Thanks for your question. Let me first acknowledge
you have asked about one of the most difficult segments of New Testament Scripture. In
order to rightly understand any difficult Scripture one must approach it with clear
understanding of the context of the Letter being written and the subject under discussion
and with a clear understanding of the overall teaching of Scripture. Before looking
directly of these verses let me please lay a foundation for the answer from other
Scripture.
First, God does indeed want all people to be saved.
He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter
3:9). He made provision for all to be saved in that Christ died for all men (Hebrews 2:9).
His grace appears to all men for salvation (Titus 2:11-13). His gospel was to be preached
to all men in all the world and those who believe and are baptized will be saved (Mark
16:15,16).
Second, man is really accountable for his actions
and choices. When we stand before God in judgment we will be judged for the deeds done in
the body, according to what we have done whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). When we
hear the gospel message we are given the ability to "Save ourselves from this crooked
generation" (Acts 2:40).
Third the context of the book of Romans is we have
the right to salvation but must respond by an obedient faith. The gospel is God's power to
salvation to all who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). We are
the servants of the one whom we choose to obey, whether sin to death or obedience to
righteousness (Romans 6:16). When we obey from the heart the form of teaching delivered us
we are then made free from sin to become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). The
very fact he constantly pleads with them to change their actions for the Lord shows they
had choices and the choice mattered.
What then about Romans 9:19,20? They say: "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?" One of the purposes of the book of
Romans was to bring unity in churches in Rome which were of Jewish and others of Gentile
background. Those churches which were primarily of Jewish background had continued to
cling to the Old Testament law and the idea that Israel was God's chosen people. They saw
Christianity as an update or addition to Judaism. Paul therefore pointed out that we are
dead to the law by the body of Christ so we can be married to another, even Jesus to bring
forth fruit to God (Romans 7:4). In Romans 9 Paul is dealing with the nation of Israel as
God's chosen people, not with individuals. His point is if God chooses to reject them as a
nation and no longer see them as any different but to base His choice on individual faith
and obedience what is that to them? He is God and creator and they have no right to
criticize the one who made them to begin with. The theme of the whole chapter is set when
Paul tells of his great sorrow for his kinsmen according to the flesh who are Israelites,
to who pertain the adoption, the glory and the covenants (Romans 9:1-5).
Instead of this teaching man's unaccountability, it
is teaching is we aren't going to be saved by what our race or family heritage is, but by
our personal relationship with God. Now there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles,
but whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:12,13.
I hope and pray this is helpful to your in your
quest for God.
Leon Barnes