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"I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12862
03/27/05 04:23 AM
03/27/05 04:23 AM
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OP
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Southwest USA
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quote:
Jesus has said, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32. Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul. {SC 26.4}
It is true that men sometimes become ashamed of their sinful ways, and give up some of their evil habits, before they are conscious that they are being drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, "What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?" {SC 27.1}
The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God's dear Son. {SC 27.2}
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12863
03/27/05 04:28 AM
03/27/05 04:28 AM
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OP
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What does it mean to be drawn to Christ? Some people seem to think that it means we are saved and born again. Is that true? Just because we are attracted to Jesus does it mean we are born again? Just because we are motivated to give up bad habits does it mean we are saved? Can we be drawn to Christ and lose our soul?
SC 47, 48
Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians. {SC 47.2}
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12864
03/27/05 01:35 AM
03/27/05 01:35 AM
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Active Member 2012
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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In the original, the word "man" does not appear. What Christ actually said was that if He was lifted up, He would draw all unto Him. By the blood of His cross, Christ reconciled all things, whether things in heaven or things in earth. The cross of Christ reveals the character of God, and the revelation reconciles, if one does not resist it.
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12865
03/27/05 06:07 PM
03/27/05 06:07 PM
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OP
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Okay, but what about the idea that Jesus draws all unto Himself? What does it mean? How does drawing all unto Himself differ from being saved or born again? I ask this question because of the fact so many people, who respond to the drawing influence of Christ's death on the cross, make all kinds of noteworthy outward changes in their conduct. What do these initial changes indicate?
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12866
03/28/05 01:02 AM
03/28/05 01:02 AM
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Active Member 2012
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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The drawing is not just for man, but for the whole universe. The purpose is given by Paul in Colossians: quote:
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. (Col. 1:19-21)
Here's a related statement from the Spirit of Prophesy:
quote:
The only way in which he could set and keep men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. That men might have salvation he came directly to man, and became a partaker of his nature.
Christ exalted the character of God, attributing to him the praise, and giving to him the credit, of the whole purpose of his own mission on earth,--to set men right through the revelation of God. (RH 1/20/90)
What draws, whether angels, men, or other beings, is the revelation of God's character in Jesus Christ. When the revelation is believed, reconciliation occurs. When the revelation is not believed, then the sin-damaged mind remains unhealed, and death will be the ultimate result.
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12867
03/28/05 02:35 AM
03/28/05 02:35 AM
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Dedicated Member
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,196
Ontario
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quote:
What draws, whether angels, men, or other beings, is the revelation of God's character in Jesus Christ. When the revelation is believed, reconciliation occurs. When the revelation is not believed, then the sin-damaged mind remains unhealed, and death will be the ultimate result.
Even so, just as in the first they turned away from God by believing a lie about God, so likewise now one turns back to God by believing/realizing the truth of God.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12868
03/28/05 05:16 AM
03/28/05 05:16 AM
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OP
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Seems to me that the drawing influence of Christ's death on unbelievers is only the beginning. It's not until they repent and accept Him as their personal Saviour do they experience salvation.
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Re: "I will draw all men to Me" - What does it mean?
#12869
03/30/05 09:42 PM
03/30/05 09:42 PM
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Active Member 2012
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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The drawing influence of Christ is not just for unbelievers, but for "all". Of course an unbeliever has to believe before becoming a believer.
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Here is the link to this week's Sabbath School Lesson Study and Discussion Material: Click Here
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