Synopsis

Following the revelation that divine justice is inseparable from divine love, this chapter deepens the message by showing that God Himself takes the first step toward humanity. The author emphasizes that the relationship between Creator and creation does not begin with human repentance or belief, but with God’s initiating grace. Through Scripture and reflection, this chapter presents a God who seeks, pursues, and reconciles. His initiative demonstrates not only His sovereignty but also the depth of His affection—a love so great that it overcomes sin, disbelief, and rebellion. By initiating the relationship, God ensures that His will to save all will not fail. This truth forms the foundation of *The Blessed Hope*, that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion in Christ Jesus.

God initiates every true relationship between Himself and humankind. It is never we who find Him first—it is He who finds us. Before the foundation of the world, He purposed to draw us into His love, that we might know Him as Father. His grace is not a response to our seeking, but the cause of it. All through Scripture, God reveals Himself as the One who acts first. He calls before we answer, loves before we love, and forgives before we repent.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) This single verse captures the divine order of salvation. God does not wait for us to become worthy of His affection. He initiates love while we are yet unworthy, while we are still lost. “But God commends His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

When Adam and Eve hid themselves in the garden, it was God who came seeking. “Adam, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) That call has echoed through every generation since.
It was not a cry of condemnation, but of compassion. From the beginning, God’s nature has been to seek the lost and restore the broken. He initiates the relationship because love compels Him to do so.

The Scriptures are filled with examples of God taking the first step. He called Abram from Ur, revealing a covenant that would bless all nations. (Genesis 12:1–3) He called Moses from the wilderness to deliver His people from bondage. (Exodus 3:4–10) He called Israel from exile and promised to give them a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 36:26) He sent His prophets, His Word, and ultimately His Son. In every instance, it was God who initiated reconciliation. Humanity’s response is secondary—it is the fruit of His grace.

The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4–7) demonstrates this truth beautifully. The shepherd does not wait for the sheep to find its way home; he leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that is lost. He carries it back on his shoulders, rejoicing. This is the image of divine initiative. God seeks until He finds, and He will not rest until all are gathered into His fold. That is the nature of His love—it is relentless and victorious.

Our faith is not the foundation of salvation but the evidence of it. We believe because He gives us faith. We repent because His kindness leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
God’s grace is not a reaction to human decision; it is the eternal cause of it. Every heart that turns toward Him does so because He has already turned toward that heart.
He is the author and finisher of faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

If salvation depended on human initiative, it would fail. We are finite, frail, and easily deceived. But God’s initiative cannot fail because it is rooted in His eternal purpose.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29) God’s plan is not reactionary; it is deliberate and complete. His love is not contingent upon our acceptance—it is absolute, unchanging, and everlasting.

Jesus revealed this divine initiative most clearly in His ministry. He sought out those the world had forgotten. He dined with sinners, healed the unclean, and forgave the condemned. When He encountered Zacchaeus, it was Jesus who looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5) Zacchaeus did not seek Him—Christ sought Zacchaeus. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Even our prayers are a response to God’s prompting. “The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) It is God who stirs the heart to pray and gives words to those who have none. He initiates communion with His creation and sustains it by His Spirit. Our relationship with Him is therefore not fragile—it rests on His faithfulness, not ours.

The entire story of redemption, from Genesis to Revelation, is the story of divine pursuit. God moves first, and humanity follows. He establishes the covenant, fulfills the law, and opens the way to Himself through Christ. His initiative ensures the outcome: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” (John 12:32) The drawing is His work, and the reconciliation is His goal.

God’s initiative leaves no room for pride. Salvation is not our accomplishment—it is His gift. (Ephesians 2:8–9) The relationship begins and ends in Him. He initiates, sustains, and completes it. His love is the first word and the last. This is *The Blessed Hope*—that the relationship He began before time will be perfected in eternity, when every heart knows its Maker and every soul is reconciled to His love.

Conclusion

God’s love does not wait—it acts. His mercy does not respond—it initiates. Every relationship with Him begins by His design and continues by His grace. He is the seeker, the Savior, and the sustainer of all. In His divine initiative, we find the assurance that His will to reconcile will prevail. Because He began the relationship, it cannot fail. This is the security of every believer and the certainty of *The Blessed Hope*—that the love which sought us will one day bring all home to Him.

Endnotes

1. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain. The WEB is a modern English translation based on the American Standard Version (1901) and other public domain sources. Its purpose is to make the Word of God freely available to all.

The full condensed version of “God’s Gift to Humanity” is available here.