If we start out in life NOT in Christ, as majority of preachers teach, then we are hopeless. Why? Because we start life NOT plugged in to the only source of power, Christ - the power of God (1 Cor 1:24), and therefore, being powerless, we can do NOTHING, just like what Christ said (John 15:5).
But preachers continue on harping that UNLESS man does SOMETHING first - accept, believe, etc.", he cannot be plugged in to the only source of power. For them, the electric bulb MUST shine first so it can be plugged in to the source of power. And they seem not to see the falsity in their teaching.