How does God's sovereign grace relate to election?

The doctrine of election is foundational in understanding God's sovereign grace. Romans 9:15-16 states, 'For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' This scripture articulates the truth that God’s choice of whom He saves is not based on human effort or merit but solely on His sovereign will. The sermon illustrates this by describing how God prepared the hearts of both Cornelius and Peter, emphasizing that God actively orchestrates events for the salvation of His elect. The assurance comes from recognizing that this election has been established before the foundation of the world, as reflected in Ephesians 1:4-5, where it states that believers were chosen in Christ to be holy and blameless. This understanding inspires humility and gratitude, as salvation is entirely a work of grace, giving no room for boasting.