Coming to Jesus

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

I see you are all silent, and well you may for if you will not be drawn by the cords of infinite and everlasting love, what will draw you?  I could urge many terrors of the Lord to persuade you, but if the love of Jesus Christ will not constrain you, your case is desperate. This day I have invited all, even the worst of sinners, to be married to the Lord Jesus.  If you perish, remember you do not perish for lack of invitation. You yourselves shall stand forth at the Last Day, and I here give you a summons to meet me at the judgment seat of Christ, and to clear both my Maker and me. Would weeping, would tears persuade you, I could wish my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep out every argument, and melt you into love. Would anything I could do or suffer, influence your hearts, I think I could bear to pluck out my eyes, or even to lay down my life for your sakes. Or were I sure to prevail on you by importunity, I could continue my discourse till midnight, and I would wrestle with you even till the morning watch… but such power belongs unto the Lord. I can only invite; only he can work in you both to will and to do after his good pleasure… it is his Spirit that must convince you of unbelief; and of the everlasting righteousness of his dear Son; it is he alone must give faith to apply his righteousness to your hearts; it is he alone can give you a wedding garment, and bring you to sit down and drink new wine in his kingdom.

George Whitefield Daily Readings, Randall J. Pederson, ed., Christian Focus Publications, 2010, from the reading for March 9.