Romans 9:18 So you see, God shows mercy to some just because he wants to, and he chooses to make some people refuse to listen. This has always been a point that amazes and kind of saddens me. God created and creates some people to refuse to listen, to be the “bad guys” in history. For example, He made Pharaoh in Egypt refuse to listen and let the Israelites go so that He could show His glory through the situation. He chose Jacob, but rejected Esau (even before they were born). So, God makes some people bad in order that His glory may be shown more clearly. I guess it’s kind of like bad things happening. God could stop all of them and we’d never suffer, but then God’s miraculous provision and mercy wouldn’t be as obvious. I don’t think we’d depend on Him as much if we never had a need. So, God’s allowing or creating some people to be the bad guys makes His glory and His love and His mercy shine that much more significantly. Maybe that’s why God still saves those people who are on death row for horrible crimes against people. He made them, too, and maybe they’re like Pharaoh, chosen to reject God for a purpose, but given a chance for repentance in the end so that all people may come to know the love of Christ. That’s pretty hard to fathom, and I’ve never understood how God could love some people like child molesters and murderers who torture people. But if I look at it in light of this verse (and the other ones in context), it makes a little more sense.
Romans 7:19 When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. This sounds like Paul was having one of those days where no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t do it right. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to try to explain these concepts for the first time. Although, since it’s God-inspired it might not have been as hard as I think. Regardless of how it was written, this is one of those passages that people read, and then reread, and then scratch their head and reread, to try and get the point. The Blue Letter Bible actually puts each verse on its own line, which is annoying sometimes, but in this case is really helpful because I can read each verse of this sometimes confusing passage individually, helping me make more sense of it. In some ways it sounds like Paul’s saying, “It’s not my fault!” But he clearly acknowledges his sinful nature’s role in poor decision making. Heaven knows I feel this way sometimes, when everything I do seems to be the wrong thing… or when I know what the right thing to do is, but don’t do it. For example, where I work it’s very easy to speak negatively about things, and even though I know that’s not the right thing to do, I often get sucked into that negativity because of my frustration with things. So, I know the right thing to do, but don’t do it. Sigh. Thankfully, God is merciful and oh, so patient! So, every time I mess up (again) He forgives me, and I can try again.