And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:28-30 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:44 (NIV)
To think that salvation begins with our repenting of our sins and asking Jesus into our hearts is not the way the Scriptures reveal the whole process of salvation.
Rather, salvation always begins with God’s prior action. He acts, and we accept or resist.
It always happens in that pattern.
Timothy C. Tennent, Foundations of the Christian Faith, p. 93
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.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
He (God) wants not only us but everyone saved,
you know, everyone to get to know the truth
we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one,
and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free.
1 Timothy 2:4-6a THE MESSAGE (MSG)
And my God will meet all your needs according
to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Now I’m alive to tell the story – How I’ve overcome
It’s His goodness and mercy – And the power of His blood
I’m so glad that my freedom – Wasn’t based on what I’ve done
But the goodness and mercy – And the power of the blood
– Mercy, Elevation Worship