131 – Prompting Cause

PROMPTING CAUSE

§ 131. The application of the merits and benefits of Christ to the individual sinner is the work of God alone,1 who is moved thereto by the same universal grace 2 which moved Him to procure and work the redemption of mankind.3

1. The application of the merits and benefits of Christ to the individual sinner is the work of God alone,

  Ephesians 2:5, 8 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

  I Corinthians 12:3 No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

2. who is moved thereto by the same universal grace

  Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

  Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (V. 8 sub 1.)

  I Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

  II Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

  Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

  Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  Ezekiel 18:31-32 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

3.  which moved Him to procure and work the redemption of mankind.

  John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  I John 4:9–10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

  II Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.