For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. -- Romans 10:2 –4 (ESV)

When you think of an 'on fire' Christian what does he/she look like? Often those that are new to Christianity are not just as 'saved' but 'SAVED, SAVED!' They are busy with the disciplines, telling people about Christ, and rooting out sin in every corner of their life. We look at them and wish we could re-ignite that passion, but is that the best? Is that what Christianity is like?

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. - Romans 9:1 –3 (ESV)

When it comes to Romans 9-11 many people want to skip over it. It deals with a few subjects that can be not only difficult to understand but controversial. The outline and explanations of God's work in salvation in Romans 1-8 lay out this grand landscape of what God has done. Romans 12-15 give us direct and practical applications to live out this new life of faith, but in the middle people see some theological doldrums, Romans 9-11 . These chapters contain some important pieces that connect us to the character of God, situate us in the Biblical storyline, provide us assurance, and motivate us to live out the mercies of God.

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” -- Romans 9:19 –20 (ESV)

Job is one of the most comforting and terrifying books in the Bible. In it we see God's control over all things. We see his power to both restrain and allow hardship, difficulty, and evil. We also see the very limited human struggle of trying to make sense of it all.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. - Romans 8:29 –30 (ESV)

When it comes to cars there are people that want to know all the specs and there are those that just want it to run. (The details of horsepower, fuel injection, compression ration, head pressure, and gear ratio are music to some people's ears. To others that list sounded like a bunch of words that were indistinguishable from a flux capacitor or oil flange.) At one level both those positions work with a car. Even knowing a little about a car can help you maintain it. And give you some basic understanding when something goes wrong.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” -- Romans 9:6 –7 (ESV)

Struggling to understand God's purpose, plan, and predestination is not unusual. In fact I expect it. Many people over the centuries have. One of those was a British Monk named Pelagus in the 4th century. His story and objections provide us some insight not only into church history but the orthodox boundaries of the debate. In wanting to reconcile these things he denied some clear teaching of scripture and fell into heresy. It's worth some time to read his story.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. - 1 John 4:10 –11 (ESV)

What part of Christmas celebrations are you most looking forward to? Receiving presents? Giving presents? Spending time with family and friends? We all desire to be loved, especially around Christmas time, but we want that love expressed in different ways for it to seem meaningful to us. Some people call this your 'love language'.

Built into Advent is true love. It is love that has been expressed. It has been given not just to those who 'deserve' it or to those who will return it, but has been given to rebels in their rebellion. It's a love that is grander than we can imagine.