Romans 11:30-36 – To God be the Glory

Topic: To God be the Glory

Reading: Romans 11:30-36

Introduction and Overview

The wondrous grace, compassion, and mercy of God are contained in these few verses. To God be the glory for He has given every person the opportunity of redemption, salvation, and life eternal with Him as children of God. If ever we were to doubt God’s goodness and grace, these scriptures clearly show us that His love for those who choose Him is beyond anything we can even imagine.

This section starts by looking at the disobedience of all people. We were all disobedient, living in lives of sin. But as we read on we find the unimaginable depths of God’s mercy for us in that He has overlooked our sins, our faults, and all of our weaknesses to give us life. What more can we say than: to God be the glory!

Man by himself can do nothing. Looking to the power of man for salvation, or expecting governments to bring peace is foolishness. Only by the word and hand of God is peace ever likely to be found. This is why we should shout from the roof tops, to God be the glory.

Key points from reading:

1. None are worthy for we all suffer the stains of sin and disobedience to God
2. God consigned all of mankind to sin. It was in His plan so that those who choose to come to Him through Christ would receive His abundant mercy, compassion, and love.
3. We may question the ways of God, but His purposes and His ways are so deep we cannot understand them, for who is capable of understanding the mind of God.

Discussion:

1. Scripture: Romans 11:30-31
   • Paul continues here talking about the Gentiles and Jews. Carrying on from prior scriptures, we see that just as we were once disobedient to th will of God, we have now receive mercy. His mercy is received and given to us in Jesus Christ.
   • Christ did for our sins. He died so that by the mercy of God we could receive life. He died so that our sins could be taken away and the penalty of death would no longer loom large over our heads. As I have written in earlier studies, death is the penalty for sin. To receive forgiveness of sin there must be the shedding of blood. Even under the Old Testament law, the blood of animals was shed as a sacrifice for sin.
   • But Jesus died so that we would not have to die. God gave us His Son’s death to receive as our own by the process of baptism, so we could enter the death and resurrection of Jesus and so have our sins removed.
   • The Jews were awaiting the Messiah, but they rejected Him and put Him to death. And in their rejection, the way was opened up for all mankind to come to God through Jesus Christ. Their disobedience allowed us entry into God’s kingdom and to be accepted as His children.
   • We Gentiles received mercy because the Jews were disobedient. But the mercy of God does and will extend to the Jews too. The offering of Jesus is open to all mankind, Gentile or Jew, so that we can come into the kingdom of God.
2. Scripture: Romans 11:32
   • It was the plan of God that all mankind were consigned to sin. He created man and woman, but they were made with a free will to choose their own path. Sadly, Adam and ve chose to reject God and brought sin into the world, and the death penalty was established. They commenced the rule of sin that sits over every person down to this day.
   • But this was within the plan of God. I am sure you have heard people say, “Why couldn’t God just make everyone perfect?” Or words similar to that. The truth is, He could make them perfect. He could make them perfectly obedient. But then what would He have made? Robots? Automatons? Yes men?
   • Instead, He created people who had a choice. He created people who could chose to be with God, or who could reject Him. And when you consider this, what would you prefer for yourself? Would you rather have people around you who were yes men and sycophants, or people who wanted to be with you because they love and respect you? Remember, we are made in the likeness of God and if we would rather have love and respect, so would He.
   • All of which points to the wonder, and majesty of God leading us to say, To God be the glory, for His way is excellent.
3. Scripture: Romans 11:33-35
   • The depths of the mind and the ways of God are unfathomable. No-one can understand the depths of God. And the depth of His love for His people is beyond mere mortal comprehension.
   • Consider this. God owes no one anything. He does not owe you or me anything. He does not have to do anything for anyone. And yet He has chosen you and I to receive everything and to inherit the kingdom of God, to live into eternity with Him and Jesus Christ.
   • Who could ever possibly counsel God on His decisions and His ways? When even Jesus Himself stated that the greatness of the Father was so far above Him that He instructed us to worship God the Father. Jesus Christ who is worthy of our worship shows us that the Father is greater than Himself, as the scripture says:
     
     You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. (John 14:28)
     
   • God owes no human being anything. But because of His great love, mercy, and compassion, He has chosen to forgive us, redeem us, save us, protect us, and love us. To God be the glory for all He has chosen to do for you and I. This great all powerful God, creator of heaven and earth, has chosen to be merciful to you and I and all we have to do is believe Him and accept His son as our Lord and Saviour.
4. Scripture: Romans 11:36
   • Yes indeed, to God be the glory forever, Amen.
   • All things exist because of Him. All things were made through Him, including you and I. All things were made according to His purpose and all things were made perfect in His sight. If you read Genesis chapter 1, at the end of each of the days of Creation you find the words that when He looked at what had been made, he saw that it was good.
   • God intends that we are to be good also. He intends that we re to be perfect, as He is perfect (Refer to Matthew 5:48). Perfection in God’s eyes is the goal, but we need His help to get there. No man can make Himself perfect. No man can be righteous without God.
   • But in God’s plan, He has provided the path to perfection through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and receiving the Holy Spirit. Perfection is the work of the Holy Spirit through whom we are able to overcome the passions, lusts, and desires of the flesh that lead to sin and death.
   • And God made it this way so we could live in perfect harmony with Him and each other. And this verse sums it up perfectly saying:
     
     For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
     

Key Takeaways:

1. No person can understand the depth of God and His wisdom, nor the ways of His plans for mankind. All we can do is accept that in His love and mercy, He wants the very best for His people.
2. God gave everyone the free will to choose their path. He consigned all mankind to sin and disobedience. Sin was allowed to come into the world so that the love, mercy, and compassion of God could be freely given to everyone and anyone who chose Him.
3. Everything that exists and happens in this world, does so with the complete knowledge of God. He is in control of everything that is going on. He even allows the evil we see around us today so that people can choose their path. People can see a clear distinction between good and evil and although God would prefer everyone to come to Him, as it shows in 2 Peter 3:9. But it is our choice. He does not force anyone, otherwise we would not have a free will.
4. When all is said and done we can say only one thin: To God be the glory.

Prayer Points

1. Pray for understanding and acceptance of the will of God, and thank Him for the blessings He has given you now, and is offering you in the future.
2. Thank the Lord God because He is worthy and give all glory to Him because He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus.