God "predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:5)

In His eternal purpose, the Lord appoints the destiny of His children, yet He does not extinguish the freedom of the human will. The divine act precedes all things; nevertheless, our assent remains indispensable.

The following is a marginal note concerning this verse from the Orthodox Study Bible: "Being predestined by God does not nullify human will; in everything God is the Originator, the Initiator - we merely respond, but our response is necessary. Becoming a Christian is not so much inviting Christ into one's life as getting oneself into Christ's life. What is true of Christ must become true of one who is in Him."