Crooked sticks. Romans 9.

So, like most of us, unless you are a die hard “Calvinist”, or a died in the wool “Arminian”, you probably don’t give much thought to the argument that has been waged over the centuries since the time of John Calvin. You know, I’m talking about the doctrine of free will, versus the concept of election. After all, these are both taught in scripture. But does one stand over the other?

Romans chapter 9 is one of several places where the concept of election is heralded. It is one of the hallmarks quoted by Calvinists. However, while the doctrine of election is clearly articulated here, it is in light of Paul’s passion for his Jewish brethren. He starts the chapter out by stating such. Yet he quickly turns to leaning clearly on God’s will, not his own. Paul would have his own brethren saved to the peril of his own salvation. We should be quick to see however here that the point he is clearly making is that salvation is not an entitlement. We see this “non-entitlement” thought clearly delineated in the 4th chapter of Romans as well where Paul states that if Abraham had earned it, his righteousness would be a paycheck, and not the result of his faith. His circumcision came after his faithfulness as a sign of his commitment to his Lord; he was right with God because of his faith, not because of his circumcision. In this, the 9th chapter, Paul releases the electrifying non-entitlement statement that “not all who are descended from Israel ‘are’ Israel”. He then goes on to point out the chosen lineage coming from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and in the case of Jacob, how he is chosen by God over Esau (Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated … by the way … that term hated, in context here is devoid of ‘passion’. While it does mean “separated”, and “despised”, it is not with the same emotional context as commonly used today – rather it is meant to differentiate directionally where His favor would be pointed). Paul then points out how this lineage is revolutionarily extended to those who are children of Abraham; revolutionarily not because these are Jewish people by race, but rather because it is extended to those who exhibit this same faith that Abraham exhibited; even unto gentiles. There’s nothing in there about keeping the law, wearing phylacteries, or never cutting your curly locks! Abraham received Gods promise (Genesis 12) because of his faith. All those who exhibit this faith are children of Abraham. God has chosen children of the faith to be His lineage. Paul drives this home by quoting Isaiah not once, twice, or three times, but four times – OUCH!

So then, the question arises; which is Paul exhorting us to here, election or faith? Election, which from the Greek “Ekloge” clearly means “God Choosing” those whom He bestows his favor upon. However faith is different. It seems to have implication as to a voluntary act, or an act of the will. Faith is tied directly to the concept of “belief”. In John, when Jesus was questioned as to what the works are that please the Father, His answer was very direct, “The work of the Father is this; “believe” in the one whom He has sent (of course meaning Jesus). That term “believe” is from the Greek Pistueo (pist-yoo-o) which means to have total confidence in, to place your complete trust upon, to have reliance upon … all in direct relation to your eternal salvation. Again, this implies a cognizant “giving up of” reliance upon yourself. This is clearly an act of the will. So are you confused? I am!

One final point of reference as to “who gets in to heaven by which means”. It comes from the 1st chapter of Ephesians. It looks like it’s a banner day for the Calvinists here in the beginning. Paul leads off the inning by stating “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the “will” of God. Sounds like election to me! Then we jump down to verse 4, where again he implies pretty directly (at least some) being chosen by saying “For He ‘chose’ us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” He then goes on to say “In love, He ‘predestined’ us (wow, now that’s a big word with big Calvinist implications) – to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera … all the way down through verse 12. It’s full of this “being chosen” stuff. But then we get to verse 13. Here comes the bottom half of the inning; it seems that the Arminians come up to bat. He says “And You Also” – (obviously meaning a different group of people than he was discussing in the first 12 verses) were included in Christ when you “heard” the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having “believed” you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession (now there’s a whole other discussion about eternal security … which ought to make some of you smile) – to the praise of His glory”. Now wait a minute … first we have to hear, and then we have to believe? Those sound like works? How come we are not chosen in the same vein as the Jews, the Apostles, and Paul?

What does this all me to us Born Again believers in Jesus Christ? Pragmatically speaking with regard to your eternal salvation as it stands right now this minute, not much! I mean from a “mysteries of God” thing, it’s pretty amazing to try and comprehend how it is that God chooses to save. It’s even more amazing that, as Dean Carey used to say, “God chooses to use crooked sticks like us to hit home runs”. He uses us to bring His message of salvation out to the lost. But as far as you personally are concerned, you are Born Again! For you, the work is done, it is complete. You have the Holy Spirit inside of you as a deposit … guaranteeing your salvation. You are crucified with Christ, it is no longer you who lives, but Christ living in you! Why worry about what is out of your control? You know what you have to do … get to doing it … NOW!

There is no need for us to sweat, let alone argue over this. We are commanded to make Disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – teaching them to obey all that He commands. We are not called to decipher if one person is chosen or not, that’s not our gig. Nor are we to decipher “if” He will save them. That’s His job. To you, that care is a distraction! Our job is way big enough. Share the Gospel! And if I read the reaction correctly from so many Christians, the job of fulfilling this “command” is sometimes too much for them (my hats off to all of you folks working in the “discipleship” … education … department at BCC, you get to fix this problem!).

It is certainly a mystery how God chooses to save. To me, it’s even more of a mystery that he would use a “crooked stick” like me to hit one out of the park. God has placed many a pair of eyes in front of us that he has warranted an all out search for. Do something about it! Now that’s a lot to comprehend!

hook's note: Gerry Lefebvre is a long-time member of BCC, plays a mean trumpet, and teaches the Disciplemakers class, Sundays at 11:00am.