Teague Bible Church

WHAT DO THEY SEE IN US THAT WILL “DRAW” THEM TO CHRIST?
Sunday we talked about having that supernatural peace inside us that can only be experienced by knowing Christ. John 14:27. We spoke also about the fact that a believer can be rattled by the problems of daily life, so much so that we forget how to live in that peace.
We spoke about the fact that the only thing the world may believe about our Lord is what they see in us; mainly His peace working and being revealed in us, and out through us. We spoke about the fact that the world would not want something in their life they already have; a stressful, meaningless life. What are they seeing in us? We spoke about the need for the world to be “drawn” to Christ through us.
“Now judgement is upon the world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I , if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.” John 12:31-33.
When you weld copper water pipe together it is done in a way you would not think. For instance, if I glue something together with super glue I simply “rub on” the glue to the joint to make it stick together. In soldering copper pipe you cannot just melt the solder onto the joint and make it seal. If you do so, any water pressure applied the joint will bust open at that joint, and you have a leak. The way you do it is to put the two pipes together and put all the heat on the pipes. The main thing is; the heat on the pipes, and then, when they are glowing hot, you simply touch the solder to the joint and it is “drawn” deep into every gap of the joint; deep inside ever crevice. Amazingly, it can be “drawn” into the joint in any direction! Gravity has no effect on the “drawing in” process! Watching that solder run uphill, for instance, is spell-binding to me!
In the same way, people are drawn to your Savior by your witness, because of the daily walk you have with Him, in private. Of course the Lord will use your words, but your words can never overcome your lifestyle; what you have been doing in private. Our relationship with the Lord, in private devotions, where we are warmed up in His love, “draws” the unbeliever to decide for or against Christ. Your walk— makes the decision clear— for them.
By the death and resurrection of Christ we see the purposes of God most clearly. God has made the heart of man in such a way that man cannot deny the reality and purpose of the cross. All will be “drawn” toward the cross, yet some will stubbornly reject the clear message. Some are “drawn” to the reality of the cross and receive the free gift of eternal life. I have a friend who starts many of his public prayers with this statement, ” Lord capture our hearts more fully. Your great love draws us again to You.”
The cross and resurrection of Christ is the main turning point of all reality. That is not an overstatement! There is no meaning in lesser activities, nor in our noble- sounding causes, unless the cross and resurrection are a reality! Do you understand why this is so?
“I would catch a glimpse of the cross- and suddenly my heart would stand still. In an instinctive, intuitive way I understand that something more important, more tumultuous, more passionate, was at issue than our good causes, however noble they might be….I should have worn it….It should have been my uniform, my language, my life. I shall have no excuse; I can’t say I didn’t know. I knew from the beginning, and turned away.” Malcolm Muggeridge, ‘Jesus Rediscovered.’
So you are up to bat. Christmas with friends and relatives. Going to talk them to death, or “draw” them to Christ? You may find pleasant surprises and breakthroughs if you will carve out the time to be with Jesus in private devotions, way before you get together with them. Those family members you want to see saved will feel the warmth coming from you. May the Lord “draw” folks to Himself, through us in this special season. JWP 12/12/17