Will You Come

In Chapter 15 of Pilgrims Progress, Hopeful although He has given himself to God, He struggled with assurance. He felt unsaved, but through the words of Faithful He was uplifted from this low state of mind.

Faithful told him that if he believes that Jesus died to take away his sins, the record of Jesus holiness will be transferred to Him.  (Romans 4:21-25)

Faithful gave Hopeful a Bible, and said, “every word in the Book, down to the minutest details, stands firmer than Heaven and earth.” (Matthew 24:35)

Hopeful asked what he must do when he goes to God?

Faithful replied, you must fall on your knees and ask the Father, with all my heart and soul, to reveal His Son to you.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

Hopeful Asked Further:

“How should I come to Him?”

Faithful Replied:

Go, and you will find Him sitting on a mercy seat; He sits there all year long to give pardon and forgiveness to those who come to Him.

Hopeful Said:

“I do not know what to say when I approached Him”

Faithful Told Him To Say This Prayer:

"God have mercy on me, a sinner and help me to know and believe in Jesus Christ. For I see that if Christ had not been righteous, and if I don't have faith in that righteousness, then I am utterly without hope and have been cast away.

Lord, I have heard that You are a merciful God and have ordained that Your Son. Jesus Christ should be the Saviour of the world, Moreover, I have heard that You are willing to bestow Him upon such a miserable sinner as I am.

Yes, I am a sinner indeed. Lord, take this opportunity and glorify your grace by saving my soul through Your Son. Jesus Christ. Amen.”

The Story Did Not End There

Christian Asked:

“And did you do as you were told?”

Hopeful Replied:

"Yes, over and over and over again."

Christian Asked:

"And did the Father reveal His Son to you?"

Hopeful Replied:

"No, not the first time, nor the second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth time either."

Christian Asked:

"Well, what did you do then?"

Hopeful Replied:

"What did I do? Why, I didn't know what to do."

Christian Asked:

"Did you have any thoughts of giving up praying?"

Hopeful Replied:

"Yes, at least a hundred times over."

Christian Asked:

"Why didn't you?"

Hopeful Replied:

"I reasoned with myself, 'If I give up, I will die, and I dare not die except at the throne of grace.”

“I continued to pray until the Father showed me his Son.

I thought I saw the Lord Jesus, looking down from Heaven at me and saying, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.'

"I replied, 'But, Lord, I am a very great sinner.' He answered, "My grace is sufficient for you.'

From that encounter Hopeful concluded that believing in Christ and coming to Him were one and the same.

• To believe and come means trusting Christ even when your feelings tell you He will not receive you.

  
  

• To believe and come means resting on His promises rather than your own performance.

  
  

• To believe and come means continuing to seek Him even when you do not immediately see an answer.

  
  

• To believe and come means accepting all advice and rebuke that you thought was against you.

  
  

• To believe and come means also following Jesus even when you do not know who will call you friend, or how you will fit into society.

The question lies with You.

Will You Come To Him?