Anonymous asked: If we have free will, what does all of Romans 9-11 mean?

That’s a lot of scripture so here’s a condensed response

Romans 9 is about Israel and the Jews being hardened due to the Gentiles. Earlier in Chapter 9 it talks about the Gentiles becoming part of Israel. This was the stumbling stone, that Jesus died for all and you must come by faith. “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”. 

In Romans 10 I imagine you refer to verse 20 “ I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” That is not a scripture that backs up not having free will. That is about the Gentiles. They were not seeking and asking God for a messiah but received because Jesus died for all men. Meanwhile Israel rejects Christ. Verse 21 “But to Israel he says: All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.” Israel would not receive.

Romans 11 is about that the Gentiles are to provoke Israel to believe.

If anything, all of this backs up that we have free will because Israel had the ability to reject Jesus but could also come to faith.

-Tyler