I know it's hard to accept Corin, but the only WHY God gives us in the Scriptures is God's own good pleasure. He tells us He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. He doesn't tell us anymore than that. So you are asking a question that can't be answered the way you want it to......at least not by me.
What is the distinction between those chosen and those not chosen?
Intrinsically? Nothing.
The only distinction is that God decided to open the eyes and heart of one while letting the other go on about their life with eyes that don't see and a heart of stone.
Intrinsically? Nothing.
So it's a lottery?
I have always been amazed - not really - that the GRPL can hold on to its belief about predestination, yet can never explain away: Joshua 24:15 (New International Version) New International Version (NIV)
15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
How does one simply dismiss free will in light of this most unambiguous verse?
Well thanks. That was patronizing.
So you are asking a question that can't be answered the way you want it to......at least not by me.
How I want the question answered has nothing to do with whether or not it's a valid question.