“Proud, self-centered human nature desires to have some control and to make some contribution toward salvation. To become utterly dependent on God’s grace for forgiveness and salvation requires a genuine confession aptly summed up in the words of a familiar hymn: ‘Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling’ (A. M. Toplady). The free gift of salvation involves repentance and acceptance of God’s grace alone, but self-sufficient humans would rather add something that can be externally observed and for which they can claim credit.”[1]

[1] Thomas D. Lea & Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, (Nashville: Broadman, 1992), 294.