By Johnie Edwards
A magnet has drawing power. The Bible mentions some things which have drawing power like a magnet. Divine magnets do not draw against the will of man but as man’s will becomes submissive to God’s will the work is accomplished.
God Draws Men
Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6:44). God draws men. We need to know how it is that God draws men to Him. Please observe: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me” (Jn. 6:45). Men are drawn to God as they are aught. Men hear, learn and then come to God. This process involves not only God’s will but man’s as well. The fact that man cannot resist God’s grace, just isn’t so!
Jesus Draws By The Cross
Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (Jn. 3:14). Jesus was lifted up from the earth as He died on the cross. Again Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (Jn. 12:32). The death of Jesus on the cross is like a magnet to draw men in becoming Christians. For it is “by the cross” that men are reconciled “unto God in one body. . . ” (Eph. 2:16). No wonder Paul told the Corinthians, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:17).
The Gospel of Christ Has Drawing Power
Paul told the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). The gospel which contains God’s righteousness has saving power. This is the reason that Paul told the Thessalonians, “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14). No wonder Jesus said to the apostles, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:15-16).
Guardian of Truth XXX: 19, p. 591
October 2, 1986