"For this is a word of promise: 'AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.' And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, 'THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.' Just as it is written, 'JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.' What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, 'I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.' So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.' So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?' On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles." Romans 9:9-24
Objection #1: The Doctrine of Sovereign Predestination Makes God Unloving
This accusation is untrue and unfounded. It is based solely on opinion and person feelings—not on Scripture. Because of man's sinful nature, no one would ever come to God. Remember, it is man who cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14); is full of evil (Mark 7:21-23); does not seek for God (Rom. 3:11); is lawless, rebellious, unholy, and profane (1 Tim. 1:9); and is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3). If it were left up to man, no one would ever be saved. God, in His loving predestination, assured to Himself His people, the ones who He called and predestined: "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will." God's own words—predestination is a loving doctrine.
Objection #2: This Passage Speaks of Classes of People, Not Individuals
This is untrue for the simple fact that specific individuals are named: Jacob, Esau, and Pharoah. Also, vessels are people—not classes or groups of people. The word "vessel" is the Greek skeuos (σκευος). It is used in different senses and means utensils and containers of ordinary household use, but when it is used of people it means individuals:
"Go, for he is a chosen instrument (skeuos, σκευος) of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel." Acts 9:15"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day" (John 6:39). Jesus was not given a class or group of people, but the elect, the ones chosen, the individuals. Let us put our subjective opinions and personal feelings aside and believe the Bible for what it says. The false interpretation of Romans 8:29-30 declaring that God looks into the future and determines who to save based on our "decision" makes God a respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34). This belief declares God to be a liar and states that there is merit in us toward salvation ("not of works" Rom. 9:11; Eph. 2:9). For God to look into the future and determine to save us based on our "decision" says that there was some merit in us that warranted God's salvation. But this is contrary to the Scriptures: "...Who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13); "In order that God's purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls" (Rom. 9:11); "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (Rom. 9:16). Scripture is quite clear that salvation is of grace: "By grace you have been saved" (Eph. 2:5, 8). Those who claim that God saves based on our "decision" are worshiping a false god made in their image to suit their purposes and have made man sovereign over the God of the Bible. "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4).
"That each of you know how to possess his own vessel (skeuos, σκευος) in sanctification and honor." 1 Thess. 4:4 (This usage means either "own body" or possibly "wife." Again, it is speaking of individuals.)
"Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel (skeuos, σκευος) for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." 2 Tim. 2:21 (Verse 20 is a reflection toward Romans 9:21.)
"You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel (skeuos, σκευος), since she is a woman..." 1 Pet. 3:7