And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
To be lifted up from the earth is to die on the cross as the sacrifice and propitiation for the sins of the world. To draw all men is to draw people from every nation, Jews and Gentiles alike, breaking down the wall of partition, and reaching even to angels and unfallen worlds. That lifting is the crisis and judgment of this world, when the prince of this world is cast out, his deceptions unveiled and his accusing power broken, while the justice and mercy of God and the perpetuity of His law are vindicated before the universe. The drawing is universal and gracious yet without force, for Christ by the Spirit takes the first step to soften and convict, but each person must respond in repentance toward God and faith toward Christ to receive pardon, a new heart and eternal life. Those so drawn are then to lift Him up themselves, exalting the crucified Redeemer in preaching, reflecting Him in life, and ministering to the suffering, and this lifting becomes the great center that draws others to Him.
Meaning of Lifted Up
To be lifted up from the earth is to die on the cross as the propitiation and sacrifice for the sins of the world, and by that death to draw people to himself and open the way of life and salvation to Jews and Gentiles of every nation, tongue and people. The lifting up is the crisis of the world, signifying the death He would die as the propitiation for the world, lighting up the world, confronting the world with a choice of allegiance, and opening the way for people to leave Satan's service and follow Christ. Through it He restores the defaced image of God in man, reproduces that image, and gathers a family of believing saints who receive Him and are given power to become the sons of God to finally inhabit the heavenly home. Seeing His love in His death as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world softens the heart, moves the mind, inspires contrition, and leads sinners to repentance.
That lifting was a public, shameful crucifixion between heaven and earth and between humanity and God, in lowest humiliation with matchless love and self-denial exhibited for a fallen world. On the cross at Calvary He suffered in the flesh with gushing blood and bruised and broken body, bearing the guilt of the whole world and giving His life in the crowning act for the sins of the world, with depths of humiliation no line can fathom. By coming nearer in the fulness of the Godhead bodily and taking humanity as one of us He exalted humanity, turned His whole divine self into a sacrifice to save a perishing world, and demonstrated how deep and abundant divine love is. The death was followed by burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father, where He serves as Advocate, and Roman rule made this public crucifixion possible so the prophecy would be fulfilled in the foretold manner.
As Moses lifted the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so Christ was lifted to be looked to in living faith for healing, salvation, spiritual health, spiritual power, eternal life and a home in the kingdom of God. As repentant Israelites dying from fiery serpents who looked lived and were perfectly healed and spared from death, so those bitten by the devil who look to the uplifted Saviour live, and people in the coming time of trouble may look to Him and live. The cross was raised publicly before all nations, tongues and peoples, calling them to look to the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sins. This beholding must be continual, with the mind kept on Him and the life conformed to His image, because there is no safety in allowing the mind to be drawn from Him, and since He has given His life to redeem it now rests with each person to believe and by living faith accept His sacrifice.
The words were spoken just before betrayal and death, in the last teaching in the temple, looking forward to the approaching sacrifice and the hour of lifting and to the result of the great sacrifice. Greeks seeking Jesus at that time were a pledge of the coming worldwide harvest, of breaking down the separation between Jew and Gentile and gathering a great harvest to God. The cruel, ignominious cross with all its horrors blazes with glory, for only by that death could redemption be accomplished, as the grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die before the harvest can be reaped. The saying points first to the hour when Christ was lifted up on the cross, and also applies to the present work of lifting Him up before the world as God's people carry the truth forward in His love and strength to advance and conquer through faith.
All Drawn to Christ
To be drawn means to be drawn from every nation, tongue and people, both Jews and Gentiles, for the lifting up breaks down the wall of partition reared to keep others from privilege and opens the way of life and salvation to all. The Greeks seeking Jesus were a pledge of that worldwide harvest to be gathered to God through the sacrificial service, and the appeal of Calvary reaches even those long in the darkness of heathenism when the gospel is preached to all nations. All are given evidence and conviction, and those who accept and obey are claimed as God's own.
The drawing reaches beyond earth to heaven itself, to holy angels and the inhabitants of unfallen worlds, to the whole family in heaven and earth. Angels and the redeemed are drawn through the infinite sacrifice, rejoicing in the judgment against Satan and bringing honor and glory to the Redeemer. In Him is found all restorative power to give everlasting life and heal every physical and spiritual disease.
