The Unwavering Heart of Christ
A Message of Hope for the Anxious Sinner
The Puritan thinkers, a group of 17th-century theologians, shared a common passion for exploring the depths of Christian faith. Among them was John Bunyan, a poor and uneducated man who wrote over 50 books, including the renowned allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress. One of his lesser-known works, Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, is a treasure trove of comfort and assurance for those struggling with feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness.
A Single Verse, a Profound Message
Bunyan’s book is centered around John 6:37, where Jesus declares, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” This verse was particularly dear to Bunyan, and he returns to it frequently in his writings. In Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, he delves into the second half of the verse, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out,” to offer a message of hope and acceptance to those who feel unworthy of Christ’s love.
Overcoming Our Natural Suspicions
We often doubt Jesus’ willingness to accept us, thinking that he might welcome others but not us. Bunyan gently refutes these doubts, presenting a series of objections and responding to each with Christ’s reassuring promise: “I will in no wise cast out.” Whether we consider ourselves great sinners, old sinners, hard-hearted sinners, or backsliding sinners, Christ’s response remains the same: “I will in no wise cast out.”
The Power of Christ’s Promise
The original Greek text of John 6:37 uses a double negative to emphasize the strength of Christ’s promise: “I will not—not!—cast out.” This phrase conveys the idea that Christ will most certainly never, ever cast us out. Bunyan’s book serves as a reminder of Christ’s persevering nature, encouraging us to come to him just as we are, without pretenses or excuses.
Our Capacity for Self-Doubt
In our busy lives, it’s easy to forget who God is, what he has done for us, and who we are because of him. We tend to produce endless reasons to believe Jesus will give up on us, like a factory churning out paper by the hour. But Christ understands our struggles and invites us to come to him, promising to never cast us out.
The Only Requirement: Coming to Him
Christ’s love is not conditional upon our feelings, promises, or actions. The only requirement to enjoy his love is to come to him. As we do, we can rest in the knowledge that his grasp of us is stronger than our grasp of him. Just as a parent holds onto a child in the waves, Christ holds onto us, ensuring that we will never fall out of his loving embrace.
A Message of Certainty
If you are in Christ, you can be certain that he will never cast you out. To fall short of his loving embrace, Christ himself would have to be pulled down out of heaven and put back in the grave. This is not going to happen. Therefore, you can rest assured that Christ’s heart is always open to you, welcoming you with open arms.
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