Absent the regenerating work of The Lord on the dead depraved hearts of the elect, no one would brook God’s way of salvation. Men don’t understand grace and they don’t like grace.
Men dead in trespasses and sin instinctively believe they can fix themselves. If they could only understood the absolute holiness of God they would begin to see the utter futility of their works-based system, the folly of their self-salvation project. If they understood that the best they can possibly do, according to the prophet Isaiah, is nothing but “filthy rags” they might begin to understand their soul’s peril. Christ came to seek and save the lost. Most men don’t really believe they are lost. They don’t consider themselves sinners. They might admit they make mistakes, but they don’t see themselves as all that bad. They aren’t afflicted over their sin, they don’t perceive their deep need. In other words, they aren’t “poor in spirit.”
And God need not predestinate any sinner to hell. Death is the just wage of sin.
I edited what I was saying and failed to proofread. I should have deleted the word “could.” That one sentence should start...”If they only understood...” Pardon any typos, tense confusion or other errors. I struggle with this iPad.
If I’m understanding you, the answer to my question is he cannot.
If that’s true what is the purpose of the sermon?