Romans 9:30–33
At first, it seems that Paul is contradicting what he has been building up so far in chapter 9. If God chooses whom to save, why does Paul here hold people responsible for their unbelief?
Again, he brings two cases before us: those who pursued righteousness through works and those who received righteousness through faith.
Speaking of the gospel, Paul opens this letter with, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17). Then later he says, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21–22). And to make sure that we don’t assume that somehow God changed how He saved people, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’” (Romans 4:2–3). Faith is the means by which righteousness is received, not the work by which righteousness is earned. Faith itself does not earn righteousness; it is counted as righteousness.
The point is that God not only chooses who will be saved, but how they will be saved.
God chose to save through faith, and not simply belief in something greater than us, but in Christ Jesus specifically. Jesus Himself says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). As Paul points out, Israel stumbled over Christ, but the warning extends to anyone who believes they can earn salvation in any way.
Grace is not earned. Salvation is received by faith, faith in the God who chooses you, calls you, justifies you, and will ultimately glorify you (Romans 8:30). And whoever believes in Him will never be put to shame (Romans 9:33).
-steve