Renniks
Well-Known Member
You completely misunderstand Romans 9.Greetings Renniks! Please consider studying the following scriptures.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
That's pretty plain and clear ~ was chosen for salvation from the beginning.
If there were people chosen for salvation, it follows that others were not. Clearly, that demonstrates and speaks a lot about God's character and nature, firstly His absolute sovereignty. You seem to imply that if that were the case, God is unjust. And on what basis? Does scriptures say that? If not, then where is that coming from? Does it come from your personal take of what is just and what is unjust. Anyway, let me show you scriptures that speaks about the sovereignty of God and which tells us that there is no unrighteousness when God gives mercy to some and not to all, or when God hardens some people and not all.
Romans 9:10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
I'd say verse 20 would remind men who they are in relation to God and shuts the mouths of those who seem to put in question the sovereign acts of God regarding His election, either of a people (to be His people) to salvation, or of people and individuals to serve His purpose/s.
Tong
R0027
It's not about being chosen for salvation.
And verse 20 isn't about questioning God's sovereignty. Did you notice that the objector actually believes people can't resist God's will, but Paul confirms we can?