We all come into the world stained with sin. Just as every sip of properly brewed tea is equally infused with color and flavor, so every aspect of life is equally stained by sin. Every thought and intention is affected. “Every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5). We do all that we can to avoid God, and we will not bow to Christ. Why? “Because the mindset of the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so” (Rom 8:7). Depravity is total.

Although we could do nothing to merit God’s favor, God “chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons” (Eph. 1:4-5). Election is unconditional.

Although we could not take the first step toward God, “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). Others are not brought to God. They must suffer the punishment they are due for their own sins. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). Atonement is limited.

Although we are brought to God, it is not kicking and screaming. God makes us willing to come to Him. “Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power” (Ps. 110:3). God makes us willing by taking us out of the grave of sin and making us alive to Him. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:4-5). This grace is irresistible.

Now, as Jesus declares, perseverance is needed. “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved” (Mark 13:13). By His grace operative within you, God enables you to work out the implications of your salvation in all areas of life. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Yes, God is at work within the believer. He works on your willingness to do His good pleasure. He also empowers the doing of His good pleasure. You seek to follow God’s commandments. You seek to follow Jesus Christ and model your life after Him.

How is this new life possible? God overturns depravity by removing your stone-cold heart and by giving you a pliable, spiritually attuned heart. Stains from sin may still exist, but you now experience “the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). When God gives you the gift of His Spirit, He causes you to follow His good pleasure. Although you may not follow God’s revealed will perfectly, part of God’s good pleasure is that you seek forgiveness for your sins, repent of them, and continually seek newness of life in Him.

Here is God’s promise. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances” (Ezek. 36:26-27). Your perseverance is God’s perseverance.