Dear Church,
I realized recently that I began writing these weekly devotionals back in 2020. I've written to you about many things over the past 4.5 years and I look forward to sending many more as I learn and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the coming weeks, I plan to pull from some of my previous devotionals, sometimes a quote or two, other times expanding on what I wrote. In particular, I want to rework/reintroduce the devotionals I wrote on the topic of fear and on the solas of the Reformation.
Along that vein I want to expand on a book I have mentioned before; John Bunyan's book Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ.* It is as the title suggests an invitation to come to Jesus. More specifically the book is an extended teaching on one verse, John 6:37, which says,
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (KJV)
Notice the unity of the Father and the Son, for those the Father gives, the Son receives. The Triune God is of one heart and one will. Thus, ALL the Father gives will come and be welcomed by Christ. There is not one whom God has purposed to redeem who shall not be saved, and there is not one who comes to Christ (in truth, not pretense) who will ever be cast out.
The expression "in no wise" (KJV) is an old English way of expressing the double negative in the Greek, today we would say "whoever comes to me, I will never ever cast out".
Bunyan writes about this phrase:
"First, That which is expressed is Christ Jesus, his unchangeable resolution to save the coming sinner; I will in no wise reject him, or deny him the benefit of my death and righteousness.... 'Thus saith the Lord If heaven above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.' (Jere 31:37) ... But heaven cannot be measured nor the foundations of the earth searched out beneath... By this, therefore, it is manifest, that it was not the greatness of sin, nor the long continuance in it, no, nor yet the backsliding, nor the pollution of thy nature, that can put a bar in against, or a hindrance of the salvation of the coming sinner. For, if indeed this could be, then would this solemn and absolute determination of the Lord Jesus, of itself fall to the ground, and be made of none effect. But his 'counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure;' ... Suppose a man hath a desire to be saved, and for that purpose is coming in truth to Jesus Christ; but he by his debauched life has damned many in hell; why the door of hope is by these words set as open for him, as for him that has not the thousandth part of his transgressions. 'And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' Suppose a man is coming to Christ to be saved, and hath nothing but sin, and an ill-spent life, to bring with him; why let him come, and welcome to Jesus Christ, 'And he will in no wise cast him out.' (Luke 7:42). Is not this love that passeth knowledge? Is not this love the wonderment of angels? And is not this love worthy of all acceptance at the hands and hearts of all coming sinners".
Truly there is no greater love.
We love up to a limit, but Christ's love is boundless towards all who come to Him.
Bunyan goes on to speak of hindrances in coming to Christ. We think "yes, but I've sinned too long" or "my sin is too great a sin". But Christ says "come & welcome".
Now it is important to note that Jesus does not give sin a free pass, nor does He say "now go do whatever you want". Instead He Himself bore the dreadful cost for sin & promises to persevere with us & change us from our desires to our actions. He gives the will and the power to do that which is pleasing to Him (Philippians 2:12-13).
Yet still you may say, "how can I be sure I belong to Christ?" The answer is found in our text, namely, that the one coming is given this promise "whoever comes to me I will never cast out". Do you wish to be assured of his love? Go to Christ. Acknowledge your unworthiness and ask Him for grace. Go to Him, though you stumble and fall, for He has promised "whoever comes to me I will never cast out".
Grace & Peace,
Matt
P.S. I would be remiss if I did not mention Dane Ortlund's book Gentle & Lowly for it is there that I first came across John Bunyan's book Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ. Though at times he overstates his point, his book is a good reminder of the heart of Christ.
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*The full title is Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ (or a plain and profitable discourse on John VI. 37: showing the cause, truth, and manner of the coming of a sinner to Jesus Christ; with his happy reception and blessed entertainment).
Matthew Deneault
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