The Scripture teaches that God chose us or elected us. The question is: Why? Did he choose us because he knew we would choose him? That seems incompatible with the doctrine of total depravity, which says all humans are dead in sin and unable to seek God. The message of Scripture is clear: God chose us without any conditions. God love us simply because he chose to love us!
Related Sermon: Amazing Grace, part 2
Discussion Questions:
- Read Romans 9.
- Paul talks about many people who were chosen by God. List as many as you can.
- In each case, did God choose them because of something inside of them?
- In verse 14, Paul asks, “Is God unjust?” Why would he anticipate someone who has read the first 13 verses might accuse God of being unjust? Do you sometimes feel that way?
- Paul answers his own question this way: “Not at all!” What reasoning in verse 15 does he give for this answer? Is it hard to understand mercy and grace sometimes?
- Pastor Bill listed several objections to Calvinism in this video. Have you had any of those objections? How do the Scriptures he quoted address these objections? In what ways do we still need faith, even despite having those answers?
- Pray, thanking God that he did not wait on you to fulfill some condition, but that he moved first and saved you by grace alone!