Thursday, May 7- Romans 9:14-21

14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
-The conclusion that some might draw from the previous verse. God is not unjust for his judgments.

15For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
-This is the Lords prerogative. With the reminder again that none deserve grace.

16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
-The Lord acts first before man can do anything. Left to ourselves we will always choose death.

17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
-Weird that this is the case for some people. That they are tools to go against God that God might display his power. Weird, but at the same time, God is not blamed for the sin of man. Man has some free choice in this.

18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
-Mercy, showing them grace they don't deserve. Harden, closing their hearts/minds so that they don't choose God's way. But some how it seems that even without "hardening" man would still choose his own sinfulness.

19One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"
-Again, the seemingly logical argument. How can God blame us if He is hardening or showing mercy as he does?

20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' "
-The creator has rights beyond what we ever do. This is the first case and not much can be said about it. Beyond this, sinfulness is our own doing.

21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
-Again, creator rights. In a practical sense we don't know how we're going to be used so we're best off living our best for the Lord in all that we do and just be thankful for any mercy we can possibly receive. Although the amazing thing is that God is rich in mercy towards us. So very rich.