God's Initiative in Salvation

Why Fallen Humanity Cannot Believe Without Divine Grace

Moe Bergeron

The question of whether humanity can come to Christ on its own or whether God must take the first step lies at the heart of understanding salvation. Scripture is clear: fallen humanity, in its natural state, is unable to seek, see, or believe in Christ without divine intervention. If God did not take the initiative, no one would repent or call upon Jesus Christ for salvation.

This fundamental truth begins with the condition of fallen humanity. In the aftermath of Adam's sin, every human being inherits a sinful nature, one that not only separates us from God but also renders us spiritually dead. In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul describes humanity as “dead in the trespasses and sins,” walking according to the ways of the world and the influence of the devil. Being spiritually dead means we are incapable of responding to God, unable to generate faith on our own. Moreover, Jesus himself declares in John 3:19 that people naturally love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. This love for darkness, a metaphor for sin and rebellion, shows that without God's intervention, our hearts remain hardened, our eyes blind to the truth, and our minds hostile to God.

This fallen state is further emphasized in Romans 8:7-8, where Paul says that the mind governed by the flesh is "hostile to God" and cannot submit to God's law. This means that apart from God’s gracious action, we are not just indifferent to God—we are actively opposed to Him, and we lack the ability to turn toward Him for salvation. Without God taking the first step, fallen humans would continue to reject the light of Christ and remain entrenched in their sin.

Given this reality, it becomes clear that God must take the initiative in salvation if anyone is to be saved. The Bible teaches that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace from beginning to end. This begins with God's sovereign election, a concept rooted in eternity past. In Ephesians 1:4-5, we learn that God chose His people “before the foundation of the world,” predestining them in love for adoption through Jesus Christ. This divine election is not based on anything we do but entirely on God's will and purpose. Before we even existed, God had already set His love upon those whom He would save.

But divine election alone is not enough—God must also act in time to bring this plan to fulfillment. This is where the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration becomes essential. Jesus makes it clear in John 6:44 that "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." This drawing is the work of the Holy Spirit, who regenerates the hearts of those who are spiritually dead, enabling them to see the beauty and truth of Christ. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless a person is “born again,” they cannot even see the kingdom of God. Being born again, or regenerated, is not something we can initiate. It is the supernatural work of God where He gives us a new heart, as promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27, transforming us from the inside out and causing us to walk in His ways.

This act of regeneration is what enables fallen humans to respond in faith. The faith that leads to salvation is not something we produce in ourselves; it is a gift from God. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Without God first regenerating the heart, we would never believe in Christ because, in our natural state, we are spiritually blind and enslaved to sin. The ability to believe in Jesus, repent of sin, and embrace salvation is all the result of God's initiating grace.

Furthermore, even repentance, the act of turning away from sin and toward God, is something that God grants. In Acts 11:18, when the Gentiles come to faith, the believers glorify God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” This shows that repentance is not something we can muster on our own, but a gift from God that He grants through His grace.

The implication of this is profound: if God did not take the initiative, no one would be saved. Left to our own devices, we would remain in unbelief, spiritually blind, and unable to turn to God. This underscores the sheer magnitude of God's grace in salvation. It is God who foreknows, elects, regenerates, and grants the gifts of faith and repentance. From start to finish, salvation is the work of God, entirely dependent on His mercy, not on our efforts or merits.

At the same time, this does not eliminate human responsibility. While it is true that God takes the initiative, we are still called to respond in faith and repentance. The gospel is freely offered to all, and those who reject Christ do so willingly. Yet even our ability to respond positively to the gospel is a result of God’s gracious work in us. This is the mystery that Scripture holds in tension: God is sovereign in salvation, but humans are still responsible for their response to Him.

Ultimately, because salvation begins with God's initiative, it is secure. In Romans 8:30, Paul lays out what has been called the "golden chain of salvation," declaring that those whom God predestines, He also calls, justifies, and glorifies. If God has chosen us and initiated our salvation by regenerating our hearts and giving us faith, we can be confident that He will also keep us and bring us to final glory. Philippians 1:6 assures us that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

In conclusion, if God did not take the initiative in salvation, fallen humanity, who loves and walks in darkness, would never come to Christ. Our spiritual blindness, deadness, and hostility toward God would keep us from ever seeking Him. But because of God's great love and mercy, He initiates our salvation through divine election, regeneration, and the gift of faith. This truth should humble us, reminding us that our salvation is entirely by grace, while also filling us with assurance that the God who began this work in us will faithfully bring it to completion. Without His initiative, we would remain lost—but with it, we are brought into the light of life.

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