C. H. Spurgeon wrote, "Election does not involve reprobation. There may be some who hold unconditional reprobation. I stand not here as their defender, let them defend themselves as best they can. ... If he be lost, damnation is all of man; but, if he be saved, still salvation is all of God."
Reprobation is a personal choice to reject the knowledge of God. It is described in Romans 1:28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. Reprobation is not God's choice. Those who are reprobate have made their own choice.
Reprobation gives those who are lost over to their own choice. Those who are reprobate reject the love and grace in Christ. Therefore, God gives the reprobate over to his own depravity. God is passive in reprobation, allowing those who are lost to go on in their sin and unbelief. Those who are reprobate are responsible for their own condemnation.
Election is God's choice; reprobation is the choice of those who are lost. God chose to save people in Christ before the world began (Ephesians 1:4-6). Those who are lost make an obstinate choice to reject God and His Son Jesus Christ. As Spurgeon stated, "If he be lost, damnation is all of man."