The invitation is universal and gracious to the whole human family, and all are invited to believe and may come. Like a shepherd calling scattered sheep, He calls people everywhere to hear His voice and follow Him, letting down the cord of love from heaven. The call is not limited to the poor but is to be presented to every class, to the highest as well as to ordinary workers, regardless of position, education, nationality or training. His message of mercy is for the whole world, bringing the work of redemption into vital contact with human hearts through the Spirit, for He is the divine Author, the Truth, the Word and the Life. Knowing God and Jesus Christ is life and salvation to all who respond, and His death paid the ransom so that those who respond in faith surrender themselves and receive time to form characters for immortal life, finding in Him life, light and truth for daily happiness and bearing burdens, with life through the atoning sacrifice, full pardon, and exaltation with God.
All are given every opportunity and privilege, yet not all are actually drawn, because drawing requires choosing to die to self, responding in faith and coming. His crucifixion confronts the world with a choice of allegiance, opening the way to leave Satan's service and follow Christ, lighting up the world and gathering a family of believing saints to finally inhabit the heavenly home with power to become sons of God. Many, like Judas, wish to retain their own individuality and their natural and cultivated traits of character, refusing to give up and cut away tendencies that separate them from Christ. If admitted to heaven while cherishing those traits they would cause a second rebellion, so God has given a probation to see if through Christ they will obtain the power that constitutes them sons of God, while those who remain under Satan's influence reject the drawing. Those who respond are convicted by the truth, repent, become God's children and surrender to His will, finding in Him hope, rest and peace, and their response can divide a household because others reject the drawing.
He draws without force or compulsion, never forcing anyone into position, for conviction comes by presenting the truth as it is in Jesus to the mind and appealing to the heart. His only compulsion is the constraint of love, working through truth and love by His Spirit and heavenly agencies to turn those ruled by human ambition and passions into workers for Him and bring them out from under Satan's rule. He draws by persuasive example and patience, forbearance and long-suffering, not by rudeness, domination, restriction or secular power, and when the church seeks secular power to enforce belief it shows lack of His power of divine love.
Judgment and Cosmic Vindication
The lifting up is the crisis of this world and its judgment, when the prince of this world is cast out, his reign ended, his rule defeated and his dominion challenged. The cross is set in the very place where Satan has his seat and rules the earth, with Christ standing at the head of humanity as the great center, and by paying the ransom with His death He ends the reign of the enemy while the legions of hell with the prince of darkness oppose the laws of His kingdom. Though humanity is under the power of evil, His work draws people toward the hope and power found in Him, and as He faced the cross He saw that His death would cast out the ruler of this world and win people to God.
That death removes Satan's claim over human souls and reasserts God's ownership, breaking his hold on human hearts and working to win back people deceived by him and draw them to God. It effectually unveils Satan's deceptions and refutes his claims and accusations against God, making the love of God known to the universe. His accusing power over the universe is broken forever, including his charge that self-denial was impossible, and the outcome of the conflict between Christ and the powers of darkness is revealed to the watching universe.
The cross vindicates the character of the Father and the Son and justifies God and His Son before all heaven and the universe in their dealing with Satan's rebellion and their judgment against him and his expulsion. It fully vindicates and justifies God's justice and mercy, showing that God can be just and yet the justifier of him that believes in Jesus, while maintaining the dignity of the divine law. It establishes the perpetuity of the law of God, reveals the nature and the results of sin, and by opening the way of life makes heaven accessible to men.
The drawing reaches beyond those saved by Christ's blood to the holy angels and unfallen created beings and intelligences of other worlds, the whole family in heaven and earth, who are drawn to Christ through this act. Angels and the redeemed are drawn, and men and angels bring honor and glory to the Redeemer, rejoicing in the judgment against Satan. Even angels are secured only through the sufferings of the Son, and unfallen worlds are guarded against apostasy, so that rebellion will never again arise to all eternity.
Cross as Saving Center
Lifted between heaven and earth, the cross is the great center of attraction and influence that calls across the gulf made by sin and unites humanity with God. Set in the very place where Satan has his seat and rules the earth, it stands at the head of humanity to draw all to God, challenging and ending the enemy's dominion without violating human nature and vindicating the justice of God. By the ransom paid in death atonement is offered, the bond of love and dependence is restored, fallen people are placed on vantage ground with the divine image restored, and mercy and truth are brought together with righteousness and peace. Christ is the true center and source of all spiritual life, joining divine power with human cooperation so that people can resist evil and bring in righteousness, and those drawn to Him are hidden with Him in God, given His Spirit, and united in harmony with Christ as their life and center. He took human nature and lived on earth to understand temptation and give power to overcome, calling all who make Him guide and teacher to surrender supposed wisdom, come to the cross and be under His control, with the church subordinate to this one central power and every receiver and believer then used to win the world back to God.
