Grace is not merely God's response to the sinner's initiative. Quite the opposite. Because He is gracious, God takes the initiative - John MacArthur

Grace is not merely God's response to the sinner's initiative. Quite the opposite. Because He is gracious, God takes the initiative, drawing the sinner (John 6:44, 65), granting repentance (Acts 3:26; 5:31; 11:18), and awakening the heart to faith (Acts 13:48; 16:14). Every aspect of the believer's response—conviction, repentance, and faith—is the result of God's gracious work in the heart. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).


John MacArthur

A 15-Year Retrospective on the Lordship Controversy