Pastor Joe Terrell

The Potter & The Clay

Romans 9: 19-24

Having read several contemporary writers of similar belief as ours, I was surprised at how many attempted to lobby for man’s rights; and put God under certain obligations to him concerning his ability, means, and providential opportunities.

If man ever had any rights they were forfeited in the fall. Everything that God does is based on himself, his own character and purpose, not on anything owing to His creatures. He is the Potter and we are the clay!

Pastor Darvin Pruitt

GOD FORBID

God forbid is a phrase used in scripture (most often by the apostle Paul) to describe something that a believer would detest. Here is a sampling.

• God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle. (Joshua 22:29)
• God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. (I Samuel 12:23)
• For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Romans 3:3-4)
• What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2)
• As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Romans 9:12-15)
• Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Galatians 3:21-22)
• But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom2 the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)

The doctrine of universal atonement is nothing short of universal blasphemy, asserting that Christ died in vain for the multitudes who perish in hell.