“What If Thy Father Answer Thee Roughly?”

I Samuel 20:10

            David had good reason for raising this question with regard to Jonathan’s father, Saul. However, there are many who seem to raise this question with their own souls. Being deceived by satan, they argue against themselves and offer this as a fearful excuse for their unbelief - “What if thy father answer thee roughly? What if you trust Christ and still find that God will not receive you?” Sinners have a very great ability to invent reasons for not believing God. You may imagine that such reasoning shows humility; but it does not. It reveals terrible pride and presumption. How dares a man call into question the character and Word of God?

            This is what God promises - “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (I John 5:1). Yet, you search for arguments to convince yourself that the promise does not apply to you. I dare say that if I named you as a beneficiary in my will and left you a large estate upon my death, as soon as I died you would be making plans to move into your new house. Yet, when they holy Lord God, who cannot lie, promises that any sinner who believes on Christ shall never perish, but has everlasting life, you question whether it is so. By your unbelief, you challenge the veracity of God!

            Perhaps you think, “I may not be one of those chosen ones for whom the promise was intended.” Do not let the old serpent trip you up with that speculation. No one has ever come to Christ who was not supposed to have come. No one has ever believed who was not supposed to believe. No sinner has ever come to Christ the wrong way! The Son of God declares, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Do not fear that you may not be among the elect. If you come to the Savior, it is because you were chosen of God, and have been drawn to the Savior by his Holy Spirit’s irresistible power.

            You may think, “What if I trust Christ and yet perish? What if I come to him and he refuses me?” Impossible as that is, the fact is, you would be no worse for the effort. You are lost already. Are you not? You are condemned already. You are already under the wrath of God and sinking fast into hell. What do you have to lose? Were I in your position, I know what I would do. I would cast myself upon him. I would resolve if I must go to hell, I will go to hell clinging to Christ.

“I can but perish if I go; I am resolved to try;

For if I stay away I know I must forever die.

But if I die with mercy sought, when I the King have tried,

This were to die (Delightful thought!) As sinner never died!”

No sinner has ever gone to hell trusting Christ, and none shall! How many ways can it be said? Look to Christ, and live! Come to Christ, and be saved! Believe on Christ, and have everlasting life! God the Father will not answer you roughly if you come to him believing on his dear Son.

Don Fortner