At the cross justice and mercy meet, for Christ bore the penalty for injustice and sin and satisfied the claims of the broken law with His blood and broken body, so that justice can forgive without surrendering holiness and mercy has power to oppose sin and draw sinners to Christ. Drawn to Him, sinners are drawn to repentance toward God for transgression of His law, seeing His love, looking to Him in faith, recognizing their need of His righteousness, and laying hold by living faith of the merits of His death and resurrection. God's law exposes and condemns sin and reveals its spirituality and eternal obligation, but it has no pardoning or cleansing power and cannot save the transgressor. Acceptance therefore rests on Christ's accepted sacrifice and righteousness received by faith, not on works, merit, or human effort, with the sinner coming to the atoning Sacrifice as substitute as the only hope, cleansed, purified, given a new heart, made a new creature, strengthened to resist sin, and united with divine power.
The crucifixion lights up the world and reproduces and restores the defaced image of God in man, giving all who receive Him power to become sons of God. His sacrifice was offered to restore humanity to original perfection and transform character, gathering a family of believing saints to finally inhabit the heavenly home and placing them on Christ's side, bought with a price above every earthly estimate. Belief in the uplifted Saviour brings new birth, ends living to self, makes one ready even to sacrifice life itself, and makes those who overcome through His strength more than conquerors. By this transforming power the gospel wins converts and makes a distinct commandment-keeping people, pledged to love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and neighbor as self, yielding to no other claimant and fitted as agents to cooperate with Him.
The cross is the great central truth of salvation and redemption, the great monument of mercy and regeneration, around which every other truth clusters. Every truth from Genesis to Revelation must be studied in the light streaming from Calvary and in connection with the atonement, and the uplifted Saviour and His wonderful sacrifice are to be the theme of every discourse, the central message, warning, invitation, encouragement and spiritual nourishment. When He is lifted up as never before with attention riveted upon the world's Redeemer, a glory attends the truth still little known, He implants the Holy Spirit in every heart that opens to Him and dwells as a living abiding power in every element of influence, engaging every holy agency in the universe while believers combine under His banner against confederated evil influences. Beholding Him thus lifted up higher and still higher changes beholders into the same image, and those who study grow in grace and knowledge, receive power to become sons of God unto perfection of character, and draw with Him as His love flows through their words.
Repentance Faith and Renewal
Christ takes the first step toward sinners, and no one repents unaided or takes one step toward Him unless drawn by the love shining from the cross touching the heart. The drawing is the goodness of God shown in the death of the Saviour for the sins of the world, which softens the heart, moves the mind, quickens the conscience and inspires contrition even in those unaware of its working. Lifted up between heaven and earth, He draws all by that love, revealing that the plan of salvation has been carried out and accepted by the Father so that sinners who look to Him in living faith are saved. If not resisted, this drawing leads to the foot of the cross in repentance, and those drawn respond with gratitude and personal effort to lead others to value the gift.
Beholding the crucified Saviour reveals human sinfulness, the depth of divine compassion and the hatefulness of sin. In seeing Him crucified, a person recognizes that sin caused the Lord of glory to suffer and bear the guilt of the whole world as the only hope for those trapped in sin. This sight brings awareness of personal ingratitude, rebellion and separation from God, awakening heartfelt sorrow and a sense of sin's sinfulness which is heaven's means of saving. As lifted up before people, His self-sacrifice, goodness, compassion, humility and suffering move hearts and win them to His cause.
Yielding to the drawing brings conviction, contrition, repentance toward God for transgressing His law and faith toward Christ as substitute, surety, Advocate and Lamb. Repentance is God's gift that must precede forgiveness, yet faith in Christ as Mediator precedes repentance, and the same grace that brings forgiveness also brings contrition shown by a radical change of mind and heart bringing the heart into subjection to Christ. Such repentance can never originate with man but proceeds only from Christ, just as pardon does, and rests on His accepted sacrifice and righteousness, not on works, for the law exposes and condemns sin but cannot save the transgressor. Sinners need not wait for deep feeling but must come as they are, submit the will to God, surrender to Him, turn from iniquity and look to Him in faith to receive mercy.
Those who consent receive full pardon, imputed righteousness, cleansing, a new heart, peace, assurance and the knowledge of God which is eternal life. His death paid the ransom for their souls and made everlasting life possible, bringing life and immortality within reach, with power to overcome and time to form characters for immortal life. All who come to Him can be saved completely, and those who keep trusting Him will not perish or be lost but, persevering as climbers on the ladder from earth to heaven aided by God above it, will enter His everlasting kingdom. Rejecting the drawing cuts off the means of life, while yielding leads toward a fuller knowledge of Him.
