¶610.2 Awakening to God
The Scriptures teach that by nature, humans are corrupt in every aspect of their beings and have gone far from original righteousness (Romans 3:23). Added to the depravity common to all because of the Fall, there are the enslaving effects of committed sins (John 8:34; Romans 6:16). We are unable in ourselves to come to God, but God in His grace reaches out to every sinner (Romans 5:6-8).
God takes the initiative in making sinners aware of their needs, using His Word, the revelation in Jesus Christ, the Gospel proclamation of the church, the witness of individuals, and the circumstances of life. By such means, the Holy Spirit awakens sinners to their needs and to the truth of the Gospel (John 16:8, 13). Awakened, they must make a response, either rejecting the call of God or turning to God in repentance and faith (Acts 2:37- 39).
