“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written:
‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.'” – Romans 9:30-33
When Jesus healed ten lepers in Luke 17, He asked three piercing questions: “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17–18). These weren’t rhetorical jabs—they were heartfelt questions from the Savior who longed for more than physical healing. In His humanity, Jesus may have genuinely expected all ten to return in gratitude. But only one did—a Samaritan. The others went on to fulfill the religious rituals, but this outsider saw something greater. He saw the true Priest. And when he returned, Jesus told him, “Your faith has made you well”—literally, “Your faith has saved you.” Nine were healed in body, but only one was healed in soul.
This moment mirrors what Paul teaches in Romans 9. The Jews, who pursued righteousness through works, missed the very salvation they longed for. Meanwhile, Gentiles—those who never thought they had a chance—received it by faith. Paul isn’t contradicting himself when he speaks of both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. He’s showing us that both are true. God elects, and man is still accountable. As Romans 2:15 says, the law is written on every heart, and conscience bears witness. That’s why the gospel is offered to all. Acts 17 declares that “God now commands all men everywhere to repent.” The call is universal, and the responsibility to respond lies with each individual. Salvation is God’s work alone, but rejection is man’s choice.
Martin Lloyd-Jones put it this way: “Election alone accounts for the saved, but non-election does not account for the lost.” No one would be saved if God had not chosen them. But people are lost not because they weren’t chosen—they’re lost because they reject the gospel. All have sinned in Adam. All fall short of God’s glory. God is responsible for election; we are responsible for rejection. Paul spends Romans 9:6–29 explaining why anyone is saved—it’s God’s sovereign grace. But in the final verses, he explains why anyone is lost—it’s human unbelief. The Samaritan leper believed and was saved. The others walked away, healed but unchanged. The same is true today. The gospel is offered to all. The question is, will we return to the One who heals—not just our bodies, but our souls? Will we fall at His feet in faith and gratitude, or will we walk away, satisfied with the gift but indifferent to the Giver?
“It seems that the sovereignty of God and human responsibility are like two parallel lines that do not seem to intersect within our finite minds. God’s ways are ‘past finding out’ (Romans 11:33), and the Bible warns us to ‘lean not unto thy own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). To say what God says in the Bible – no more and no less – is not always easy, comfortable, or completely understandable.” – Chuck Smith
surrendered devotions 