If Reformed doctrine a/k/a Calvinism is correct in its first point of “Total Depravity” (the “T” of TULIP), then our only hope for salvation is “Unconditional Election” (the “U” of TULIP), the second point of Calvinism.
“Total Depravity” means that man is dead in sin. It means more, much more, but that is the essence. If man is dead in sin, he can never choose Christ. His only hope is that God will choose him for salvation and make him alive. There is no condition in man that motivates God to choose him. Remember he is dead in sin. One corpse does not look a whole lot better than another corpse.
So, what does Scripture state?
Romans 3:10-11:
“as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” (Emphasis added by bold, italic underline).
Ephesians 2:1-9:
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Emphasis added by bold, italic underline.)
Even our faith is a gift of God. There is no room for boasting based on our works. There is no room for boasting even for our faith. A dead man can’t boast. Lazarus couldn’t boast. We can’t boast. Our only hope for salvation is the “Unconditional Election” of God.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 