Why are believers called vessels of mercy instead of vessels of wrath?
Believers are called vessels of mercy because their standing rests entirely on God's mercy, not human merit. None deserve anything; His mercy was poured out at the cross and is appropriated by faith. They are prepared unto glory, saved without doing anything on their part, as illustrated by Paul's grace-based conversion.
Les teaches that Romans 9:23 speaks of God making known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy prepared beforehand unto glory. Every believer—whether in Israel, during Christ's earthly ministry, or today—is a vessel of mercy. None of us deserve anything; it is all of His mercy, poured out at the cross and appropriated by faith. Verse 24 includes 'even us,' and Paul is the epitome of a sinner saved by grace. Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to carry out his dirty work when God knocked him off his horse and spoke to him—that was grace. So believers are in the same category with Paul, saved without ever doing anything on their part. This has always been the way.
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
More Questions
Why do believers receive God's mercy if none of us deserve anything?
Believers receive mercy not because they deserve anything, but because God's mercy was poured out at the cross and is now appropriated by faith.
Who are the vessels of mercy in Romans 9:23?
The vessels of mercy are every believer, whether from Israel, during Christ's earthly ministry, or the disciples given to Him by the Father as seen in John 17.