THE PERSONAL NATURE OF CHRIST’S OFFER OF SALVATION TO ALL WHO HEAR THE GOSPEL
Wilhelmus A. Brakel – Excerpt from The Christian’s Reasonable Service, Volume 2
Thirdly, Christ offers you this complete fullness of salvation. This is a great matter transcending all adoration. The Lord does not do this to all men, and very few nations have this privilege. This is concealed from nearly the entire world. To you, however, it is revealed, and particularly to you who may live under the ministry of the gospel, may hear the Word of God preached, and may read His Word. As a sent servant of Christ and on His behalf I declare to all who read or hear this read, “Come; for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:17); “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17); “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20).
Come therefore, you, the chief of sinners, or whoever you may be, and in whatever sin you may have lived until now, and ask me, “Does Christ also call me? May I come? Would Christ also be willing to accept and save me?” I answer you in Christ’s Name, “Yes, He calls you and promises you that if you come and believe in Him, He will save you.” In order that you might be further convinced, read what we have already said concerning this in chapter 30.
You are now convinced (which indeed you ought to be) that the Lord Jesus offers you grace and salvation, and calls you. I do not say to the unconverted, ungodly, and worldly-minded that Christ is your Savior and that you will be saved. On the contrary, I declare to you that He will eternally condemn you if you proceed in this way and die in such a state. I do say, however, that He invites you in a most congenial manner, and therefore you ought to rejoice in this great privilege of yours. You ought therefore to be the more earnest to go outside of yourself, forsake your ungodly life, turn to the Lord Jesus, receive Him by faith, surrender yourself to Him, and entrust yourself to Him, in order that He may convert you, reconcile you with God, sanctify you by His Spirit, and thus save you. Then I say, then will He accept you and grant you the desire of your soul. Therefore, if your heart has been somewhat moved, neither tarry nor delay but go to Him as the prodigal son did. Act not as Lot’s wife by turning back again to the world.
Fourthly, as Christ calls all of you, He likewise promises to all that He will neither send anyone away (whoever he or she may be), nor refuse His grace, who comes to Him to that end, but that He will receive them all. Hear and believe His express testimony, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37); “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36). Search the entire Bible and take note whether He has ever refused grace to anyone or sent any away who came to Him in truth to be reconciled, sanctified, and saved. Then He will likewise also not reject you. Therefore, come!
Fifthly, He does not only call and invite you by the promise of salvation, but He also issues you a command. God, who has a right to issue you a command, says, “Hear Him” (Matt 17:5). Christ says to you, “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). In like manner the apostle speaks in His Name, “And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23). It is therefore no optional matter, but you are under obligation. When you come and believe, you are obedient; and if you do not, you are disobedient to the Son, and woe unto that man who is disobedient to the voice of Christ!
Source: Wilhemus A. Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service: In Which Divine Truths Concerning the Covenant of Grace Are Expounded, Defended against Opposing Parties, and Their Practice Advocated, as Well as the Administration of This Covenant in the Old and New Testaments, trans. Bartel Elshout (Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1993), 300–301.
Free Books by Charles H. Spurgeon
We offer free copies of Spurgeon’s Advice for Seekers and Around the Wicket Gate. Feel free to take a copy to read or to share with your friends and family. These works have proven to be especially helpful and profitable. You can find them in the shelves at the back of the church. Help yourself to a copy!
