The Thirtieth of January

COME UNTO ME --- Matthew 11:28.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." --- Matthew 11:28.

This is a free invitation to every weary and heavy-laden sinner, made by Him who alone is able to take away the load and guilt of sin.

Every person under the pressure of sin, not only may, but must, come to Jesus, thus laden with guilt, if he hopes to succeed for pardon. While we endeavour to prepare our way by holy qualifications, we rather fill it with stumbling blocks, whereby our souls are hindered from attaining to salvation of Christ.

Christ would have us believe on him who justifies the ungodly, and therefore he doth not require us to be godly before we believe; he came as a physician for the sick, and doth not expect they should recover their health in the least degree before they come to him.

The vilest sinners are fitly prepared and qualified for this design, which is to show forth the exceeding riches of his grace, pardoning our sins, and saving us freely, Ephesians 2:5, 8.

It is no affront to Christ, or slighting or contemning the justice and holiness of God, to come to God, while we are polluted sinners; but rather it is an affront and contemning the saving grace, merit, and fulness of Jesus, if we endeavour to make ourselves righteous and holy before we receive Christ himself, and all holiness and righteousness in him by faith.

Come, sinners, laden deep with woe,
And unto Christ for healing go;
He cures all sickness, and all sore,
And turns no beggar from his door.