WHO WILL COME TO JESUS?

     By A. W. Tozer
 

   And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that
   heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.
   And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
                                                                 -  -  Revelation 22:17
 

        God's invitation to men is broad, but not unqualified.
    The words "whosoever will may come"  throws the door
    open, indeed, but the church is carrying the gospel
    invitation far beyond its proper bounds; turning it into
    something more human and less divine than that found
    in the sacred Scriptures.
 

        What we tend to overlook is that the word "whosoever"
    never stands by itself.  Always its meaning is modified by
    the word "believe" or "will" or "come."
 

        According to the teachings of Christ, no one will or can
    come and believe, unless there has been done within him
    a prevenient work of God enabling him to do so.
 

        In the sixth chapter of John, Jesus teaches as that no
    one can come of himself; he must first be drawn by the
    Father.  Jesus said --- "It is the Spirit that quickeneth;
    the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you,
    they are spirit, and they are life."                - - John 6:63
 

        Before any man or woman can be saved, he or she must
    feel a consuming spiritual hunger.  Where a hungry heart
    is found, we may be sure that God was there first --- "Ye
    have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" -  -  John 15:16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Yours in Christ,
    Paul N. F.