What is the connection between the sound of a siren, an advertisement for life insurance, an upcoming doctor’s visit, and a friend’s inquiry about Calvinism vs Arminianism?
I’ll admit it was the friend’s question that caused me to make the connection with what would otherwise be routine and mundane events. The thread that ties them together is action ahead of need.
Our local council anticipated that there would be a need for fire, abulance or police services in our community and made provision for those services to be available. The siren was proof that the foresight was justified!
The life insurance advertisement was making the point that it would be a loving and responsible thing to do to make provision for our loved ones to take care of our “final expenses”. Although it would not benefit us personally, it would make us feel good knowing that we had done a good thing when we eventually die.
The doctor’s appointment reminded me that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. It’s better to prevent rather than have to treat a medical condition.
And the theological question reminded me of prevenient grace, a cornerstone of Wesleyan-Arminian theology. It is God’s unmerited favor that precedes human response, preparing every heart to encounter the gospel. It’s not the grace that saves but the one that makes salvation possible, enabling free will and awakening spiritual awareness. This divine initiative reaches everyone, inviting them to respond to God’s love.
At its heart, prevenient grace is God’s proactive love for humanity, countering sin’s effects and opening the door to faith. John 3:16 (NLT) captures this beautifully: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” The phrase “the world” underscores that God’s grace reaches every person—rich, poor, believer, or skeptic. Prevenient grace is God’s universal invitation, stirring hearts to recognize His truth before any conscious decision is made, ensuring no one is left out of His redemptive plan.
This grace flows entirely from God’s initiative. Romans 5:8 (NLT) explains, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Before we seek God, He’s already at work, offering grace that precedes our response.
Prevenient grace appears in countless ways: sometimes through creation’s beauty, the tug of conscience, or moments of human compassion. Psalm 19:1 (NLT) declares, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” A vibrant sunset can spark wonder, pointing to a Creator. Likewise, John 16:8 (NLT) notes, “And when [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” This conviction is prevenient grace, gently nudging people toward their need for God.
It was the science fiction writer Robert Heinlein who coined the acronym TANSTASFL (“There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch”) meaning that although something might be provided free of charge there is always an underlying cost. The price of prevenient grace to us is nothing—it’s freely given, but the cost to God was enormous — check out the Good Friday/Easter story again.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians tells us, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
Prevenient grace operates similarly, requiring no payment from us — He takes care of the bill. It’s God’s gift, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to turn toward Him.
You don’t “obtain” prevenient grace—it’s already present. As 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) says, God “doesn’t want anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance.” This grace is active from birth, enabling free will to accept or reject God’s offer. Like firemen and paramedics who serve without prejudice, prevenient grace is a constant, open invitation, requiring only a willingness to respond.
Yet, this grace can be resisted. Since it honors free will, people can ignore it. Hebrews 3:15 (NLT) warns, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Repeatedly dismissing grace’s gentle nudge risks closing one’s heart, much like neglecting the service of first responders could weaken a community.
Everyone is eligible for prevenient grace. 1 Timothy 2:4 (NLT) affirms that God “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” This grace reaches all, ensuring universal access to God’s call.
Prevenient grace is God’s anticipation of our need for redemption. It’s his preparatory gift, inviting all to salvation. Scriptures like John 3:16, Romans 5:8, and 2 Peter 3:9 reveal its free, inclusive nature, active in creation, conscience, and societal roles. While it can be resisted, prevenient grace ensures every heart has the chance to respond to God’s eternal invitation, fostering hope for all.
May I suggest that the next, and every, time you hear a siren, see an ad for life insurance, or make an appointment for a check-up, you thank God for his lovely gift of grace! I’m sure He’ll be pleased if you do!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study