Romans 9-11

I was looking at some passages on election yesterday afternoon. Romans 9:11-13: All this is saying is that just like everything in the Christian life, election is based on God's purposes and grace, not on our works. In verse 13, "loved" means "committed to," and "hated" means "not committed to." In verse 16, we're reminded that everything depends on our merciful God. Verses 19-21 of chapter 9 show that God has the rights. We don't. Most of the rest of the chapter deals with God's mercy, and the necessity of faith on our part. The Christian life is by faith, not works. Chapter 10 also deals with faith. In chapter 11, we see that Israel's fall was temporary, until the full number of Gentiles believed in Jesus. Verses 17-24 deals with being cut off and grafted in. The falling away has to do with God's purposes, not individual salvation. If we fall away from God's purposes, we can be restored (see also verse 29). Throughout this chapter, we see that this is not about individuals. Election is about Israel as a nation, and the gentiles as a whole. Righteousness is by faith. Pursue the Lord and His righteousness by faith. These chapters are not in the Bible to make you worry about whether or not you can lose your salvation. Follow hard after Jesus and His purposes by faith, depending on His grace.