Because of so may different doctrines based on denominational interpretation, when an unbelieving sinner comes into the presence of a sovereign God there is a frequent common response. "God made me the way I am," "Some are predestined for heaven and some for hell," "If God did the choosing I'll just have to wait to see if I was chosen or not." In essence, people want to place the blame on God! They will argue, "If God is sovereign -- if He is the potter and we are the clay -- then I am not responsible for my unregenerate and sinful condition. I am just what God made me."

In chapter 10 Paul addresses these arguments by showing the unbelieving sinner that God is not responsible for his condition. Man alone is responsible. Paul's answer is in the form of three facts.

1. The Gospel is Within Reach of ALL [v.8]
   But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

2. The Gospel is Offered to ALL [v.11,13]
   "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
   "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, "
   "That if you acknowledge with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart [mind] that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart [mind] that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

3. The Gospel Has Not Been Obeyed by ALL [v.16]
   "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
   "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Of course they did:"
   "But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

   Conclusion:
   The gospel has been and is within reach to all and offered to all but sadly, all have not obeyed the gospel.
   What a lesson for us today! To think that it is possible to be zealous for God, to busy ourselves everyday with what we think is God's work yet be utterly blind to the truth of the simplicity of the gospel.
   Salvation is solely a work of a sovereign God because of His grace and love for us.

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