The Cross (drawing nigh to God)
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (Jo 12:32). God draws men unto him through the cross. There is a difference between callings and drawings. God calls you to salvation, which is one purpose of the cross. (See - The Cross - Addressing Sin click to read!) As it is written, “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Lu 5:32), “... as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39), and “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (Rom 8:30). However, we draw closer to Him for it is written, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22). This is another purpose of the cross. God draws you closer by your willing to submit to the cross. This sets the stage for true humbleness to Him, free of personal ambition, pride, and self-righteousness. For it is written, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Ps 34:18). Christ said in John 12:32 that if he were lifted up (the cross) he will draw all men unto Him. If you lift up the cross (submitting yourself to the work of the cross), God will draw you nigh (closer) to Him. God can only draw you close to Him through the cross. This process never ends as long as you are in that sinful flesh, for we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:14). Even though one is saved, having the Spirit of God, there should be a yearning to be close as you can to God through Christ. This should be an unending desire. If this desire is not there, ask the Lord with a sincere heart to restore that desire you once had and to tenderize your heart that you may draw closer to Him. You may be a minister, pastor, teacher, or elder, etc., but your work for the Lord (your ministry) may have (unknowingly) given you a sense of achievement and that you have reached the pinnacle of your relationship with God. (See – Contending for the Faith click to read!) When a person stops reaching for God, stagnation and self-deception sets in. Your relationship with God can only be as close as you will let it. Do not let your “ministry” or your “God’s work” come between you and God. For it is written, “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter in the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat 7:21-23). Just because you are a good worker does not mean that the owner personally knows you. When a person stops reaching for God, they can be out of the will of God and not even know it. They may be so focused on what they are doing, what they want to do, and how they are going to do it that the Lord is unable to change their direction according to His will. The Lord does not force His will upon anyone. When Abraham went to sacrifice his son Isaac, obeying the true voice of God (Gen 22:1-19), he stopped short, hearing the voice of the angel. What if he was so purposed on what he was about to do or how he was going to do it, that he could not hear the voice of the angel or reject the voice since it wasn’t from God? God knew Abraham and knew from the beginning that Abraham always had an ear for Him and knew His voice, be it from Him or an angel. We must always have an ear towards God in all things and activities, especially in doing “God’s work”. You keep an ear towards God by humbling yourself and searching for guidance in the Spirit before and as you proceed. Sometimes it may not be for us to do it; sometimes a change is necessary that is why pride and arrogance must be dealt with by the cross. (See The Cross - our submission click to read!) “Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day” (1Ki 8:61) and He will keep you in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him because you trusteth in Him (Is 26:3)
