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"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?"

Text: Romans 9:20

ANTICIPATED OBJECTIONS

Paul knew that his doctrine of the Sovereignty of God would face objections. He faced these objections squarely and fearlessly.

“You will say to me then,
‘Why does He still find fault?
For who has resisted His will?’

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?’
Does not the potter have power over the clay,
from the same lump to make one vessel for honour
and another for dishonour?”
Romans 9:19-21

1. Objections raised

a) If God’s will is sovereign, how can He find fault with sinful man?

b) If God’s will is irresistible, then man is not responsible for his acts!

2. Objections answered

a) Man is but a creature!

i) Does he have a right to speak thus against God his Creator?

ii) Does the creature even understand who God really is?

iii) Can the creature speak so arrogantly when he is but a limited human being?

b) Illustration of a Potter and his clay

i) The Potter has the right to fashion the clay in any shape he wishes.

ii) The clay has no right to question what the potter wishes to do.

iii) The clay certainly cannot fashion himself in any form.

iv) The Potter reserves the right to make of the clay a vessel of great honour, or a vessel for very humble usage (the meaning behind the phrase, “another for dishonuor”).