“For God has shut up all in disobedience so that he may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became his counselor? Or who has first given to him that it might be paid back to him again? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:32-36 NASV).
We are told that more than 7 billion people now inhabit this planet. Approximately half of those are on the continent of Asia. The vast majority of Asians profess religions other than Christianity. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and a variety of other religions are predominant.
For example, of the more than 165 million citizens in Bangladesh, less than 1 million claim any form of Christianity. That amounts to about one half of one percent. Only a few thousand practice true Biblical faith.
Some ask, if God is real, and a loving and good God, why does he allow so many to disbelieve? Would such a God not reveal himself unmistakably so that all would know him? Such questions are used to raise doubt in the truth of the Bible and the existence of God.
Paul dealt with similar issues in Romans 9-11, where he brings up the matter of the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah by God’s chosen people, Israel. If anyone should believe in Jesus, surely it would be those who possessed and knew the books of the Old Testament which prophesied so directly about him.
If Israel did not believe, why should Gentile nations accept him?
The full answer is that God’s actions cannot be understood or explained by human reason or knowledge.
As the Psalmist said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it” (Psalms 139:6). There are some issues upon which one must simply rely upon faith in God.
But Paul does supply a partial answer. Human stubbornness and rebellion offer opportunity for God’s grace.
“God has shut up all in disobedience, so that he may show mercy to all” (Romans 11:32).
Sin is a great evil, with tragic consequences. Yet, sin does provide a point of reference to which salvation may be compared. One cannot truly know what a wonderful blessing health is until he has experienced illness.
That full, satisfied feeling is especially pleasant after one has been very hungry. Illustrations of the principle could be continued almost without end.
That is the lesson Paul wants us to learn. God’s love and goodness are not disproved by human disobedience.
Rather, they are validated. It is “while we were yet sinners [that] Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
God allowed sin to enter the world because of man’s freedom of choice. He responds to evil with judgment and mercy. He is greatly to be praised.
“To him be the glory forever” (Romans 11:36).
— by Michael E. Brooks