Salvation is understood as God's sovereign choice, rooted in His mercy and grace, not in human effort (Romans 8:1).
The understanding that salvation is by God's choice is grounded in biblical teaching, particularly in Romans 8:1, where it states that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This truth reveals that the believer's standing before God is solely based on God's mercy and the sacrificial work of Christ at Calvary. Throughout Scripture, it is clear that individuals attain salvation not by their own will or works but through God's electing grace, as noted in passages like Ephesians 1:4-5. This perspective emphasizes the essential Reformed doctrine of total depravity, which affirms that without God's initiative, none would seek Him.
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