July 25

A Welcome for All

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. — John 6:37

We need not worry ourselves trying to harmonize the two pars of this verse; we can believe them both, and find great comfort and joy in them. Together they bring to every Christian a glorious and double confidence. Surely it is a blessed thing to know that God has thought about our salvation and planned for it, and then given us to Christ to be His.

If this be true, it is easy to understand the other part of this verse. Of course Christ will not cast out any whom His Father gives to Him. They are His own; He knows them by name, and loves them, for He died for them. Surely He will not pass by one of His own when He finds him lying by the wayside or among the thorns, wounded, bleeding, dying, but will take him up and bear him home in safety. We need not give ourselves any anxiety about the former part of this sentence; the latter part is all that really concerns us. If we truly come to Christ, we are here assured that He will in no wise cast us out; but we must come. Then we shall find room enough, and a most loving welcome.

  “No father’s house is full,
E‘en though there seems no resting-place for more;
  Forgiving arms and doors do open wide,
If one repentant child implore
        Outside.

  “No mother’s heart is full,
Unless it be with longing, burning wild,
  Heart throbbings that no cheerful face can hide,
The wish to clasp her sinning child
        Outside.

  “God’s flock is never full:
Fear not to enter boldly at his door;
  None ever were refused who there applied;
He hath abiding-place for more
        Inside.”