July 23

A Welcome for All

"All whom the Father gives Me - will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me - I will never cast out!" John 6:37

We need not worry ourselves trying to harmonize the two parts 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 planned for our salvation - and then has given us to Christ to be His.

If this is true - then it is easy to understand the other part of this verse. Of course, Christ will never cast out any whom His Father gives to Him! They are His own; He knows them by name, and He loves them - for He died for them. Surely He will not pass by one of His own people - 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 verse; the latter part is all that really concerns us. If we truly come to Christ, we are here assured that He will never cast us out; but we must come. Then we shall find room enough, and a most loving welcome.