God didn’t wait for us to improve our sinful condition before giving us salvation. He set His love on us while we were spiritually dead in our sins, in spite of our wickedness.
He reached down to us when He knew we could not and would not reach up to Him.
Ephesians 2:3-5 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
God makes the first move in salvation because the lost sinner is incapable of making the first move toward God.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
“But God” marks the difference between life and death—a life of turmoil and a life of peace—a life of sin and sorrow and a life lived to the glory of God—a life between salvation and damnation—a life between Heaven and Hell.
In the Lord’s mercy He turns His wrath away from the “children of wrath” and extends to them His forgiveness and salvation. He doesn’t give them the judgment they deserve.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
