Bible Basics

"Come Unto Me"

Paul says we are “justified by faith” and that “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 2). This passage identifies both God’s part (means) and man’s part (condition) in salvation. The means of salvation is by God’s grace. Since sin is universal in scope (Rom. 3:23), so is God’s grace as Christ died to “taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). The condition of salvation is man’s faith, a free and willing response to God’s invitation to be saved by His sacrificial death. God presents the “good news” (gospel) of salvation in Christ to all men (Mark 16:15, 16), and all able to understand are called to salvation (Matt. 11:28-30), but not all are saved because some choose not to come to the Lord. What we do in response to the Lord’s invitation determines our eternal destiny. This is not earned or merited righteousness. It is unworthy sinners saved by the grace of God, through a faith that offers access to that grace. When Jesus extents the invitation “Come unto Me” He invokes a command that necessitates a response of obedience. Nothing is earned by coming to the Lord, but a condition is met. This obedient response neither nullifies God’s grace or man’s faith, but completes a faith that enables access to God’s saving grace.

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

Bible Basics