Those drawn are hidden with Christ in God, with their lives showing that God loves them as He loves His Son, and truth's divine power unites them in harmony with Christ as their life and center. As they behold the Redeemer, faith, adoration and love awaken and they grow into the likeness of the One they adore, bound up with His life by constantly receiving from Him as living bread and fresh fountain in freshness, simplicity, humility, meekness and lowliness of heart. Through faith in His sacrifice, those once governed by ambition and passion accept discipleship, surrender ambitions, turn from evil passions, redirect abilities once used against good toward building up what they harmed, and are made sons of God by new birth. They give Him whole hearts and affections, hold up His righteousness rather than their own, live self-denying overcoming lives far above worldliness as a distinct commandment-keeping people pledged to love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and neighbor as self, consecrating time, money, talents and influence to cooperate with Him and reflect His light in obedience.
Lifting Him Up Today
Those who are drawn are then to draw with Christ, cooperating with Him as His agents and instruments through the Spirit in winning the world back to God. Every converted person is given this work with power to win souls, not ministers alone, and the church is to exert an influence that points people to Him rather than concentrating the work in one place. Human workers have no drawing power of their own, for hearts are attracted by the light of the cross alone, and effectiveness comes only as Christ dwells within and His Spirit of truth sanctifies through the Word. Those who fix their eyes on Jesus and live for God's glory can cooperate with heavenly beings in saving souls, while God uses human messengers in the ministry of His Word though not all will come.
Lifting Him up in preaching means exalting the Man of Calvary and Him crucified as the sin-pardoning Redeemer and only hope, higher and still higher, as the sum and substance of every discourse. He must be lifted up, not self or ministers or earthly rulers, for men are saved only by His atoning sacrifice, and believers are to sit at His feet and learn of Him rather than striving to make themselves shine. This is done by knowing what is truth and proclaiming it with a positive, certain, affirmative voice, never uttering doubt, and by keeping sacred truths uplifted with Christ at the center. It is to be done in simplicity and Holy Spirit power, without controversy, display, human imagination or praise of men, making His claims clear and urging decision so sinners are converted and know what they must do to be saved. When His love abides in the worker he shines unconsciously, spreading the light of His glory, and as a laborer together with God his ministry draws souls to Christ.
Lifting Him up in life means reflecting His tenderness, courtesy, love, humility, purity and godliness in words, conversation and deeds, letting the bright rays of truth shine clearly and steadily so people can follow His words. Whoever draws near beholds the Saviour and catches divine rays from the Sun of Righteousness, so that he cannot help shining in words and works of righteousness with grace dwelling richly within in complete obedience. When His character is exalted before others in daily life souls are drawn, and when He is not lifted up souls are not drawn. This is done by bringing good things from the treasure of the heart to cheer and bless others, sustained by His grace, by hiding self in Christ, overcoming by the Lamb and keeping His commandments as example, which convicts sinners and unites believers. Indulging in slang, foolish talk and idle jesting brings darkness upon self and others, weakens influence and keeps souls from being drawn. Presenting the truth as it is in Jesus in all its solemnity yet with simplicity, tenderness, kindness, gentle loving words with no harsh word and no selfish act, and true modesty and Christian courtesy, fulfills the drawing power and wins souls.
Lifting Him up in service means relieving suffering humanity, gathering in outcasts to uplift and reform them so they see God as Restorer, and ministering to the sick, despairing, afflicted and backsliding. The greatest missionary work is ministerial work combined with medical missionary work, through which truth goes forth to the world, presenting the atonement with tenderness to give hope, faith, rest and new life. His gifts enable people to point sinners to Him, so every ability must be used wisely for salvation and not for selfish ambition or control over conscience, presenting truth clearly without force or human barriers. This drawing work is approved by God and should be appreciated and joined rather than criticized, with the Holy Spirit enabling understanding of God's use of human agents in it, even amid opposition and at cost to ease, reputation or property.
This lifting reaches every class, high and low, poor and rich, ordinary workers and those in positions of influence, youth and the hopelessly depraved, for the call is not limited to the poor. Christ took the first step toward humanity, touching the heart by the love expressed in offering His soul for sin, and those drawn respond with gratitude and personal effort to lead others to value God's gift and believe unto everlasting life. Seeing that infinite sacrifice lays duty on every enlightened soul to deny self, lift the cross and by personal effort lead others to believe, advancing the triumph of the cross through costly faithfulness rather than ease. This calls for the work to spread into many centers, with offerings and self-sacrifice, resisting selfishness and upholding the gospel even at personal cost. Selfish living, idols in the heart, worldliness and criticism become stumbling blocks that keep sinners from coming to Christ.
