The metaphor of the potter and the clay is an interesting one.
If God is all knowing he would know from the beginning that a "pot" or piece of clay won't work out. He would also know how they will turn out and how it fits into the grand progression of time. Does that stop God from working on "bad" clay and trying to make it into a pot? Do some pots require many "re-works" before they can be turned into the "pot" God desires (and the "re-works" are part of the process)?
I think the metaphor of the potter and the clay actually shows freewill more than predestination in that the clay has a choice to adhere to the potters hands or not. I find the metaphor actually lessens God into that of a human potter. We actually have to change how we see the potter into that something more like God while we very nicely fit into the category of hard clay.
We are the clay and have free will to choose. God sees the choice we are going to make. Even if God can see the choice we are going to make I believe that does not remove our freedom and power to make the choice. Even if we choose in the end not to pick God I believe it does not stop the potter from trying his hardest with many re-works to change the clay into a pot (until the clay is unworkable). This still does not change that if in the end if the clay does not listen it gets thrown out. I believe this is the love of God that we are to try to emulate. Even if people are lost we are to try to love them like God.
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:44-45
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