Just when you think you've answered the last challenging question, God throws something else at you to make you really wonder; what is He thinking? And I mean that in the most respectful way.
Romans 9:1-7 Paul shares his grief here, deeply troubled that his own have not gotten it yet. God's chosen people, the Israelites, who have His word and His blessings have missed it. They have failed to see what the Gentiles now get; it's not about your DNA. It's not about the works you do. It's about Christ and our faith in Him (v. 32). Galatians 3:29 says it well, "if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise". How are you Christs? (See Ephesians 2:8-9)
Romans 9:14 Now, ready for this? God created some people for destruction (v.22). Can we say God is unfair? Can we say "God, you don't know what your doing"? Certainly not! Verse 21, "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" Does this relieve us from our duties as ambassadors for Christ? (2Corinthians 5:20) Does this lesson our compassion for the lost? Do we lose steadfastness in planting seeds of faith in the people around us? Not at all. See, God in His infinite wisdom, leaves one thing out; What do the vessels of destruction look like? We don't know. We only know that "He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9), and "whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame" (v. 33b).
Boy, pray for discernment. We need to know who God wants us to engage, telling them the Good News. Scripture says to "be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear". I think the key is, "who asks you". My thoughts go back to what Jesus told His disciples in the sermon on the mount, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces". (Matthew 7:6) Use good discernment my friends, but don't let fear stop you.
Grace, MB
2 comments:
So I know that it specifically says that we can't say God is unfair. And I know that I shouldn't really question God. But I really don't understand Romans 9:17-18. I thought God's will was for everyone to come to know Him. If God is a loving God, why on earth would he create people specifically so that they could end up in hell? Maybe I have misunderstood this verse? What exactly is a vessel of destruction?
Great question Carrie. What is a vessel of destruction? Let me get back to you on that one. Let me ask another question of you or anyone willing to answer, Can God destroy someone yet save him in the end? What other possibilities would make sense here? As Paul says in Romans 11, maybe some things are beyond our understanding now. Maybe reading Romans 11 will help us. MB
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