I have a four old grandson who loves trucks and trains. In fact he would love to drive them. However, just because he would like to hop in an 18-wheeler, doesn’t mean he is able. Several other things must take place, chief among them being that he must be capable of driving an 18-wheeler.

“Whosoever is athirst may drink, whosoever is hungry may eat, whosoever is in need may ask, and he will receive; whosoever desires salvation may seek, and he shall find; whosoever is weary and burdened may come to Jesus for rest: whosoever will may come. … The same Bible that repeatedly emphasizes in many ways that “whosoever will may come,” also teaches very emphatically that the salvation of the sinner never and in no sense depends on the will of the sinner to come, but only on the sovereign will of God who is the Lord. … O, indeed, “whosoever will may come;” but this is also true: “no man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” And again: “Therefore I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given him of my Father.” John 6:44, 65 –

When a man sings or preaches, “Whosoever will may come,” he presents what is undoubtedly true. And to this we have no objection. Indeed, it is true that whoever will may come to Christ, and will surely be received. Never a man will appear in the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God who will be able to say that he longed, and desired, and willed, and sought earnestly to come, but was refused. But if a man preaches no more than this, he, nevertheless, fails to present the full truth of the gospel as it is in Christ Jesus and revealed to us in Holy writ. He speaks a half truth which, because of its deceptive nature, is more dangerous than a direct and plain falsehood. A large part, the more basic and, therefore, more important part of the truth he forgets or intentionally omits. He is unfaithful to his ministry unless he adds: no one can come unless the Father draw him”; it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

– Herman Hoeksema, from “Whosoever Will”, Copyright 1945 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company