No good nor evil that anyone has done but of Him alone Who calls: “…(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls)…” (Romans 9:11 NKJV). The choice of salvation does not depend upon man: “…Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NASB). It is solely God’s divine choice (John 10:16; Romans 8:28-30; Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 14:6).
Let us consider the doctrine of blessed self-despair. It is when the poor sinner is most near to grace as Luther taught. “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16 NASB). Have you understood and experienced “blessed self-despair”? It is when you realize you cannot save yourself.
