rom 09v21 24 Vessels of Wrath and Vessels of Mercy

VESSELS OF WRATH AND VESSELS OF MERCY

Romans 9:21-24'

Why is it that all men are not saved? Why does God endure "with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction", when he certainly has the power, were it his purpose to do so, to save them? Paul tells us very plainly that the reason is, GOD IS WILLING TO SHEW HIS WRATH AND MAKE HIS POWER KNOWN BY THE VESSELS OF WRATH. Every creature must form a step to the Creator's throne. Though many would rob God of his glory if they could, they will be to the praise of his glory. All who persist in their rebellion and unbelief, refusing to bow to Christ as Lord and trust him, are FITTING THEMSELVES FOR DESTRUCTION. But their unbelief, rebellion, and sin will in no way affect God. His purpose shall stand, and his name shall be magnified, even in the vessels of wrath. God's enemies shall yet praise him. They all shall stand as monuments, eternal monuments, to the wrath and power of God, even as Pharaoh of old. Hear this and be warned: "The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of (judgment)" (Prov. 16:4).

But GOD HAS CHOSEN SOME OF ADAM'S RACE AS VESSELS OF MERCY. These vessels of mercy are God's elect, chosen in eternity, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and PREPARED BY GOD'S OWN GRACE FOR GLORY, God's reason for making these vessels of mercy is to show forth "the riches of his glory". Particularly, Paul is talking about the glory of God's sovereignty. We could not know God's sovereignty, were there not both vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy. Both are the same by nature. Both came from the same lump of clay. But God made a difference between his elect (the vessels of mercy) and the reprobate (the vessels of wrath) (I Cor. 4:7).

Who are these vessels of mercy? "EVEN US WHOM HE HATH CALLED." If you are called of God from death to life, you are a vessel of mercy! If God the Holy Spirit has called you by his almighty grace to Christ and given you faith in him, you are a vessel of mercy. It is grace that has made you to be a vessel of mercy. God has done this for us "that (we) should show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light" (I Pet. 2:9).