To be lifted up from the earth is to die on the cross as the sacrifice and propitiation for the sins of the world. To draw all men is to draw people from every nation, Jews and Gentiles alike, breaking down the wall of partition, and reaching even to angels and unfallen worlds. That lifting is the crisis and judgment of this world, when the prince of this world is cast out, his deceptions unveiled and his accusing power broken, while the justice and mercy of God and the perpetuity of His law are vindicated before the universe. The drawing is universal and gracious yet without force, for Christ by the Spirit takes the first step to soften and convict, but each person must respond in repentance toward God and faith toward Christ to receive pardon, a new heart and eternal life. Those so drawn are then to lift Him up themselves, exalting the crucified Redeemer in preaching, reflecting Him in life, and ministering to the suffering, and this lifting becomes the great center that draws others to Him.
Meaning of Lifted Up
To be lifted up from the earth is to die on the cross as the propitiation and sacrifice for the sins of the world, and by that death to draw people to himself and open the way of life and salvation to Jews and Gentiles of every nation, tongue and people. The lifting up is the crisis of the world, signifying the death He would die as the propitiation for the world, lighting up the world, confronting the world with a choice of allegiance, and opening the way for people to leave Satan's service and follow Christ. Through it He restores the defaced image of God in man, reproduces that image, and gathers a family of believing saints who receive Him and are given power to become the sons of God to finally inhabit the heavenly home. Seeing His love in His death as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world softens the heart, moves the mind, inspires contrition, and leads sinners to repentance.
That lifting was a public, shameful crucifixion between heaven and earth and between humanity and God, in lowest humiliation with matchless love and self-denial exhibited for a fallen world. On the cross at Calvary He suffered in the flesh with gushing blood and bruised and broken body, bearing the guilt of the whole world and giving His life in the crowning act for the sins of the world, with depths of humiliation no line can fathom. By coming nearer in the fulness of the Godhead bodily and taking humanity as one of us He exalted humanity, turned His whole divine self into a sacrifice to save a perishing world, and demonstrated how deep and abundant divine love is. The death was followed by burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father, where He serves as Advocate, and Roman rule made this public crucifixion possible so the prophecy would be fulfilled in the foretold manner.
As Moses lifted the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so Christ was lifted to be looked to in living faith for healing, salvation, spiritual health, spiritual power, eternal life and a home in the kingdom of God. As repentant Israelites dying from fiery serpents who looked lived and were perfectly healed and spared from death, so those bitten by the devil who look to the uplifted Saviour live, and people in the coming time of trouble may look to Him and live. The cross was raised publicly before all nations, tongues and peoples, calling them to look to the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sins. This beholding must be continual, with the mind kept on Him and the life conformed to His image, because there is no safety in allowing the mind to be drawn from Him, and since He has given His life to redeem it now rests with each person to believe and by living faith accept His sacrifice.
The words were spoken just before betrayal and death, in the last teaching in the temple, looking forward to the approaching sacrifice and the hour of lifting and to the result of the great sacrifice. Greeks seeking Jesus at that time were a pledge of the coming worldwide harvest, of breaking down the separation between Jew and Gentile and gathering a great harvest to God. The cruel, ignominious cross with all its horrors blazes with glory, for only by that death could redemption be accomplished, as the grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die before the harvest can be reaped. The saying points first to the hour when Christ was lifted up on the cross, and also applies to the present work of lifting Him up before the world as God's people carry the truth forward in His love and strength to advance and conquer through faith.
All Drawn to Christ
To be drawn means to be drawn from every nation, tongue and people, both Jews and Gentiles, for the lifting up breaks down the wall of partition reared to keep others from privilege and opens the way of life and salvation to all. The Greeks seeking Jesus were a pledge of that worldwide harvest to be gathered to God through the sacrificial service, and the appeal of Calvary reaches even those long in the darkness of heathenism when the gospel is preached to all nations. All are given evidence and conviction, and those who accept and obey are claimed as God's own.
The drawing reaches beyond earth to heaven itself, to holy angels and the inhabitants of unfallen worlds, to the whole family in heaven and earth. Angels and the redeemed are drawn through the infinite sacrifice, rejoicing in the judgment against Satan and bringing honor and glory to the Redeemer. In Him is found all restorative power to give everlasting life and heal every physical and spiritual disease.
The invitation is universal and gracious to the whole human family, and all are invited to believe and may come. Like a shepherd calling scattered sheep, He calls people everywhere to hear His voice and follow Him, letting down the cord of love from heaven. The call is not limited to the poor but is to be presented to every class, to the highest as well as to ordinary workers, regardless of position, education, nationality or training. His message of mercy is for the whole world, bringing the work of redemption into vital contact with human hearts through the Spirit, for He is the divine Author, the Truth, the Word and the Life. Knowing God and Jesus Christ is life and salvation to all who respond, and His death paid the ransom so that those who respond in faith surrender themselves and receive time to form characters for immortal life, finding in Him life, light and truth for daily happiness and bearing burdens, with life through the atoning sacrifice, full pardon, and exaltation with God.
All are given every opportunity and privilege, yet not all are actually drawn, because drawing requires choosing to die to self, responding in faith and coming. His crucifixion confronts the world with a choice of allegiance, opening the way to leave Satan's service and follow Christ, lighting up the world and gathering a family of believing saints to finally inhabit the heavenly home with power to become sons of God. Many, like Judas, wish to retain their own individuality and their natural and cultivated traits of character, refusing to give up and cut away tendencies that separate them from Christ. If admitted to heaven while cherishing those traits they would cause a second rebellion, so God has given a probation to see if through Christ they will obtain the power that constitutes them sons of God, while those who remain under Satan's influence reject the drawing. Those who respond are convicted by the truth, repent, become God's children and surrender to His will, finding in Him hope, rest and peace, and their response can divide a household because others reject the drawing.
He draws without force or compulsion, never forcing anyone into position, for conviction comes by presenting the truth as it is in Jesus to the mind and appealing to the heart. His only compulsion is the constraint of love, working through truth and love by His Spirit and heavenly agencies to turn those ruled by human ambition and passions into workers for Him and bring them out from under Satan's rule. He draws by persuasive example and patience, forbearance and long-suffering, not by rudeness, domination, restriction or secular power, and when the church seeks secular power to enforce belief it shows lack of His power of divine love.
Judgment and Cosmic Vindication
The lifting up is the crisis of this world and its judgment, when the prince of this world is cast out, his reign ended, his rule defeated and his dominion challenged. The cross is set in the very place where Satan has his seat and rules the earth, with Christ standing at the head of humanity as the great center, and by paying the ransom with His death He ends the reign of the enemy while the legions of hell with the prince of darkness oppose the laws of His kingdom. Though humanity is under the power of evil, His work draws people toward the hope and power found in Him, and as He faced the cross He saw that His death would cast out the ruler of this world and win people to God.
That death removes Satan's claim over human souls and reasserts God's ownership, breaking his hold on human hearts and working to win back people deceived by him and draw them to God. It effectually unveils Satan's deceptions and refutes his claims and accusations against God, making the love of God known to the universe. His accusing power over the universe is broken forever, including his charge that self-denial was impossible, and the outcome of the conflict between Christ and the powers of darkness is revealed to the watching universe.
The cross vindicates the character of the Father and the Son and justifies God and His Son before all heaven and the universe in their dealing with Satan's rebellion and their judgment against him and his expulsion. It fully vindicates and justifies God's justice and mercy, showing that God can be just and yet the justifier of him that believes in Jesus, while maintaining the dignity of the divine law. It establishes the perpetuity of the law of God, reveals the nature and the results of sin, and by opening the way of life makes heaven accessible to men.
The drawing reaches beyond those saved by Christ's blood to the holy angels and unfallen created beings and intelligences of other worlds, the whole family in heaven and earth, who are drawn to Christ through this act. Angels and the redeemed are drawn, and men and angels bring honor and glory to the Redeemer, rejoicing in the judgment against Satan. Even angels are secured only through the sufferings of the Son, and unfallen worlds are guarded against apostasy, so that rebellion will never again arise to all eternity.
Cross as Saving Center
Lifted between heaven and earth, the cross is the great center of attraction and influence that calls across the gulf made by sin and unites humanity with God. Set in the very place where Satan has his seat and rules the earth, it stands at the head of humanity to draw all to God, challenging and ending the enemy's dominion without violating human nature and vindicating the justice of God. By the ransom paid in death atonement is offered, the bond of love and dependence is restored, fallen people are placed on vantage ground with the divine image restored, and mercy and truth are brought together with righteousness and peace. Christ is the true center and source of all spiritual life, joining divine power with human cooperation so that people can resist evil and bring in righteousness, and those drawn to Him are hidden with Him in God, given His Spirit, and united in harmony with Christ as their life and center. He took human nature and lived on earth to understand temptation and give power to overcome, calling all who make Him guide and teacher to surrender supposed wisdom, come to the cross and be under His control, with the church subordinate to this one central power and every receiver and believer then used to win the world back to God.
