The question of whether God pursues us is an important one for those seeking to understand the nature of God’s relationship with humanity. The Bible has much to say on this topic, revealing a God who actively seeks out and draws people to Himself. Looking at key biblical passages and themes, we see a consistent picture of a God who takes the initiative to pursue wayward humans and bring them into relationship with Him.
God Pursues Us Because We Are Lost
A key starting point is recognizing that the Bible presents humanity as lost and in need of saving. Isaiah 53:6 states that “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.” Romans 3:23 further establishes that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus Himself said He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). So a core biblical truth is that humans are lost in sin and cannot find their own way back to God. We need Someone to pursue us and bring us home.
The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 illustrates this truth beautifully. The wayward young man ends up destitute among the pigs, unable to earn his way back home. But while he is still far off, the father sees him, feels compassion, runs to embrace him, and throws a party to celebrate his return. This metaphor shows humanity’s helpless state apart from God and the Father’s gracious pursuit of the lost.
God Takes the Initiative
From cover to cover, Scripture shows God taking the initiative to seek out lost people. After Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God, He called out “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9). When Abraham was worshiping false gods in Ur, God spoke to Him and told Him to go to the land He would show Him (Genesis 12:1, Joshua 24:2). The whole story of Israel’s election and deliverance from Egypt began not with them seeking God, but with God pursuing them.
This pattern continues in the New Testament. Jesus said clearly “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). The apostle Paul describes how he was going about persecuting Christians when Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road (Acts 9). Lydia came to faith when “the Lord opened her heart” (Acts 16:14). So we see again and again that salvation begins with God pursuing the lost, not vice versa.
God Draws Us to Himself
A key theme in Jesus’ teaching is that no one can come to God unless God the Father draws them (John 6:44). Humans in their natural state are blind, deaf and dead to the things of God (Ephesians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:14). So God must take supernatural action to open our eyes, unstop our ears, and give us new life in order to draw us to saving faith in Christ.
This does not mean people play no role at all. Scripture calls us to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). But our seeking is only ever a response to God’s initial pursuit of us. As Augustine put it, “We could not even seek You unless you had already found us.” Even our willingness to turn to Christ originates from God’s work in our hearts.
God Pursues Us Patiently
Though God initiates with lost people, He generally pursues them patiently over time, gradually drawing them toward salvation. Jesus told parables of a shepherd going to find one lost sheep and a woman searching for one lost coin, illustrating God’s tireless pursuit of individuals (Luke 15:3-10). He knocks persistently at the door of stubborn hearts (Revelation 3:20).
Throughout Israel’s history God sent messenger after messenger, despite their constant rebellion and rejection. Peter writes that God is “patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). So God pursues people steadfastly over time, working to bring them to repentance and faith according to His timing.
God Pursues Us For His Glory
Why does God go to such lengths to pursue lost people who spurn and resist Him? Scripture makes clear it is ultimately for His glory and the praise of His grace. Ephesians 1 teaches that God “predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace” (1:5-6). He pursues the lost, draws them to Christ, adopts them as children to magnify His glorious grace.
Jesus deliberately sought out and saved society’s outcasts and sinners in order to demonstrate God’s upside-down kingdom. Paul writes that God chooses the weak and foolish to shame the wise and strong, “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). When the unworthy and unlovely are saved, God gets all the glory.
God’s Pursuit Requires Our Response
While Scripture is clear that salvation begins with God’s initiative, it is also clear that God’s pursuit requires a response from us. As Acts 17:30 states, God “commands all people everywhere to repent.” Though God enables our response, the responsibility remains for us to repent, believe, and accept His gracious gift by faith.
God’s enabling but not irresistible pursuit means that tragically, many do ultimately reject His loving pursuit and refuse to turn to Christ. Jesus lamented over Jerusalem for this very reason (Luke 13:34). The book of Hebrews solemnly warns against those who have “tasted the heavenly gift” but fall away because of unbelief (Hebrews 6:4-6). God pursues, but we must still choose to receive His gift.
God Never Stops Pursuing His Children
God’s pursuit does not end once a person initially repents and believes. Jesus made clear that no one is able to snatch His sheep out of His hand or the Father’s hand (John 10:27-29). Paul expressed confidence that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). God’s protecting, correcting, providing, empowering pursuit continues throughout a believer’s lifelong walk of faith.
When we stumble and stray, Scripture promises that God will pursue us with loving discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). The Father runs to meet and restore wayward children, as seen in the story of the prodigal. God finishes what He started, pursuing His children all the way home to glory.
God Pursues Through His Word
One of the primary means God uses to pursue us is His Word. Scripture promises that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). So reading, hearing, and meditating on God’s Word is a key way He awakens faith in unbelievers and continues leading believers closer to Himself.
From His loving commands (Deuteronomy 6:5) to His gracious invitations (Isaiah 1:18) to His compelling promises (Jeremiah 29:11), God relentlessly pursues us through His Word. Scripture points us to Christ, stirs our hungry hearts, corrects our erring ways. As we expose ourselves to God’s Word, we open ourselves to His earnest pursuit.
God Pursues Through His Spirit
Along with His Word, God also pursues us through the convicting, enlightening work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He would send the Spirit to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). The Spirit chases us down, disturbing complacent hearts and drawing unbelievers to repentance and faith.
In salvation, the Spirit opens spiritually blind eyes and circumcised hearts to receive God’s truth (John 3:3, Romans 2:29). He continues applying Scripture to believer’s lives to sanctify, correct and conform us to Christ’s image (2 Thessalonians 2:13). So the Spirit powerfully pursues unbelievers to salvation and believers to sanctification.
God Pursues Through His People
In addition to His Word and Spirit, God pursues lost people through the lives and witness of His people. Scripture calls us “Christ’s ambassadors” and charges us to “implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are fellow workers with God in pursuing lost people towards salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Our compassionate deeds can point people to the heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16). Our courageous testimonies tell of His saving grace. Our joyful endurance shows the transforming power of new life in Christ. So God pursues the lost through His people, empowering our imperfect witness with His perfect truth and love.
God Pursues For Relationship
Behind God’s multifaceted pursuit through Word, Spirit and people is His ultimate purpose of gaining children to share intimate fellowship with. Jesus spoke of disciples who were not just servants obeying commands, but friends who knew His heart (John 15:15). God adopts us as beloved children and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17).
The Gospel of John highlights how Jesus pursued people not just for salvation, but for intimate relationship. He offers the woman at the well living water to quench her soul’s thirst forever (John 4). He declares Himself the bread of life who alone can satisfy the deepest human longings (John 6). He pursues relationship with us because He created us to find our joy, purpose and fulfillment in Him.
Practical Implications
Recognizing the biblical truth that God relentlessly pursues lost people has several very practical implications. Here are a few to ponder:
- It sparks worship when we realize the lengths God has gone to pursue us in our lost state.
- It ignites passion to pursue the lost even as God has pursued us.
- It motivates perseverance in sharing the gospel despite little “success.” God is at work!
- It inspires patience when we feel far from God, knowing His promise to complete His work in us.
- It encourages submission to Scripture that reminds us, corrects us, and draws us closer to God.
- It instills confidence that God will never abandon us, but finish the work He began.
Conclusion
In summary, a holistic look at Scripture reveals a God who relentlessly pursues lost and wayward humanity. From the garden of Eden to the Book of Revelation, God takes the initiative to seek, draw, and save the lost. His gracious pursuit continues through every up and down of the lifelong journey of faith. This magnificent truth offers deep comfort, inspiration and security to all who have been caught by God’s unfailing grace.