Topical Bible: The Love of God: Exhibited in Quickening of Souls

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The love of God is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, manifesting in various ways, one of which is the quickening of souls. This divine quickening refers to the spiritual awakening and regeneration of individuals, bringing them from a state of spiritual death to life in Christ. The quickening of souls is a profound demonstration of God's love, as it reflects His desire for humanity to experience eternal life and communion with Him.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of quickening is rooted in the transformative power of God's love, as seen in Ephesians 2:4-5 : "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!" Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes that it is God's love and mercy that initiate the process of making us alive in Christ, highlighting the divine initiative in salvation.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the quickening of souls. In John 6:63 , Jesus declares, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration, breathing new life into the believer and enabling them to respond to God's call. This quickening is not a result of human effort but a supernatural act of God's love and grace.

The New Birth

The quickening of souls is often associated with the concept of being "born again," as Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:3-6 : "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again...unless he is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This new birth is a spiritual rebirth, a transformation that occurs when God's love penetrates the heart, leading to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Evidence of Quickening

The evidence of a quickened soul is seen in a transformed life. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 , Paul writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This transformation is a testament to the power of God's love, as it renews the mind, changes desires, and aligns the believer's life with God's will.

God's Sovereign Love

The quickening of souls underscores the sovereignty of God's love. In Romans 8:29-30 , Paul outlines the process of salvation, stating, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son...And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This passage highlights that God's love is purposeful and intentional, orchestrating the salvation of individuals according to His divine plan.

The Assurance of God's Love

The quickening of souls provides believers with the assurance of God's love and their eternal security in Him. In Romans 8:38-39 , Paul assures, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers...will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This assurance is rooted in the unchanging nature of God's love, which is the foundation of the believer's faith and hope.

Conclusion

The love of God, as exhibited in the quickening of souls, is a profound testament to His grace, mercy, and desire for a restored relationship with humanity. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the new birth, and the transformation of lives, God's love is made manifest, drawing individuals into a life-giving relationship with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:4,5
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... The work of grace exhibited in the eternal counsel can ... Hence in the constraining
desire of divine love for the ... Our knowledge of God is not complete except we ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

A Dialogue with God
... The poison-water is exhibited in many variously coloured and tasted draughts, but ...
Lord, save us, we perish,' have truly learned the love of God, and truly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god.htm

Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life
... he discharged our debt: in resurrection he exhibited the receipt of ... in this quickening
of souls unto God; and yet ... But instead thereof, in his free love he has ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/christs resurrection and our newness.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... Mount Sinai exhibited proofs of God's love, and ... Whatever other people do, humble
yourselves before God. ... the future seek that practical love which constitutes ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

Personal Service
... an inferior work to any which is exhibited in nature ... For the same reason, I moat
ever love the Religious ... an Christians have labored with it, and God has given ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/personal service.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... only cause, nothing more should be required to draw forth our love towards him ... of
the ungodly in not pondering the deep counsels of God, as exhibited in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

Diversities in Modes of Religious Development, and in The
... after the highest good, the kingdom of God, has not ... their resisting will, to him
whose love seeks the ... of the New Testament to one another, as exhibited to us ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/ 1 diversities in modes.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... Christ must be lived "unto Him," Christ's love must now ... Its condemnation is exhibited
by the Father's exaltation of the ... he can "see the kingdom of God" (John 3 ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

Article vi: of Confession and Satisfaction.
... was possible, their repentance had been first examined into and exhibited publicly ...
righteousness; they do not see that it requires true love to God "with the ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 16 article vi of.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... places so great was the passion and the enthusiasm she exhibited for each ... The Lord
your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm