" We are no different than he was. Jesus said in John three-eighteen that we’re condemned already. If all of us were born physically alive yet spiritually dead, how can we choose anything for ourselves spiritually speaking? “The answer is we can’t. The only way any sinner can cross over from spiritual death to life is if God takes the first step through regeneration, meaning He turns our stone hearts to flesh, and opens our eyes and ears spiritually. Until this happens, we are incapable of choosing Jesus. “The notion that any one of us chose Christ of our own accord runs contrary to what the scriptures teach. This fact bruises many egos and is a big reason why so many choose not to believe in God’s predestination, when clearly it is written. “Yes, we do choose Jesus, but only after we have been graciously regenerated from above can we ‘accept’ the Gospel message and ‘receive’ Christ as Lord and Savior. In this man’s case, it just happened on a bloody cross. And just like with us, God chose him first, not the other way around. "
― Patrick Higgins , I Never Knew You