1. Before we look at this rich doctrine called predestination or election, we need to look at some underlying Scriptural truths.

A. Everyone is born with a sinful nature (original sin) that already damns him to hell and leads him to sin in thought, word, and deed every day (actual sin).  This sinful nature makes everyone an enemy of God and one who knows nothing about and can only resist the good news of our salvation in Jesus.

a.  We look at God’s Word

• Psalm 51:5 - Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
• Psalm 53:3  - Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
• Romans 8:7  - the sinful mind is hostile to God.
• Ephesians 2:1  - As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
• 1 Corinthians 2:14 - The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
• Romans 5:18 - the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men,

b.  We apply God’s Word

Some get into trouble with the doctrine of election because they lower their sight from God to themselves.  Consequently they look for answers in themselves as to why God chose some and not others.  They rationalize that some would be easier to bring to faith.  Or that some would be better candidates than others.  Or that some would cooperate in their conversion.