Resisting The Influence

John 12:32  "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

SC 26,27  "Jesus has said, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.'  Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Savior 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 of soul.
     It is true that sometimes men 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 it's victim?  Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?
     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."

I don't think I can say it any better, I just want to respond to that drawing, don't you? Grandma Joan