Is there unrighteousness with God?

The reason why I ask the question is because for many God is not fair, they believe. Is this accusation true? Are there times in our lives where we feel we have been dealt a bad hand by God and He can longer be trusted? Perhaps we prayed to God for something and it did not come to pass, or He did not answer our prayer the way we expected Him to? Also, God takes way too long in answering our petitions. What is God’s problem – Is He even listening to us? If God is love, shouldn’t we get what we want from Him? Would it be safe to say some believe God is “obligated” to meet their need since they are good (in their own eyes of course)?

Yes, let us be honest. We have all felt that way. In fact, some of you feel that way right now as you are reading this article. And sadly for some, they have turned their backs on God never to trust Him again because they feel they have been let down by God too many times to count. They have concluded this God everyone talks about is no longer real.

That pretty sums up the human mindset doesn’t it? When it comes to God we instinctively expect Him or some have the nerve to even demand that whatever God does for one person, He must do for everyone else. In other words, we want and expect God to be fair. For if He is not (by our definition of fairness), we assume He is unrighteous; showing favor to some while not extending that same favor to everyone else.

This brings me to the reason for this article, how God saves sinners. Yes, this is an area I covered many times before, but I am compelled to cover it again. Reminders are good when they serve a worthwhile purpose.

In Romans 9:10-21 we read, “And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man. Even our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, ‘The older shall serve the younger.’” As it written, “Jacob I have loved but Esau I have hated.”

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but God who shows mercy. For the scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore, He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

You will say to me then. “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will? But indeed O man who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to Him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from same lump to make one vessel for honor an another for dishonor (or common use)?

What shall we say then? The Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law (Rom 9:30-32).

Now, let’s review. The reason why Paul presents the question, “Is there unrighteousness with God?” “Certainly not” because he knew his readers would ask that question regarding election. Paul presents the question before his opponents ask it.

Divine or sovereign election is a difficult doctrine for us as humans to accept. That is why it is not often taught in many evangelical churches; it is taboo, and it yet again, it brings God’s fairness into question.

A perfection illustration is used by Paul regarding divine election, Jacob and Esau. God tells their mother Rebecca that two nations were in her womb, and that the older would serve the younger (Gen 25:23).

The nation of Israel descended from Jacob, and the Edomites descended from Esau. God chose Jacob over Esau. Why? Because God sovereignly chose to do so; He extended mercy and compassion to Jacob while not extending those same virtues to Esau. Was Jacob more attractive, more spiritual or stronger, or had more money than Esau? No. They were twins, born at the same time. Other than a difference in hair color on the body and occupation, they were the same.  

As the text tells us, God made the decision to choose Jacob over Esau before they were born – in their mother’s womb. This was divine election at work. Was it unfair of God to choose one son over the other? In many person’s eyes YES it was unfair. Many would question God’s righteousness protesting, “What Jacob received from the Lord Esau should get it to!"

That is not how the Lord operates. God will not be governed by corrupt human politics. We must not put God on trial in a human court, and levy charges of unrighteousness, and unfairness from our lips against Him.

As we just read in verse 20, “But indeed O man who are you to reply against God?” Will the thing formed say to Him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

We as the clay or pot do not have the right to complain against our maker, the Potter; foolish!!

Since God is autonomous and can do whatever He wants to do with man, He can predestine who He wants for salvation. What predestine means is that God decided before the foundation of the world to save  sinners. Who He chose is I believe a forever mystery. Why He chose some is not a mystery. God chose to save some because of His glorious grace, and that it gave Him pleasure to do so (Eph 1:5-6).

Please remember those whom God chose do not deserve it; otherwise it would not be grace, it would be a debt God owed to man. And, what about those not chosen like Esau (we do not know who they are, that is why we preach the gospel to all men)? Did God predestine them for damnation? Some scholars of old believe that – I do not. What the Bible makes clear is all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). We all were destined for destruction until the love of Jesus came and we believed the gospel and were saved.

There have been those who teach that Paul is not talking about divine election unto salvation in these passages regarding Jacob and Esau, but only choosing for service. I disagree. Would Paul anticipate the opponent’s objection of God’s righteousness if only service was in view? No. Paul knew there would be resistance to the doctrine of election, and that is why He said there is no unrighteousness with God because divine election is the subject He is writing to the Roman Christians about.

There is no unrighteousness with God, ever. Just because we do not always understand God’s ways, does not mean He is unrighteous. We are the ones who are unrighteous by nature. And because of our unrighteousness, God the Father in eternity past decided He would send His only begotten Son to die a sinner’s death and redeem mankind by the shedding of His innocent blood. Those who would believe would be saved. Those who refuse to believe would be damned which is indeed righteous and just.

By God not choosing all, He is not being unjust. God is being fair and just. It is always just and fair to punish evil doers which all of us are. None of us are innocent in God’s sight apart from Christ. We have no right to demand that God saves us or provide any other blessing.  Rather, all men should plead with God to have mercy on them and forgive their sins. That takes humility and admitting your wickedness which sinful men are unwilling to do.

The only thing left for God to do is punish man when he rejects the gospel truth.  Why? Because Jesus is the only way, truth, and life to salvation (John 14:6).

Here is the fate of all men: “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already (italics mine), because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

Jesus provides tremendous insight here in one verse. The entire world was already condemned and guilty before Jesus came in His incarnation. Romans 1 tell us that we all know God exists by what He has made and also by conscience – that inward faculty makes it clear to us that God is real. So therefore, we are without excuse. But, since man is evil, he suppresses the truth in unrighteousness validating His condemnation (Rom 1:18-32). When Jesus arrived on the scene who is the true light that lights every man (italics mine) that comes into the world, man is even more culpable for the revelation he receives. To reject The Light that is Jesus Christ is to heighten one’s just condemnation. To believe in The Light is to have your just condemnation removed, be justified and to be translated in the kingdom of the Lord (Col 1:13).