What does the Bible say about free will and salvation?

The biblical perspective on free will in relation to salvation presents a fundamental conflict with the idea that humans are free to choose salvation independently of God's intervention. Romans 9:16 articulates, 'So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.' This underscores the notion that human beings, blinded and bound by sin, cannot self-initiate their own salvation. Instead, it is God who intervenes, regenerates, and draws sinners to Himself. Furthermore, biblical passages portray humanity's spiritual condition as one of total depravity, where the natural inclination is consistently towards sin and rebellion against God (Ephesians 2:1-3). This teaching posits that without the sovereign grace of God, no one would seek or choose Him. Thus, salvation as described in Scripture emphasizes God's initiative over human autonomy, highlighting the necessity of grace in the redemptive process.