (Romans 9:20).

God’s sovereignty in election and reprobation are inscrutable, and we must accept that. To accuse God of misstep or injustice here is the height of folly and arrogance. Rather than ask, “Why didn’t God save everyone?,” our question should be, “Why did God choose to graciously save any?”

He is God. We are not. We can trust in his sovereignty, goodness, and love, even if we don’t always perfectly understand all his ways!

Now What?

Prayerfully read Romans 9 as you seek to grow in your understanding of this challenging but important truth.

Did You Know?

Besides Romans 9, Matthew 11:25-26; Romans 11:7; 1 Peter 2:8; and Jude 1:4 all speak of reprobation.