At the cross justice and mercy meet, for Christ bore the penalty for injustice and sin and satisfied the claims of the broken law with His blood and broken body, so that justice can forgive without surrendering holiness and mercy has power to oppose sin and draw sinners to Christ. Drawn to Him, sinners are drawn to repentance toward God for transgression of His law, seeing His love, looking to Him in faith, recognizing their need of His righteousness, and laying hold by living faith of the merits of His death and resurrection. God's law exposes and condemns sin and reveals its spirituality and eternal obligation, but it has no pardoning or cleansing power and cannot save the transgressor. Acceptance therefore rests on Christ's accepted sacrifice and righteousness received by faith, not on works, merit, or human effort, with the sinner coming to the atoning Sacrifice as substitute as the only hope, cleansed, purified, given a new heart, made a new creature, strengthened to resist sin, and united with divine power.
The crucifixion lights up the world and reproduces and restores the defaced image of God in man, giving all who receive Him power to become sons of God. His sacrifice was offered to restore humanity to original perfection and transform character, gathering a family of believing saints to finally inhabit the heavenly home and placing them on Christ's side, bought with a price above every earthly estimate. Belief in the uplifted Saviour brings new birth, ends living to self, makes one ready even to sacrifice life itself, and makes those who overcome through His strength more than conquerors. By this transforming power the gospel wins converts and makes a distinct commandment-keeping people, pledged to love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and neighbor as self, yielding to no other claimant and fitted as agents to cooperate with Him.
The cross is the great central truth of salvation and redemption, the great monument of mercy and regeneration, around which every other truth clusters. Every truth from Genesis to Revelation must be studied in the light streaming from Calvary and in connection with the atonement, and the uplifted Saviour and His wonderful sacrifice are to be the theme of every discourse, the central message, warning, invitation, encouragement and spiritual nourishment. When He is lifted up as never before with attention riveted upon the world's Redeemer, a glory attends the truth still little known, He implants the Holy Spirit in every heart that opens to Him and dwells as a living abiding power in every element of influence, engaging every holy agency in the universe while believers combine under His banner against confederated evil influences. Beholding Him thus lifted up higher and still higher changes beholders into the same image, and those who study grow in grace and knowledge, receive power to become sons of God unto perfection of character, and draw with Him as His love flows through their words.
Repentance Faith and Renewal
Christ takes the first step toward sinners, and no one repents unaided or takes one step toward Him unless drawn by the love shining from the cross touching the heart. The drawing is the goodness of God shown in the death of the Saviour for the sins of the world, which softens the heart, moves the mind, quickens the conscience and inspires contrition even in those unaware of its working. Lifted up between heaven and earth, He draws all by that love, revealing that the plan of salvation has been carried out and accepted by the Father so that sinners who look to Him in living faith are saved. If not resisted, this drawing leads to the foot of the cross in repentance, and those drawn respond with gratitude and personal effort to lead others to value the gift.
Beholding the crucified Saviour reveals human sinfulness, the depth of divine compassion and the hatefulness of sin. In seeing Him crucified, a person recognizes that sin caused the Lord of glory to suffer and bear the guilt of the whole world as the only hope for those trapped in sin. This sight brings awareness of personal ingratitude, rebellion and separation from God, awakening heartfelt sorrow and a sense of sin's sinfulness which is heaven's means of saving. As lifted up before people, His self-sacrifice, goodness, compassion, humility and suffering move hearts and win them to His cause.
Yielding to the drawing brings conviction, contrition, repentance toward God for transgressing His law and faith toward Christ as substitute, surety, Advocate and Lamb. Repentance is God's gift that must precede forgiveness, yet faith in Christ as Mediator precedes repentance, and the same grace that brings forgiveness also brings contrition shown by a radical change of mind and heart bringing the heart into subjection to Christ. Such repentance can never originate with man but proceeds only from Christ, just as pardon does, and rests on His accepted sacrifice and righteousness, not on works, for the law exposes and condemns sin but cannot save the transgressor. Sinners need not wait for deep feeling but must come as they are, submit the will to God, surrender to Him, turn from iniquity and look to Him in faith to receive mercy.
Those who consent receive full pardon, imputed righteousness, cleansing, a new heart, peace, assurance and the knowledge of God which is eternal life. His death paid the ransom for their souls and made everlasting life possible, bringing life and immortality within reach, with power to overcome and time to form characters for immortal life. All who come to Him can be saved completely, and those who keep trusting Him will not perish or be lost but, persevering as climbers on the ladder from earth to heaven aided by God above it, will enter His everlasting kingdom. Rejecting the drawing cuts off the means of life, while yielding leads toward a fuller knowledge of Him.
