“He, everyone that thirsteth, come." (Isa. 55:1.)
(1) TO WHOM SHALL I COME?
(a) NOT TO MAN.
"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?" (Isa. 2:22; Jer. 17:5.)
(b) COME TO JESUS CHRIST.
"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28.)
(2) FOR WHAT AM I TO COME?
(a) COME FOR PARDON.
To Him (Jesus Christ) give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.
Through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38, 39.)
In whom (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 1:7.)
(b) COME FOR LIFE.
"He that hath the Son hath life; her that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:12.)
(c) COME FOR PEACE.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14:27.)
"He [Jesus Christ] is our Peace." (Eph. 2:14.) Christ "came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." (Eph. 1:17.)
Christ "having made peace through the blood of His cross." (Col. 1:20.)
(3) HOW AM I TO COME?
(a) COME AS A SINNER.
Jesus said, "I came not to call the righteous but SINNERS to repentance." (Luke 5:32.)
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS." (1 Tim. 1:15.)
(b) COME BELIEVING.
“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16.)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and BELIEVETH on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24.)
(4) THE TERMS OF COMING.
“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink." (John 7:37.)
“Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever, will, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:17.)
(5) WHEN AM I TO COME?
"Behold, Now is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2.)
(6) ENCOURAGEMENT TO COME.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord." (Isa. 1:18.)
“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting." (1 Tim. 1:15, 16.)
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3.)
“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and' drink.” (John 7:37.)
“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37.)
But I am a great sinner, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
But I am an old sinner, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
But I am a hard-hearted sinner, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
I have served Satan all my days, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
But I have sinned against light, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
But I have sinned against mercy, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
I have no good thing to bring, sayest thou.
I will in no wise cast out, says Christ.
Luke 7:36-50; Luke 23:39-42; John 4
JOHN BUNYAN.
Hark! the voice of Jesus calling,
“Come, ye laden, come to me;
I have rest and peace to offer,
Rest, thou laboring one, for thee:
Take salvation;
Take it now and happy be.”
Yes; though high in heavenly glory,
Still the Saviour calls to thee;
Faith can hear His gracious accents,
“Come, ye laden, come to me.
Take salvation;
Take it now and happy be.”