How does God initiate salvation according to Scripture?

The initiation of salvation is a foundational concept within Scripture, asserting that it is entirely an act of God. Ezekiel 16 illustrates how God takes the initiative to call His people out of their polluted state, stating, 'I passed by thee.' This metaphor of passing by signifies God's sovereignty in selecting and redeeming a people for Himself. Throughout the Bible, we see this divine initiative, as in Romans 8:30, which exemplifies how those God predestines, He also calls. God's initiative is also evident during the ministry of Jesus, who actively sought the lost, as noted in Luke 19:10, 'For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.' This highlights that salvation is not a matter of human effort but rather a result of God's unmerited kindness towards His chosen ones.