Permissions for title selection and abandonment
Romans 75
Power of choice and abandonment
Romans 9:19-29
Introduction: The Apostle Paul strongly defends God's sovereignty over God's predestination and election against the objections anticipated here. Opposition to the Word of God is expected in various ways, and many people have been fighting back. However, excuses for such a thing are not acceptable to them in a reasonable way. The reason is that they attack the providence of God, which they consider irrational, on the basis of the validity of man's thinking, not from God's point of view, but from man's point of view.
Paul's conclusion to such people is to reveal the fact that all these events are the sovereign work of God, with no compromise with the person who suffers them. "Who are you, man, that you dare to accuse God? The things that have been made will tell the builder how they made me like this? Do you have no authority?” This is God's declaratory conclusion. It should be noted that there is no clearer answer and no clearer conclusion to the debate about God's predestination and election.
1. Who will oppose it?
Paul was referring to God's sovereignty over choice and abandonment in verse 18. “Therefore, God has mercy on whom he wills, and hardens whom he wills.” However, there are many who challenge this work. Not to mention in the world, but also in the church. Their theories have tremendous appeal to many. Until now, these claims have been used as weapons to slander the truth without believing in God's word revealed in the Bible.
(1) The first objection is, “Then how can God make a mistake?” This means that if God has mercy on whom he will have mercy and hardens whom he will harden according to his will, then if God would have done so in his own eyes, and if it were a hardened character, regardless of the person, God would If he did that as he saw it, how could such a God be able to break the man he had hardened? If God made him like that, and if God could break him down, how would it be reasonable?
(2) The second objection is, “Who can oppose this will of God?” God is absolute authority. No one can disobey God's ordained will. Then, there is no existence that can disobey the will of God that God has ordained. Then, if God has already predestined me like that, how can I resist God's predestination? I was just saying that I would have no choice but to be passively hardened according to the will of God. A theory like this has tremendous appeal to many. Until now, this claim has been used as a weapon to slander the truth without believing in God's word revealed in the Bible.
2. The potter's authority
In response to this objection, Paul does not use any other argument, but draws a sharp conclusion, giving all sovereignty to God.
(1) As the first answer, Paul rebuked, “Who are you, man, that you accuse God?” Such an attack is a challenge to God's sovereignty. The word “healing” that Paul uses here means to ask a question while rebuking a wrongdoing. We are not in a position to ask such questions to God. Paul used the word ‘daring’ for who you are. Man must know his sovereignty. It is absolutely unacceptable to criticize God without recognizing his own position and existence. God is our Creator, and we are nothing more than creatures from whom we were created. The difference between these two beings is enormous. Under no circumstances are we entitled to ask the God who created us, “How did you make me like this?” It is at the discretion of my Creator to do so.
(2) As the second answer, Paul listened to the case of the potter. "Doesn't the potter have the authority to make, from a loaf of clay, one vessel for honor and the other for humble use?" A handful of clay is held in the potter's hand. The potter took some of the handful of soil and made a beautiful vessel for his precious use. The potter thought of making another bowl from the leftover soil. Now, they have created a low-cost, low-cost vessel that is completely different from the previous ones. The potter took the bowl in his hand and was satisfied. In such a case, why did you not both make precious vessels for this potter? and can you protest? Then the potter's answer will be that it is within my jurisdiction and it is my will to do so. Paul's comparison of God to a potter here has a deep meaning. This is because we humans are actually made of dust.
3. Vessels of Wrath and Vessels of Mercy
After taking the potter's case as an example, Paul argued by linking the vessels of lowly use and honor to vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy.
(1) He said that the meaning of being patient with the vessels of wrath is to show wrath and make known its power. This case refers to the case of Pharaoh king of Egypt. The Pharaoh is clearly a vessel of wrath prepared to destroy. But he was not quick to condemn the judgment of his wrath, but by long-suffering, he showed him the wrath of God and made known the power of God. Such a thing could be a tolerance for Pharaoh. Because it could be an opportunity for repentance. This work belongs to God's authority.
(2) About the vessel of mercy, what would he say if he made us know the riches of glory? Vessels of mercy prepared to be glorified refer to God's chosen people. God has prepared this vessel to be glorified. We are chosen for the glory of God, but God has also blessed us to share in His glory. So God shows His chosen people the riches of the infinite glory they will receive.
Conclusion: This vessel of mercy is what Paul refers to as us. We are talking about those of us who have heard this word and believe it. There is no discrimination between Gentiles and Jews in this scope of us. Only those who are chosen and called by God's predestination. Being a Jew is not a privilege given by God's choice. Even at the end of mankind, not all Jews will be saved, but only the remnant will be saved. The remnant is God's chosen people. We hope that we can know the riches of that glory while giving thanks for being God's people, predestined and chosen for God's glory.