Romans: A 30 Day VisitSample

So Paul poses more questions! What's up with the Jews, he asks? They were the chosen people throughout the Old Testament. Are they just forgotten? How do we all fit into the bigger picture?

Paul explains that it's always been through God's mercy and sovereign choice. This can be hard for us in our generation- we want all the choices and all the options. We want to be the ones in charge.

Verse 16 says, "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy."

What do you see as the benefits of God's mercy being the deciding factor?

God chose Israel to be His people and to reflect Him to the world in a way that would draw people towards the One True God. Even a casual reading of the Old Testament bears witness to their failure to pursue and follow God as His own.

Verse 32 says, "Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works."

From what you've read so far in Romans, how is salvation by faith different than if we were rewarded with salvation for our good works?