FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 9:22–24: What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
Paul has already established the fact that God is free to act in the mystery and majesty of His sovereignty. Now Paul shows that God deals in patience and mercy even with the vessels of wrath. God did not fit them for destruction; the rebellion and sin of the clay made them ripe for judgment. God would have been right in exercising immediate judgment, but He dealt with these vessels, not as lifeless clay, but as creatures with a free will. He gave them ample opportunity to reveal any inclination they might have of obeying God. Although God hates sin and must judge it in a most final manner, His mercy is constantly going out to the creatures involved. When the judgment came in a.d. 70, God saved a remnant. These were “vessels of mercy.” 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
You saving grace continues to cleanse this broken vessel for Your glorious purposes!
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
Awaken from the darkness before the darkness enslaves you for eternity.
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Dear Father, thank You for saving me from the coming wrath. In Jesus Name, Amen.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 9-16) (electronic ed., Vol. 43, pp. 34–35). Nashville.
