Who's at Fault?

 

“But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.””

(Romans 10:21 ESV)

 

We get very defensive when it comes to the matter of our salvation. If it is even suggested that we are not good people, we become upset. And when we are told that we need God’s forgiveness and mercy, we are offended.

 

We believe that it would be wrong, we believe that it would be unjust of God to withhold from us his salvation. Even though we acknowledge our imperfection, we believe ourselves to be well-intentioned. Even though we acknowledge the fact that we sin, we believe ourselves to be generally obedient. And although we admit to wrongdoing, we believe that we’ve performed far more good deeds than bad.

 

We also get defensive when it comes to the salvation of our friends and loved ones. Even if they have rejected the gospel, and even if they’ve lived a life of unrepentance, we believe that it would be wrong of God to deny them salvation. We become upset as we believe them to be inherently good and deserving of the blessings of God.

 

We even become defensive when it comes to those unknown to us. We become defensive when it comes to those on the other side of the world, with whom we’ve had no contact whatsoever. From our perspective, how dare anyone question the fact that they will be saved?

 

Again, we believe most people to be good people. We believe them to be well-intentioned. And if they have not believed the gospel, or if they have not heard the gospel, we insist that it’s not their fault.

 

In our view, most people should be saved. Other than those who have lived horribly wicked lives, we believe that most should be saved. And if they’re not, we try to pass the blame onto God.

 

He, we think, should’ve done more. He should’ve given them greater opportunity to hear the gospel and to believe. And we believe that, if only he’d done more, if only he’d worked harder, everyone would believe.

 

God, however, has done everything necessary to provide for our salvation. His work is sufficient. Although, rightfully, he could have left us in sin and judgment, he’s ceaselessly held out his hands to us.

 

This is the point Paul is making in the passage above, as it pertains to Israel. He pointed out that salvation had been received by the Gentiles, who had not sought it. But it had been missed by Israel, who was seeking it.

 

Yet they alone bore the fault of their judgment. Although God had reached out to them, they had refused him. It was they who were disobedient, and it was they who were contrary.

 

The same, you see, applies to so many of us today. Yes, there are those who have received the gospel. There are those who have trusted in Christ and received his blessings. But there are so many who have refused him.

 

And the problem isn’t God or his effort. The problem is us. The problem is our disobedience. The problem is our stubbornness. And the problem is our rejection of the Lord.

 

If we fail to receive the salvation of God, we will be without excuse. We will have no one to blame but ourselves. The fault of our disobedience and contrary nature is our own.