Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
The Lord has mercy on anyone who has sinned away his life and confesses the truth. The Savior knows what failure feels like--no one has ever been "forsaken of God" as He has on His cross; that experience enabled Him ever after to sympathize with people who at last know they deserve to be forsaken of God, and feel heartbroken.
The Bible is full of "come's," inviting those who know they have sinned:
(1) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden" (Matt. 11:28). Who? The angst-laden souls convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit.
(2) "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37). Note: the invitation is specific: just those who are thirsty. You must feel it.
(3) "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34). This "come" will be spoken in the last Judgment Day, but if you come to Him as a sinner today you will revel in anticipating those words at last, for you will know and believe today that the kingdom was prepared for you from that long ago. That's included in justification by faith.
(4) In the wild storm on the lake, Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and begged, "'Lord, ... command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come'" (Matt. 14:25-29). He was totally unfit to walk on water, yet the Lord did not discourage him from doing what he wanted. He never discourages you in your desire to honor Him and to bless your fellowmen.
(5) "He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). How can He make you become a soul-winner? Simon and Andrew have moved aside; the call is now to you. Keep on "following [Him]." "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight" (Eccl 11:1, 2). That's a promise of soul-winning success. Be patient, and let it be fulfilled in you.
(6) "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid [hinder] them" (Mark 10:14). We must pray for forgiveness for blocking their way so often! When they see us as humble fellow-sinners, they will respond.
(7) To rich and powerful people (in this context), Jesus says, "'Come, take up the cross, and follow Me.'" We (He means all of us) are to "sell whatever you have and give to the poor'" (10:21). At this juncture on His great, final Day of Atonement, that makes good sense.
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 1, 2006.
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