That pretty well answers it. And I tend to agree with you up to the point of - reversing the phrasing - God choosing some for eternal damnation.
This wasn't the case with you or I and I know of none that it was the case for. This is not proof of course. My "proof," outside of Church teaching and doctrine, is God as I know Him. That's the basis of my question.
I would reject your reading of Romans because it describes God quite differently than I know from experience. In Protestant terms, I think I would say the Holy Spirit would not guide me to this reading. (I should add that I read about God as revealed to some OT writers differently than God as revealed in the Gospels.)
I mean this as a discussion of views, not as personal criticism.
thanks for your reply..
What you are describing is double-predestination - which is not what I believe the Bible teaches. Again, God forces nobody to go to Hell. And the "fairness" doctrine I hear so much about isn't really what people want. People don't want God to be fair because fair is sending ALL to Hell. Fair is not having His Son pay our penalty.
Romans 9 says that God basically "puts up with" objects that are fit for destruction in order to illustrate to those objects fit for His grace what His grace is all about. He allows those people THEIR own choice. I reject the concept of free will however for the lost because they are bound by sin. But, it's their desire to be against God. So, rather than telling people "YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO COME" God, recognizing that NOBODY would come on their own, chooses to save some while allowing the others their own inclinations. Again, He'd be fair to send ALL to Hell and isn't obligated to save anyone. Mercy and grace are what God exhibits when saving the individuals who will be saved.