IN a small Sunday school room, in a crowded area of one of our big cities, a few earnest Christian workers gathered together a number of poor and needy boys and girls. Every Sunday afternoon they served them sandwiches, cake and drinks, and then the children listened to a gospel message. In this way many heard the gospel who would not have heard it otherwise.
There was one poor boy, named Will, who heard the children singing, and stood listening at the door. The last line of the chorus, after every verse, was “Whosoever will may come.” This arrested Will’s attention. He was sure the “Will” applied to him, but what the “Whosoever” meant, he didn’t know. Then a kindly looking man came down the sidewalk as Will stood listening, and summoning courage, Will asked, “Please, sir, could you tell me what ‘whosoever’ means?”
The man smiled, and replied, “Yes, my boy, ‘whosoever’ means anybody; you, if you like.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Will, returning to the Mission room door as fast as he could. The door stood half open, and taking off his hat, Will walked right in and received a warm welcome.
Will got in on the eats, and listened to a short gospel address. He heard how that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Will went back to that humble room for many times. There it was he learned that God loved him, Christ died for him. Will believed, and was saved. He is now a happy follower of the Saviour, an earnest soul-winner, and they call him “Whosoever Will.”
Have you learned that “whosoever will” means anybody—you, if you like? Have you taken your place and claimed God’s gift, as Will claimed the invitation to “whosoever will,” at the Sunday school that day? God says still to you, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17). But this sweet invitation will not go out forever. A day will come when God’s door will be closed, and all who have refused to accept His invitation will be shut out for eternity. Then another “whosoever” will sadly be made known: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15).
Oh, blessed gospel sound,
Yet there is room!
It tells to all around,
Yet there is room.
The guilty may draw near,
Though vile you need not fear,
With joy you now may hear,
Yet there is room!
ML-12/20/1964