|
Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com
|
Deserved Hatred Romans 9:13
Gods hatred of Esau was a negative hatred in his everlasting decree; but it was, in time, a deserved hatred, a just and righteous hatred. Do not imagine that Esau or any other sinner is damned and goes to hell because of Divine predestination. Nobody goes to hell because God predestinated that they go to hell. Reprobate sinners go to hell because they have earned the wages of sin which must and shall be paid — death, everlasting death in hell (Romans 6:23)
Gods Decree Yes, without question, God predestined the everlasting damnation of the wicked, just as he predestined the everlasting salvation of the righteous (1 Peter 2:8; Jude 4). But he predestined the damnation of the wicked by their wickedness, just as he predestined the salvation of the righteous by righteousness. God predestined the means as well as the end, both of grace and of judgement.
Vessels of Mercy The elect, Jacob, described as vessels of mercy (v. 23), obtain the riches of the glory of God in Christ, being afore prepared unto glory by him. Gods elect are prepared unto glory and made fit for heaven through the obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ (2 Peter 1:2), through the sanctification (regeneration) of the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13), through belief of the truth, by faith in Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13), and through the preaching of the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Gods elect, Jacob, are made fit for heaven in Christ by Gods mighty operations of grace for us and in us (Colossians 1:12-14).
Vessels of Wrath The reprobate, Esau, described as vessels of wrath (v. 22), are fitted for destruction, made fit for hell by their willful rejection of the light God gives them, by their sin, by their unbelief, despising the goodness of God and the Son of God (John 3:36; Proverbs 29:1; Proverbs 1:23-35). If you go to hell, you will go to hell fighting and scratching and clawing, doing everything you can to push God out of your way. If you go to hell, it will be your own fault alone; and Gods everlasting hatred of you will be a hatred that is fully deserved. God hated Esau because Esau despised Christ, represented in the birthright he sold to Jacob for a bowl of pinto beans. Esau went to hell because he chose to pursue the lust of his flesh and despised the Lord Jesus Christ. He went to hell because he fully deserved to go to hell. And, if you go to hell, you will go to hell, not because of Adams sin, not because of your fathers sin, and not because of Gods decree, but because of your own sin (Ezekiel 18:20), because you fully deserve to go to hell. Like the salvation of Gods elect, the damnation of the wicked is always a matter of strict justice. Judgment is always just; but it is his strange work (Isaiah 28:21). Blessed be his name, he delighteth in mercy! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and God will save you by his grace in strict justice, because he has in, by, and with Christ prepared you for glory, by eternal grace.
Don Fortner
|
Pastor Fortners
|