What does the Bible say about preparation for salvation?

In Luke 3, we see that John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the Lord, emphasizing that God is the one who prepares the hearts of sinners. The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue come from the Lord (Proverbs 16:1). This divine preparation involves revealing our sinful nature, helping us recognize our need for Christ, and showing that all our efforts or religious heritage cannot save us. The ultimate goal of this preparation is to point us to Christ, who is our salvation.