There are two major categories of objections to the reality of God’s sovereign election in salvation, fairness and personal freedom, that Paul anticipates and addresses as we wrestle with this challenging doctrine.  Just as a governor, who has the authority and prerogative, can pardon the convicted, so too does God in choosing to show mercy on some and not others.  This is not based on anything that we do but is the free gift of mercy shown to convicted and underserved sinners.  

 

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-6, 12-19, Romans 9:1-16