Scripture

When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have the right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?

Observation

Even though God chooses some and not others, we cannot accuse Him of being unfair. He shows mercy to anyone He chooses.

God told Pharaoh that He appointed him for displaying God’s power and to spread God’s fame.

If God determines who will respond to the Good News, why does He blame those who do not respond? This is like a potter who makes two jars from the one lump of clay – one to decorate and the other one to use to hold garbage.

Application

There are many questions where the boundaries of human free will and divine sovereignty intersect.

Calvinists say that God chooses who will be saved and who will be condemned. Free will in people can never impinge on God’s freedom to do with His creation whatever He chooses.

Arminians, on the other hand, say that people are free to respond to the gospel and to receive God’s offer of salvation. They are also free to reject God. Love cannot be love unless we choose to receive or reject the offer of love.

The truth is that whichever end you choose to start at, you must understand both sides. God is in control, and He controls our destiny in such a way that we still choose to accept or reject Him.

Paul quotes the example of Pharaoh whom it was said was chosen by God to glorify Him through the world. At this point, Pharaoh had a choice to glorify God through repentance and submission to the Lord. We know he chose a different way. Even though God was determined to free His people from Egypt, Pharaoh had freedom to work with the Lord or to resist Him.

The choice always remains with us about whether we will follow God’s way or not. As we walk down the path of rebellion, our hearts become harder and harder.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for calling me out of darkness and into the kingdom of your dear Son. Amen.