Replying Against God Romans 9:20

Paul the apostle reminded the people in Rome of how, “the scripture says unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth”, and he added, “Therefore has he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens”, and he added, “You will say then unto me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will?” In chapter nine and verse twenty of Romans, Paul referred to the way his readers ask him, “who are you that reply against God?” where we read:

No but, O man, who are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have thou made me thus?

The verse begins, “No but, O man, who are you that reply against God?” Paul began with the word, “no but” which means “no surely or rather”, “O man” which means “O person whether male or female” “who are you” or “what person are you” “that reply against” “who contradict or dispute” “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”? Paul asked what person has such high qualifications they can “dispute” or “contradict” “God”?

The verse goes on to say, “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?” Paul continued with the words, “shall the thing formed” which means “will what has been molded or shaped from wax or clay” “say to him” or “speak, utter or tell the certain one” “that formed it” which means “who molded or shaped it”, “why” or “for what reason” “have you made me thus” which means “has the sculpture or potter produced, constructed, formed or fashioned me this way”. Paul used the example of a “formed” item having the ability to challenge the one who “formed it”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how there is no one qualified to “dispute or contradict” God. Things made do not “contradict” the one who made them, and yet, there are many who are created by God who think they may “contradict”or have a “dispute” with Him. One thing is certain, those who practice “disputing and contradicting” God shall always lose. God desires to have a relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and He sent Him to die for people's sins so they might be able to relate to Him. Receiving Jesus as “Savior and Lord” is the first step to having a proper relationship with God, and “replying, disputing and contradicting” Him must be put aside in humility to fully surrender to Him.

Next time we see Paul ask his readers, “the potter power over the clay”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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