When Mercy Overrides Your Theology

Sometimes we come to hotly contested bible passages and find that the contest blinds us to the context. When we see the bigger point of the context, we find that our contested theological systems pale in significance to a much greater wonder in God’s Word. When we see how God has revealed himself to us, his character is placed on glorious display over our debatable theological positions. A classic example of this is found in Romans 11 where we see that God’s mercy is infinitely greater than our debates about Israel.

Consider for a moment these statements from Paul specifically addressing gentile believers about the hope for Israelite non-believers. Rom 11:30-32 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

These and even more specifically the verses leading up to it are hotly contested as theologians attempt to resolve what Paul means when he says in Romans 11:26 that all Israel will be saved. They debate about what “Israel” means and when and how it will happen. Some theologians think that all national Israel (living at the time of the second coming) will be saved sometime in the future just prior to or at Christ’s return. Others think that the total number of saved national Israelites occurs as each individual elect Israelite comes to faith during the era of the New Covenant prior to the second coming (my personal preference). Still others think that Israel has been fulfilled in Christ and now all who come to Christ, both Jews and gentiles, show the whole salvation of Israel. Other people believe that these verses will only be fulfilled in a national Israel in a future millennial age.

I’m not saying the consideration of these details is unimportant. What we believe about Israel and the church affects a lot and shows something about how we interpret Scripture. Even so, this debate is secondary to the main point about our saving God who saves both jews and gentiles. God in his eternal purpose and plan has ordained that his saving mercy is to be on glorious display as he saves both disobedient gentiles and disobedient jews. Consider again vs. 32. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

In verses 30-32, Paul uses the word mercy four times. He helps us to understand the nature of mercy. Mercy is mercy because it is given to disobedient people who deserve judgment. Mercy is mercy because disobedient creatures have no way of their own to appease the wrath of their Creator. Mercy is mercy because nothing can place you in a position of privilege to receive it – not the birth right of a jew and not a gentile claiming favor over disobedient jews. God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all (both gentiles and jews).

Mercy is ordained by God, bestowed by God, to people chosen by God. Mercy is given to people who deserve judgment, and God has clearly displayed that his mercy shows no partiality in the working of his sovereign grace. If you have received the mercy of God, it has been all of God and it has shown his love and grace in choosing that you will no longer be under his eternally, righteous, wrath where you deserve to be in your flagrant love of sin.

Paul doesn’t end chapter 11 in a doxology of praise because he knows the definition of Israel and the timing of their salvation. Paul ends in a doxology of praise because whether jew or gentile, if you in your disobedience receive the mercy of God, it is his glory alone on display in your salvation. Therefore, every redeemed soul on earth can join Paul as he brings his discussion of the sovereignty of God in mercy and grace to an end.

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.