Then we are helpless and hopeless.
Yes, by ourselves, that's exactly right.
But, in Christ, everyone is invited. God knocks on everyone's heart and doesn't bar anyone from coming to Him. The decision is ours, by His permission.
If all God does is offer, and leaves it up to us to save ourselves, then He doesn't care which of us is saved, or which become His children. He is turning His back and washing His hands of the decision. I think God cares much more than that. He LOVES His children, and because of that love, He saves them.
FK: Yes, by ourselves, that's exactly right
We were created in His image and given dominion on earth. He created us in His likeness so that we may be reasonable, merciful and moral beings, not helpless morons.
That we use those blessings to condemn ourselves to hell is not His, but our choosing. We can equally choose to cleave to God and be saved. It's a choice, for the wicked do not seek after God (cf Ps 10:4).
If all God does is offer, and leaves it up to us to save ourselves, then He doesn't care which of us is saved, or which become His children. He is turning His back and washing His hands of the decision. I think God cares much more than that
God offers His saving grace to all because He desires to have all men saved (cf 1 Tim 2:4), and He does not desire or delight in death (perdition) even of the wicked (cf Eze 18:23) or anyone for that matter (cf Eze 18:32).
It is a Christian hope (faith) that He is the Savior of all men, especially of believers (cf 1 Tim 4:10), and that the grace of God brings salvation to all men (cf Titus 2:11) [who will come to Him], for God would have none perish but rather have all come to repentance (cf 2 Pet 3:9).
He offers to everyone, not only some, precisely because He loves everyone, even the wicked. For the scripture leaves no doubt that God is impartial (cf Deu 10:17, 2 Chr 19:7, Act 10:34, Rom 2:11, Gal 2:6, Eph 6:9 Col 3:25, 1 Pet 1:17)