COME

The perverters of the gospel (see Gal.1:6-9) who oppose the great scriptural doctrine of the sovereign and unconditional election of a people in CHRIST usually imagine that this particular verse is a great antidote against that truth. Yet in the typical fashion of those who would wrest the scriptures, (see II Peter 3:16) to their own destruction, they misquote it and try to purport that it says something which it does not actually say.

How many is the time that we have heard the worshippers of free will, tell us that the scripture says, “Whosoever will may come.” While we do not necessarily completely oppose some of the point they are trying to make we are quite sure that this statement can nowhere be found in the scriptures. And we are also certain that we cannot discover anywhere in the scriptures that would describe the ability of men to approach unto GOD in the power of their own free will.

The state of natural man is described quite plainly as being “dead in trespasses and sins”. (Eph.2:1). Paul in writing to the Corinthians says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor 2:14) He describes man by nature again to the Ephesians, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:” (Eph 4:18); and also to the Romans, “their foolish heart was darkened.” (Rom 1:21)

Yet we are supposed to believe (according to the Bible twisters) that a man can come to CHRIST for salvation as easily (and with the same exercise of free will) as he can pick up a box of cereal off of the shelf in the supermarket. But the scriptures tell us, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Rom 3:11) This is exactly why the LORD told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, and why John writes of those who believe, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13)

The problem that all men have, apart from the awakening and enlightening work of the HOLY GHOST is that they are just like those Pharisee’s whom the LORD confronted saying, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40) and “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.” (John 8:43) Because men in their natural state are dead in trespasses and sins; they “will not” come to the LORD” because they “cannot” hear HIS word.

The only way that a man will seek the LORD is if the LORD HIMSELF through the operation of HIS HOLY SPIRIT does make him both able and willing. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. “ (Psa 110:3) “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:” (John 6:44) This is a privilege bestowed upon some according to the good pleasure of GOD and it is quite presumptuous on the part of man for him to think that he either would or could approach unto the LORD apart from the grace of GOD being visited upon him and giving him a mind and heart to desire the things of GOD.

The desire of the sons of GOD is to see the appearing of JESUS CHRIST. “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching.” (Luke 12:37) “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12-13) Therefore the SPIRIT of GOD who leads the sons of GOD into all truth says, “Come, LORD JESUS”. The Bride (those whom the LORD has loved from before the world’s foundation, (i.e.; the elect) says “Even so come LORD JESUS”.

The Bride has been chosen and purchased by CHRIST and HE will return to the earth at HIS appointed time to take possession of that which is HIS. Since the delight of the sons of GOD is found in the finished work of CHRIST, it is fitting that they would desire to see HIM in HIS glory. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Heb 9:28)

“And let him that heareth say, Come.” These who are purchased are one and the same with those that “hear” HIS word. They are made to “hear” by the operation of the SPIRIT of GOD. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17) Even as we read of Lydia “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” (Acts16:14)

So it is fitting that they be exhorted to say, “Come”, for is HE not the center of their attention, do they not cry to HIM night and day.? “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Psa 73:25-26)

“Let him that is athirst come”. The LORD JESUS CHRIST is a FOUNTAIN of LIVING WATER. HE said “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38) This ONE to whom the SPIRIT and the Bride say come is the source of LIFE itself. HE declared HIMSELF to be so and those that preach the everlasting gospel proclaim it as well.

The SPIRIT compels those to come whose hearts HE prepares to desire this WATER. They are those who thirst after it and HE has promised to supply their every need. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Mat 5:6) If a man thirsts for LIFE, he will have it according to the purpose of GOD. This cannot fail for both HE that calleth and HE that giveth life is ONE and the SAME. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1Thess 5:23-24)

“And whosever will, let him take the water of life freely”. It matters not what background or nationality a man may come from, if he is made willing in the day of the LORD’s power he may freely take of that which the LORD has provided for him. The LORD does not make “offers” or “invitations” which are open ended, rather HE calls HIS own sheep by name and does most certainly provide the complete need of everyone whom HE loves and calls. HE makes them hungry and thirsty. This is a command and an exhortation to the weak, the fatherless, the halt, the lame, the blind and all who know themselves to have no righteousness of their own.

HE does “freely” provide the water of LIFE to all who are the called according to HIS purpose, those who call upon HIS name and come unto GOD by HIM. Are you dying of thirst? “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isa 55:1-3)