John 1 -- paradoxical salvation

Paradox is a wonderful word derived from the Greek, meaning two parallel thoughts, apparently contradictory, yet both true. John frequently used this form of word play, and reports on paradoxes Jesus taught. For example, whose idea is it for men to know and walk with God? Let's look at a few lines from the prologue to John's gospel:

Joh 1:10 O, dünyadaydı, dünya O'nun aracılığıyla var oldu, ama dünya O'nu tanımadı.
Joh 1:11 Kendi yurduna geldi, ama kendi halkı O'nu kabul etmedi.
Joh 1:12 Kendisini kabul edip adına iman edenlerin hepsine Tanrı'nın çocukları olma hakkını verdi.
Joh 1:13 Onlar ne kandan, ne beden ne de insan isteğinden doğdular; tersine, Tanrı'dan doğdular.

The Playwright walks onto the stage of his creation, but the best boys and key grips rudely hustle him to the exit. He knocks on the door of his own relative's house, and they don't know him. But that's all right -- whoever will recognize him can become his kin! Even if they aren't blood relatives, even if they had other things in mind when he showed up.

Salvation -- something we experience as we repent. Repentance -- something we do, something that God gives us. A paradox? Indeed. Since we're not God we can't understand how He works in our lives, let alone why. This little ditty (Deficient Grace) mocks folks who assert that they saved themselves through heroic acts of will. After all, if we are saved, ultimately, by sovereign acts of our divine will, then we can un-save ourselves at a whim. If, however, salvation is a form of conscription, the One who calls us will keep us.
He came to his own country, but his own people did not welcome him.
However, those who did embrace in faith his l\name all were given the authority to become children of God.