"But the first principle in God’s plan is that He begins the process of salvation and He ends it. Nothing begins with us. 11:35: “Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?” If it could be said that man in any way initiates His salvation by doing something right like believing, then a reward might be expected. But that would not be true faith motivated by agape. That would be self-interested trust hoping for its due reward." --Paul E. Penno
The Election of Grace: Romans 10 & 11 Verse-by-Verse