How is it that some of us are converted? By Charles Spurgeon

Just as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all. For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. Romans 9, verses 13-16.

No doctrine in the whole Word of God has more excited the hatred of mankind than the truth of the absolute sovereignty of God. Some men cannot endure to hear the doctrine of election. I suppose they like to choose their own wives, but they are not willing that Christ should select His bride, the Church.

How is it that some of us are converted, while our companions in sin are left to continue in their godless course? Was there anything good in us that moved the heart of God to save us? God forbid that we should indulge the blasphemous thought. By the grace of God, I am what I am. 1 Corinthians 15, verse 10.

From the word of God I gather that damnation is all of man, from top to bottom, and that salvation is all of grace, from first to last. He who perishes chooses to perish, but he who is saved is saved because God has chosen to save him. Electing love has selected some of the worst people and made them into the best.

Whatever may be said about the doctrine of election, it is written in the Word of God as with an iron pen, and there is no getting rid of it. To me, it is one of the sweetest and most blessed truths in the whole of Scripture. Those who are afraid of it are so, because they do not understand it. If they could but know that the Lord had chosen them, it would make their hearts dance for joy.

Do not stagger at the truth of electing love. It is one of the highest notes of heavenly music. Do not be afraid of such a verse as this. I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore, with loving kindness, I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31, verse 3.

God's electing love has, in many cases, selected great fools and great sinners. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the strong, and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, so that no one may boast before Him." 1 Corinthians 1 verse 29.

I can never cease to be astonished that God has elected unworthy me.