Ability Quote by Jerry Bridges
“... we did decide to trust Christ, but the reason we made that decision is that God had first made us spiritually alive. ... God comes to us when we're spiritually dead, when we don't even realize our condition, and gives us the spiritual ability to see our plight and to see the solution in Christ. God comes all the way, not partway, to meet us in our need. When we were dead, He made us alive in Christ. And the first act of that new life is to turn in faith to Jesus.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges, 1994
Spiritual awakening occurs when God initiates life in us, prompting faith in Christ as the response to that new existence.
In simple terms: God gives us life, we respond with faith.
Key Takeaway
Recognize God's initiative and respond.
Themes
faith
spiritual rebirth
grace
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
scriptural
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual doubt
- seeking purpose
- religious conversion
Key Concepts
theology
salvation
divine initiative
Questions to Reflect On
- How have you experienced God’s initiating grace?
- What does turning to faith look like for you?
A Different Perspective
Human effort alone cannot initiate spiritual life; reliance on divine action is essential.
