Come Ye Sinners

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love the song, "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy," or as it is also called, "I Will Arise and Go to Jesus."  The song captures the essence of the gospel.  Humanity is revealed in its weakness, Christ is displayed as gracious Redeemer.  The images are so well blended they both haunt and comfort the listener.

Verse one states, "Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love, and power."  This song is an invitation to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.  Sinners who are "poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore," are urged to come the the waiting Savior.  The Savior who awaits is not only wanting to save, but he also has the power to save.

Verse two states, "Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome, God's free bounty glorified; True belief and true repentance, every grace that brings you nigh."  In this verse, the demands of the gospel are laid out.  Salvation is an act of God's grace.  By his grace he calls us to believe and to repent.  Then in his grace, he receives our faith and justifies us in Christ.  The thirsty are compelled to come, in faith and repentance, and find grace in abundance.

Verse three states, "Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all." Here the song speaks to the undecided.  They know that they cannot keep God's righteous commandments, but they afraid to approach.  They are wondering if it is possible the Jesus would greet them with open arms.  They feel the weight of their sin, but fear that it's too great of a burden for Jesus to lift.  After all, they reason, why would he want to save someone like me.  Their minds waffle back and forth, usually settling on a compromise--they will reform their lives, then they will seek God's forgiveness.  Here we are warned, "If you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all."

The final verse states, "Let not conscience make you linger, nor a fitness fondly dream; all the fitness he requires, is to feel your need of Him."  The human conscience is warped.  Sin has damaged it, and without continual reformatting through Bible study it can lead us astray.  There is no righteousness in us.  No good thing dwells in our flesh. No is good, no not one. None seeks after God. (See Romans 3).  God requires a perfection that we do not and cannot possess.  We need a righteousness greater than the Pharisees (moralists), but the only way that can happen is to trust God to make us righteous through Jesus Christ.

The refrain offers the right response to the message of the gospel.  It says, "I will arise, and go to Jesus, he will embrace me in his arms; in the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms."  The Lord is calling humanity to return to him, to trust him.  Jesus stands ready to receive all who come to him in faith.  Have you heard that call?  Are you poor and needy?  Thirsty? Weary and heavy laden? Lost and ruined by the fall?  Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love, and power.  If you tarry till your better, you will never come at all.  Why not turn to Jesus in faith and repentance?