Whatever It Takes - Romans 11:32

"For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone."

The Apostle Paul has been addressing the problem raised by the unbelief of so many Jews to the Roman Christians (Romans 9-11). If God had promised salvation to Israel, His chosen people, why were so few Jews being saved and how could Jesus truly be the fulfillment of God’s plan?

This verse epitomizes the theological defense that Paul makes for the future or ultimate salvation of Israel (and all people who trust in Jesus).

Paul explains that it was beneficial for all people when Israel, God's chosen people, were disobedient to God because God then extended His mercy to the Gentiles (or all people).

So redemption and restoration are the way God works His purposes in His creation. God can best show His love by having mercy on sinners.

And God's mercy is best received by those who are sinful. So it is in our sinfulness that we realize our need for God's salvation.

Jesus explained it like this: "Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17, Matthew 9:12-13; Luke 5:32-32).

In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul gets to the crux of the matter when he unabashedly declares: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them all" (1 Timothy 1:15).

Think of it this way: God does whatever it takes to show mercy to you, even dying on a cross.