[b]MaddMatt wrote:[/b] [quote]In reading Romans 9:10-21, I pondered… Christians in general need to be aware that we are not “owed” anything by God. God is merciful and just. He can show mercy toward some people that we do not understand why He extends it. Sometimes He may not show us mercy that we “think” that we deserve. We need to understand that we don’t “deserve” and mercy. We do not “deserve” grace. These are gifts from God that only He can comprehend, and only He can give. Too many times Christians have a self righteous attitude in dealing with people of different beliefs. We have a tendency to present our beliefs as if, “I am right and you are wrong.” End of story. Paul demonstrates so much love for the non believing Jews in this chapter. Paul offers himself in a sacrificial way, as to suffer the consequences for the Jews non belief, if it would save them. If Christians in general would be as sacrificial and loving toward unbelievers the world would be a much better place, and Heaven would have a lot more souls.[/quote] Jesus commands us "Love your neighbor as yourself" .In the OT the same commandment is only meant to be done on a level of the immidiate communities.But in the new covenant in the Christ its meant on universal level which means everyone in the world. Granted its not always easy to love on that level but in the grace God it can be done.Sometimes we all fall out of His grace. Its quiete simple if someone is being self rightous he/she is not producing fruit of the spirit and as fallen out of God's grace.This might be a temporary situation for the person we don't know this,it might a habit from the person,a personal weakness ect..we really don't know these things unless you in close relationship with the person. You have to realise as christians that we all start with a seed planted in us.Sometimes this seed takes a long time to grow into a tree that will bere fruit.Sometimes the seed never grows.And sometimes the seed just dies.This depends all on how much were willing to die to the self and be let transformed into the new person in Christ.And thats why we all need each other to help us grow,intersceding in prayer for each other,admonishing each other with charity ect.