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Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n God made us, we did not make Him. He has the right to make us and use us however He sees fit.<\/p>\n \u201cPotter<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word kerameus<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201csomeone who shapes clay into useful or artistic objects, a potter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClay<\/span>\u201d is from p\u0113los<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cwet muddy clay.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201clump\u201d is phuroma<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201ca mixture of liquid and solid that is kneaded.\u201d The same word is used to describe a mass of clay and a mass of bread dough.<\/p>\n In explaining the previous verse we noted that what Paul said was, \u201cNow wait a minute! Who are you to argue with God?\u201d Do we have the right to tell God that He made a mistake? Do we have the right to tell the perfect, eternal, sinless, all knowing, all powerful God that He is wrong?<\/p>\n That is arguing from the human point of view. Paul now completes the argument by making it from God\u2019s point of view. He does this by making reference to another Old Testament passage. This one is also quoted from Isaiah:<\/p>\n For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the power of our iniquities. But now, O LORD, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand.<\/span> (Isaiah 64:6-8<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n In making this argument Paul is clearly showing that God is the one who has made us and not the other way around. Since He made us, He is the potter and we are the clay. This in not just a metaphorical statement. We really are made of clay. Our father Adam was made from the dirt.<\/p>\n And the LORD God formed man of<\/em> the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.<\/span> (Genesis 2:7<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n In today\u2019s verse Paul is declaring that God, as the potter, has the power and the right to make one vessel (man or woman) unto a dishonorable end and another one to an honorable end.<\/p>\n As we have said before, this expresses a big God, little man perspective. Unfortunately, today it is in vogue to believe in a big man, little God perspective, where we are the ones in control and we tell God what we want Him to do. But that\u2019s not the way it really is! We have \u201cturned it upside down.\u201d<\/p>\n God is the one who is in control, and He will do as He pleases. He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy and whom he wants to He will harden. He makes one vessel unto honor, pardoning him or her by His grace, and He makes another vessel unto dishonor, condemning him or her to Hell for his or her sinfulness and impenitent heart.<\/p>\n Who are we to tell God, \u201cThat\u2019s not fair!\u201d?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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