Inviteth All

April 17th 2016

Often we get set into this mindset that in order for us to have communications with God we need to be these idealistic, devote, church-going saints. We develop this misconception that God will only speak to those who are perceived as “righteous authority”. We inherit this unbelief that God will not speak to us as much as He speaks to “leaders” of church organizations because of sins, mistakes, weaknesses, disabilities, lack of church membership status, and social rank. We bar ourselves from entering into God’s rest when we compare ourselves to man’s measuring stick and not Christ’s standard. However, God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) What Christ requires is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (3rd Nephi 9:19-20) He will talk to anyone.

In the book of John chapter 4 we read that on the way to Galilee while passing by Samaria Jesus approached a woman at a well. The disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat, so Jesus and the woman were alone. (John 4:7-8) Jesus and the woman began to have a conversation. (John 4:9) It was a big cultural “no-no” for a woman to talk to a man alone like this during this time in Jewish culture. Christ went against tradition by doing this, and the woman was willing to engage Jesus in conversation. This shows she is not your typical goody-good church-going girl. This woman was also a Samaritan. Samaritans were regarded by the Jews as being dirty and impure. Samaritans were to Jews what “half bloods” and “muggles” are to the Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, yet Christ still took time to speak with her. Later in the conversation the dialog goes as follows:

“Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”
(John 4:16–18)

Not only is this woman a “filthy” Samaritan, this woman has previously been with 5 different men, and the man she is currently with is out of wedlock. In this cultural setting this woman would be branded as a dirty slut and be ranked among the lowest of the lows in society, yet Christ is still conversing with her. He loves her and is teaching her! He sees her for who she truly is! Despite her lack of apparent measurable righteous, this woman is seeking and waiting for the Messias, Jesus Christ.

“The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”
(John 4:25–26)

The Lord also spoke to Cain after Cain slew his brother Abel. (Moses 5:33-35) If God will talk to a whore, or a murder, what makes you believe He won’t talk to you?

Christ didn’t come for the self-righteous who would reject Him through their own pride, false traditions, and vain religion. ( Luke 18:10-14 ALMA 31:12-29) Christ came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician but they that are sick. ( Moroni 8:8, Luke 5:31-32) Jesus Christ came for those who would humbly accept Him. (ALMA 32:1-20)

God is no respecter of persons, therefore He invites ALL to come unto Him.

“He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance. Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.”
(2 Nephi 26:24–28)

Whoever you are, whatever you have done, whatever your circumstance may be in life, whatever your family situation may be; Christ invites you to come unto Him! You can have that relationship with our Savior. He forbids no one! If a man tells you that you cannot come unto Christ, that you cannot have a relationship with Jesus, that the Lord won't speak to you, that man is a false teacher and has not a relationship with the Lord himself. (JST Luke 11:52)

“For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile”
(2 Nephi 26:33)