My Conclusion!

(Romans 9:21)  “Has the potter no right over the clay.”

What then is the conclusion to my understanding on what we have considered over the last three days? On the surface it seems confusing at first glance and many seemed to have battled to come to grips with its truth as I believe many still do. However it is not complicated when thoroughly examined. Having said all of that, everything about our actuality hinges on the grace of God. We breathe fresh air that keeps our lungs functioning as they should, and it is God who has given us both the air to breathe as well as the mechanics wherewith to accomplish the task.

Some see the kingdom of God while others do not, some see and are yet are suborn and selfish (me) as sin has left its mark. We need to be broken down more severely than others. But it is God who is rich in mercy who decided (wills) on how things play out. He is nevertheless righteous and we see clearly from scripture that He has chosen to abide by his character and His rules and by that I mean if we end up “dull of hearing” then our hearing will be stifled, we will suffer loss. Remember Samson he lost both his eyes and David lost the son he fasted for. For every action there is a reaction, never forget that it is God who is in control and in effect determines the outcome. Think on it like this, a man sits with a clump of clay in his hand and as he kneads it preparing it for it purpose, along the way he finds a lump, what does he do with the unwanted contamination? He removes it and then begins to knead it again and then once it is free of lumps he may find air bubbles and so the process continues, until eventually the clump of clay is ready for use. Ultimately the clay is now ready but it is still the potter who decides its fate. A vessel of honour or dishonor! Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9:21) – God has the final say and not man!

But Paul also teachers us this truth; “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2Timothy 2:20-21) – The responsibility nevertheless remains with us to walk in obedience!

All I am saying is yes, we are responsible for all of our actions, these decisions remain with us and even the common law teaches us this principle; break the law and we will be subject to the governing authorities. But because we cannot physically see the spiritual world, when we reason, we often purpose our outcome with the carnal mind because this is where we live and breathe. But this type of reasoning is now no longer part of our arsenal, our spiritual armour. All it does is gets us into trouble as it endeavors to mislead us. Look at Samson and David! If and when someone continues in their habitual way contrary to scripture and struggle in an area we do not or visa-versa, where does this leave us and our understanding on how we should view what we now witness in others? Do we become conceited and accuse them and excuse ourselves? If so we have misunderstood the instruction from the Holy Scripture. I believe the Lord teaches us the answer to this question in His teaching prayer; “Father forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We must never forget this truth; “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2Timothy 2:24-26) – Here we see it is God who has the final say!

The only way a person will change their error is if God has mercy on them. We say obviously He has already had mercy on us, well said! However life is a process and is there to teach us obedience. We are to pray for one another in sincerity, there must be a boast-less type of mentality when we see others erring from the text of scripture. With this rational we now apply this verse to our understanding and it makes perfect sense; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Boasting is never allowed in a Christian’s life unless our boast is in Christ and His achievements, any other boast will get us into trouble and our fall will be just around the corner. Remember this verse; “God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Now with this understanding and with an attitude fueled by the grace of God, we now must look for those good works that God has prepared for us to walk in. Grace is an empowering tool to help us overcome! I do not suggest that we now draw a treasure map and place it under our arms as we look to conquer no matter who gets in our way. Daily living in our locate assembly will achieve this goal. It is part of our Great God’s design. Nevertheless we must learn to be sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit; we must look for opportunities to give to those in need.

A friend will encourage us to entertain strangers as they may be angels. But I say what of those we choose to ignore, it is clear from scripture, it is often those people when ignore is exactly the people we shouldn’t discount because if we do we have turned our back on the Lord Jesus himself. How so one may ask? – “Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:45)

In effect when we extend our hand to others in the name of the Lord, we lengthen our hand to the Lord Himself; this is what He taught us. Will we give it the attention it deserves? If not, then we are all mouth and no action as James concludes; “But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)

I pray that God will continue to have mercy on all His children in this area of our lives.

Signing off

Tyrone