July 25

A Welcome for All

Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. — John 6:37 BSB

We don’t need to trouble ourselves trying to reconcile the two parts of this verse; we can believe both and find great comfort and joy in them. Together, they offer Christians a glorious double assurance. It’s a wonderful thing to know that God has thought about our salvation, planned for it, and given us to Christ to be His.

If this is true, it’s easy to understand the second part of the verse: Christ will not cast out anyone the Father has given Him. They are His own; He knows them by name, and He loves them because He died for them. Of course, He will not pass by one of His own when He finds them wounded, bleeding, or near death. He will take them up and carry them safely home. We don’t need to be anxious about the first part of this sentence; the second part is what really concerns us. If we truly come to Christ, we are assured here that He will never cast us out. But we must come to Him. Then, we will find plenty of room 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."