There is a very solemn truth in these words of Jesus, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” This is so, as it regards the salvation of the soul. Man will not come to Christ; he will do his own will, and that will is sin. But there is another sense in which this is true; “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” We shall see in the next verse that it is written, “And they shall all be taught of God.” (John 6:37, 44, 45.) This is a wonderful promise to those whom the Father draws to Christ. “They shall be all taught of God.” Jesus spoke further on this subject. “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (Ver. 65.) There is then a coming unto Jesus: that no one can take, unless it be given him of the Father. Any other position, a man can take according to his own choice, or will. He can be a Romanist, or a Protestant, a so-called Churchman, or a Dissenter—he can join any of the divisions of Christendom. But Jesus says, “No man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” And, in contrast with all the error and discord of men, it is written of such, “They shall be all taught of God.” They are taught of God to be gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
No doubt this is very separating truth. It is a searching question, Have I been thus drawn to the Lord Jesus Himself? Has this high privilege been given in richest grace unto me of the Father? Is there such a reality in these days of division? There is such a position distinctly pointed out in the very last days of Christendom. In the revelation of the Lord’s judgment of Romanism, and of Protestantism as it now is. (Rev. 2:18-29; 3:1-6.) The Lord reveals Himself also to a feeble company or remnant, as He that is the holy and the true. He says, “Thou hast a little strength, and hast not denied my name.” And this remnant is told, “Behold I come quickly; hold that fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” This is not gathering merely as a multitude professedly to Jesus; but it is holding fast the testimony of Holiness and Truth. To hold His name, or bear His name, with unrighteousness, would be to deny Him who is the holy and the true.
This position then in holiness and truth is to be held fast until the coming of the Lord by those to whom it is given of the Father. We have said before this is separating truth. It did separate. There was a crowd apparently gathered to Jesus and walking with Him. “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” We have seen this again forty years ago. A testing time came whether the testimony should be to “he that is holy, and he that is true.” And “from that time many of his disciples walked no more with him.” What a warning fact this is to all professedly gathered to Him. Oh, how many that turned aside then, and since, walked no more with Him.
From time to time profession is tested. Has not such a moment again arrived? Oh, how many that one might have thought would have walked with Him, until caught up to meet Him in the air, are being turned aside from Him that is holy and true! We do not here speak of the question of salvation; but of that unspeakably blessed position of walking with Him and gathered to Him in holiness and truth. Oh let such remember those words, “Walked no more with Him.” Some may be deceived by fair words, and turned aside for a moment, and will be restored. But does not the heart of Christ feel the perverse things said to lead away disciples? Let such ponder that verse in the prophets, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.” (Isa. 5:20, 21.)
Some who read these lines may be tempted to say, “that the highly privileged place of being gathered to Christ the holy, the true, is all gone and lost, and that there is nothing left but the individual salvation of God. We might as well give up all else, there is nothing left of that blessed position we once knew.” Ah, doubting ones, listen not to Satan. Has not Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them?” (Matt. 28:20.) Is not this as true now, as if the whole church of God was gathered together as at the beginning? Surely His blessed presence in the assembly is enough, both for authority and blessing, however few, even if two or three are gathered unto Him.
Jesus has now a word with us all. He says, “Will ye also go away?” If the reader has been drawn of the Father from all the divisions of men; if it has been given you of the Father, to come unto the holy and the true; if you know Him, and are really not gathered to the multitude, or to men, but to Christ; then surely your reply must be that of Simon Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” If gathered amid the redeemed myriads around the Lamb in the glory, would you then depart from Him? Is not His presence as real to faith now as ever it was, where two or three are gathered together in His name?
May we not only enjoy this wondrous position as given to us of the Father; but may He grant that we may answer to it in holiness and truth. Is there any wonder that Satan should seek to mar, and destroy, if he could, that testimony so dear to the Father’s heart? The Father has restored this privilege of being gathered to Christ; may we hold it fast in the peace of His presence; and to any who are tempted to turn aside we would press those solemn words, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Oh, beware of ceasing to walk with the Lord.
C. S.