The Cross Draws Men to God

Pacific Press Publishing Association

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 16.

The Cross Draws Men to God.

CHRIST is before us as the perfect Man. The accusations of His enemies have left no impression on the world. He stands alone. Men admire, they praise, but they live on in sin.

Christ is before us as the great Teacher. Never man spake as this Man. No false lesson of right was ever taught. No revelation of God not sustained by the world's conscience was ever made. No unworthy motive was ever offered to stimulate men to do His will. No word of His wisdom has been set aside by the world's philosophy. No addition has been made to His ethical code. And yet men live on in sin, far away from the life of Jesus.

But Jesus on the cross draws men to Him. His word, `

God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,'' speaks to the heart. His miracles amaze us, but

Thy sins be forgiven thee,'' speaks to the secret chambers of the soul. The people said, Never man spake like this Man,'' but the centurion said,

Truly this was the Son of God.'' It is not Jesus the Man, not Jesus the Great Teacher, but Jesus the Saviour of men, that draws men to God.

The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.'' It is this, Jesus bearing our sins, the Son of God making atonement for our guilt, that meets the need of the soul and draws men to Him. The atonement must ever be the central thought in the message of the church to men.

`God be merciful to us,'' is the cry of the world. It bursts from the lips of those notoriously guilty; it is uttered by the refined, for as we come near to God, we are overcome with a sense of sin. It is answered by Jesus on the cross—Jesus lifted up that all may see the love of God, Jesus bearing our sins in His own soul, dying for us. This, and this alone, draws men to Christ and God.—United Presbyterian.