Predestination and the basis for trusting Christ

What grounds has God given to any sinner for trusting Christ? What is it to believe on the Lord Jesus?

1. Saving faith entails embracing the promises of God. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chp 14, para 2. Heb 11:13. There can be no faith if there are no promises to embrace.
2. The knowledge of whether we are elect is unattainable prior to the exercise of saving faith. 2 Pet 1:10; 1 Thess 1:4.
3. Any attempt to restrict the promises and invitations of the gospel to the elect makes saving faith an impossibility. Gospel promises only addressed to the elect are in effect addressed to no one.
4. All attempts to hedge the gospel invitation and to confine it to the elect are both wrong and futile. Christ is to be offered to sinners because they are sinners irrespective of whether they feel their need or not.
   Isa 55:1,2; John 4:10; Rev 22:17.
5. The true basis of faith is not dependent upon ignorance. Sinners are not saved by presuming upon texts which do not properly belong to them. Though preachers may hinder and restrict the offer, the Spirit nevertheless enables sinners to apply the gospel promises to themselves.
6. The answer does not lie in diluting the doctrine of election and limited atonement.
7. The true warrant of faith is in the conditional promise that God sends to all men indiscriminately. God gives as fair a warrant to believe to the reprobate as he does to the elect. Acts 13:26; 3:26. Evangelistic compassion and the goodness of God. 2 Cor 5:20; Acts 26:29.