God Is Righteous to Demand Obedience

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Romans 9:20; Lord's Day 4
Psalters: 236, 69, 3, 265
  1. The question.
    1. Is it right of God to demand of man what is impossible for him to do?
      1. We are quick to challenge God and to judge Him to be unjust to demand obedience of those who are unable to obey.
      2. And how can God condemn the reprobate when they don’t have the ability to obey God.
    2. Man takes to himself the right to judge God to be unjust to demand what man cannot do.
    3. I want my responsibility determined by my ability, not by God’s commandments.
  2. The Catechism answers that God is just to demand obedience.
    1. First, God’s continuing to demand loving obedience is because God has not changed; He is maintaining Himself as God.
    2. Second, God may command obedience because He created man able to keep His commands.
    3. Third, the reason we do not obey/love God is because we do not want to do so.
    4. Fourth, man may not take to himself the right to judge God (Rom. 9:20). Let every mouth be stopped (Rom. 3:19).
      1. As God He is the Creator! This means that He is worthy of being feared, worshiped and glorified.
      2. And as God He is the Lawgiver (Isa. 33:22; James 4:12), alone having the right to set the standard for His creatures.
  3. Scripture’s answer to this question assures us that there is still hope and that we must not despair.
    1. Let us begin with the confession of our complete inability and the recognition of God’s righteous judgement to condemn us.
    2. Then let us look away from ourselves to God’s provision of the Savior and His cross.
    3. Then let us bless God Who alone is to be praised for the glorious wonder of His grace.