Those drawn are hidden with Christ in God, with their lives showing that God loves them as He loves His Son, and truth's divine power unites them in harmony with Christ as their life and center. As they behold the Redeemer, faith, adoration and love awaken and they grow into the likeness of the One they adore, bound up with His life by constantly receiving from Him as living bread and fresh fountain in freshness, simplicity, humility, meekness and lowliness of heart. Through faith in His sacrifice, those once governed by ambition and passion accept discipleship, surrender ambitions, turn from evil passions, redirect abilities once used against good toward building up what they harmed, and are made sons of God by new birth. They give Him whole hearts and affections, hold up His righteousness rather than their own, live self-denying overcoming lives far above worldliness as a distinct commandment-keeping people pledged to love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and neighbor as self, consecrating time, money, talents and influence to cooperate with Him and reflect His light in obedience.
Lifting Him Up Today
Those who are drawn are then to draw with Christ, cooperating with Him as His agents and instruments through the Spirit in winning the world back to God. Every converted person is given this work with power to win souls, not ministers alone, and the church is to exert an influence that points people to Him rather than concentrating the work in one place. Human workers have no drawing power of their own, for hearts are attracted by the light of the cross alone, and effectiveness comes only as Christ dwells within and His Spirit of truth sanctifies through the Word. Those who fix their eyes on Jesus and live for God's glory can cooperate with heavenly beings in saving souls, while God uses human messengers in the ministry of His Word though not all will come.
Lifting Him up in preaching means exalting the Man of Calvary and Him crucified as the sin-pardoning Redeemer and only hope, higher and still higher, as the sum and substance of every discourse. He must be lifted up, not self or ministers or earthly rulers, for men are saved only by His atoning sacrifice, and believers are to sit at His feet and learn of Him rather than striving to make themselves shine. This is done by knowing what is truth and proclaiming it with a positive, certain, affirmative voice, never uttering doubt, and by keeping sacred truths uplifted with Christ at the center. It is to be done in simplicity and Holy Spirit power, without controversy, display, human imagination or praise of men, making His claims clear and urging decision so sinners are converted and know what they must do to be saved. When His love abides in the worker he shines unconsciously, spreading the light of His glory, and as a laborer together with God his ministry draws souls to Christ.
Lifting Him up in life means reflecting His tenderness, courtesy, love, humility, purity and godliness in words, conversation and deeds, letting the bright rays of truth shine clearly and steadily so people can follow His words. Whoever draws near beholds the Saviour and catches divine rays from the Sun of Righteousness, so that he cannot help shining in words and works of righteousness with grace dwelling richly within in complete obedience. When His character is exalted before others in daily life souls are drawn, and when He is not lifted up souls are not drawn. This is done by bringing good things from the treasure of the heart to cheer and bless others, sustained by His grace, by hiding self in Christ, overcoming by the Lamb and keeping His commandments as example, which convicts sinners and unites believers. Indulging in slang, foolish talk and idle jesting brings darkness upon self and others, weakens influence and keeps souls from being drawn. Presenting the truth as it is in Jesus in all its solemnity yet with simplicity, tenderness, kindness, gentle loving words with no harsh word and no selfish act, and true modesty and Christian courtesy, fulfills the drawing power and wins souls.
Lifting Him up in service means relieving suffering humanity, gathering in outcasts to uplift and reform them so they see God as Restorer, and ministering to the sick, despairing, afflicted and backsliding. The greatest missionary work is ministerial work combined with medical missionary work, through which truth goes forth to the world, presenting the atonement with tenderness to give hope, faith, rest and new life. His gifts enable people to point sinners to Him, so every ability must be used wisely for salvation and not for selfish ambition or control over conscience, presenting truth clearly without force or human barriers. This drawing work is approved by God and should be appreciated and joined rather than criticized, with the Holy Spirit enabling understanding of God's use of human agents in it, even amid opposition and at cost to ease, reputation or property.
This lifting reaches every class, high and low, poor and rich, ordinary workers and those in positions of influence, youth and the hopelessly depraved, for the call is not limited to the poor. Christ took the first step toward humanity, touching the heart by the love expressed in offering His soul for sin, and those drawn respond with gratitude and personal effort to lead others to value God's gift and believe unto everlasting life. Seeing that infinite sacrifice lays duty on every enlightened soul to deny self, lift the cross and by personal effort lead others to believe, advancing the triumph of the cross through costly faithfulness rather than ease. This calls for the work to spread into many centers, with offerings and self-sacrifice, resisting selfishness and upholding the gospel even at personal cost. Selfish living, idols in the heart, worldliness and criticism become stumbling blocks that keep sinners from coming to Christ.