We're back. Thanks for listening to Ask Pastor John with long time pastor and author John

Piper. I'm your host Tony Rankie. Today's question is a bit technical, so bear with us,

but it's a really important one too. It's a weighty. Here it is. What active role does

God play in both the redemption of centers and in the perdition of centers? Casey asks

it. Here's this question. Hello, Pastor John. In studying Romans 9 versus 22 to 23, I see

that the Greek word Paul uses for prepared in verse 22, Catertus Mina, is different from

the word he uses for prepared in verse 23, Proytoim Asin. The first root is Artiso. The second

is Edimus. Additionally, the first is passive. The second is active. Can you explain the significance

in meaning of why Paul would use different words and tenses here? Specifically, does this

imply that the vessels of destruction were prepared differently than the vessels of mercy?

Well, first, for those who feel like this question is just too technical, they're going

to click us off here right away. Let me ask for just a couple of minutes to show other

words because it relates to one of the most ultimate important things you can ever think

about. So what's at stake? What's at stake is how God's power and wisdom and justice

and mercy are at work in those who finally perish and how they are at work in those who

are finally saved. And few things could be more important than clarifying the relationship

between God's sovereignty and the final destiny of human beings. The text, and I believe

this, the text in all the Bible that comes closest to getting at God's ultimate design

or purpose in his sovereign work, in salvation and in judgment is Romans 9, 21 to 23. So I'm

going to read it because this is what is being asked about. Has the potter no right over

the clay to make out of the same lump, one vessel for honorable use and another vessel

for dishonorable use? If God desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power has

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