Let's open our Bibles to Romans 9;14-16.

As the righteous Sovereign over all, God is not unjust to grant mercy to some and to harden others, because all deserve His judgment

As the righteous Sovereign over all, it is outrageous to think that God could treat anyone unjustly (9:14)

To raise the question of fairness presupposes that you have rights and that your rights are being violated

We all have sinned without excuse against God

His justice would only bring us what we deserved

Matt 20:1-16 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

As the righteous Sovereign over all, God is free to show mercy to whomever He wishes (9:15-16)

Moses boldly asked God to show him His glory in Exo 33:18

God declared He would proclaim the name of the Lord before Moses

It included this statement, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion

God's glory is displayed by His freedom to show mercy and compassion on whomever He wishes

Thomas Schreiner: No human being deserves God's mercy

We all justly deserve condemnation

As the righteous Sovereign over all, God is free to harden whom He wishes, to display His glory (9:17-18)

God is not unjust to raise up a proud sinner on the stage of world history and use him for God's greater purpose of demonstrating His power and causing His name to be widely proclaimed

God is not unjust to grant mercy to some to display the glory of His grace, and to harden others to display the glory of His righteous judgment

Luke 18:13, God, be merciful to me, a sinner!