God Acts with Righteousness and Mercy

Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 9:14-29. God has not shown any unrighteousness in His dealings with people. His mercy and compassion were on full display for Israel in the aftermath of their gross idolatry with the golden calf. Pharaoh’s calloused heart could not stand in the way of God accomplishing His merciful purpose for His people either. He remains God; we remain His creatures. He remains the potter; we remain the clay. He endures with patience those who set themselves against Him and so make themselves ripe for His destruction, all the while making known His riches to those whom He has prepared for His glory. This is true for Jew and Gentile alike. As God works out salvation in Christ, He remains the sole actor in complete righteousness. This has been true throughout the Old Testament; God has always mercifully preserved a remnant in Christ. “The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.