JESUS - THE DRAWING MAGNET
LESSON X
JESUS–THE DRAWING MAGNET
The Law of Attraction
I. Only Way By Which People Accept Christ
1. What does Christ declare is the only way by which people can come to Him?
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." John 6:1.4.
"When some who lack the Spirit and power of God enter a new field, they commence denouncing other denominations, thinking that they can convince the people of the truth by presenting the inconsistencies of the popular churches. . . . We are provided with spiritual weapons to fight the 'good fight of faith'; but some seem to have drawn from the armory of Heaven only its thunder-bolts. How long must these defects exist?"Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 536.
2. How do we know Christ also draws men to Himself?
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32. 3. While Christ draws, will all men avail themselves of this magnetic power? "Ye will not come to me, that he might have life." John 5:4a.
II. Satan is the Counterfeit Magnet
1. When Satan fell from heaven, how many of the stars, or angels, did he draw with him?
"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." Revelation 12:4.
III. Two Opposing Fellowships
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." John 6:1.4.
"When some who lack the Spirit and power of God enter a new field, they commence denouncing other denominations, thinking that they can convince the people of the truth by presenting the inconsistencies of the popular churches. . . . We are provided with spiritual weapons to fight the 'good fight of faith'; but some seem to have drawn from the armory of Heaven only its thunder-bolts. How long must these defects exist?"Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 536.
2. How do we know Christ also draws men to Himself?
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32. 3. While Christ draws, will all men avail themselves of this magnetic power? "Ye will not come to me, that he might have life." John 5:4a.
II. Satan is the Counterfeit Magnet
1. When Satan fell from heaven, how many of the stars, or angels, did he draw with him?
"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." Revelation 12:4.
III. Two Opposing Fellowships
1. If we walk in the drawing power of Christ, what takes place in human hearts?
"If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." 1 John 1:7. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3.
"A person who will allow any degree of suspicion or censure to rest upon his fellow workers, while he neither rebukes the complainers nor faithfully presents the matter before the one condemned, is doing the work of the enemy. He is watering the seeds of discord and of strife, the fruit of which he will have to meet in the day of God." Counsels on Health, pp. 297, 298.
"There should be . . . a sacred principle to guard the interest and reputation of every one with whom they are associated, even as they would wish their own reputation guarded." Counsels on Health, p. 298.
2. How does the word of God make clear that there is an opposing fellowship which we should shun? "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14.
3. How are we commanded to stay away from the evil, or counterfeit fellowship?
"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Ephesians 5:11.
"And I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." 1 Corinthians 10:20.
4. If one compromises with the world in its fellowship, what fellowship does he forfeit? "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15.
IV. God Helps in Changing Fellowships
1. By what means does the Lord use His drawing power to cause the sinner to desire to change fellowships?
"I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jeremiah 31:3.
2. When Christ saw that sinners wished to change fellowships from that of the world to that of the gospel, what did He do to draw them?
"This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Luke 15:2, last part.
3. How did the religious leaders of Christ's day react to this method of drawing the sinner to God? "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured." Luke 15:2, first part.
V. Following in the Footsteps of Christ
1. What does Christ's example mean to us today? "I have given you an example." John 13:15.
"Ye should follow his steps." 1 Peter 2:21.
"Remember that you can not read hearts. You do not know the motives which prompted the actions that to you look wrong. There are many who have not received a right education; their characters are warped, they are hard and gnarled, and seem to be crooked in every way. But the grace of Christ can transform them. Never cast them aside, never drive them to discouragement or despair b y saying, 'You have disappointed me, and I will not try to help you.' A few words spoken hastily under provocation, just what we think they deserve, may cut the cords of influence that should have bound their hearts to ours." Ministry of Healing, p. 494.
"If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." 1 John 1:7. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3.
"A person who will allow any degree of suspicion or censure to rest upon his fellow workers, while he neither rebukes the complainers nor faithfully presents the matter before the one condemned, is doing the work of the enemy. He is watering the seeds of discord and of strife, the fruit of which he will have to meet in the day of God." Counsels on Health, pp. 297, 298.
"There should be . . . a sacred principle to guard the interest and reputation of every one with whom they are associated, even as they would wish their own reputation guarded." Counsels on Health, p. 298.
2. How does the word of God make clear that there is an opposing fellowship which we should shun? "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14.
3. How are we commanded to stay away from the evil, or counterfeit fellowship?
"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Ephesians 5:11.
"And I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." 1 Corinthians 10:20.
4. If one compromises with the world in its fellowship, what fellowship does he forfeit? "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15.
IV. God Helps in Changing Fellowships
1. By what means does the Lord use His drawing power to cause the sinner to desire to change fellowships?
"I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jeremiah 31:3.
2. When Christ saw that sinners wished to change fellowships from that of the world to that of the gospel, what did He do to draw them?
"This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Luke 15:2, last part.
3. How did the religious leaders of Christ's day react to this method of drawing the sinner to God? "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured." Luke 15:2, first part.
V. Following in the Footsteps of Christ
1. What does Christ's example mean to us today? "I have given you an example." John 13:15.
"Ye should follow his steps." 1 Peter 2:21.
"Remember that you can not read hearts. You do not know the motives which prompted the actions that to you look wrong. There are many who have not received a right education; their characters are warped, they are hard and gnarled, and seem to be crooked in every way. But the grace of Christ can transform them. Never cast them aside, never drive them to discouragement or despair b y saying, 'You have disappointed me, and I will not try to help you.' A few words spoken hastily under provocation, just what we think they deserve, may cut the cords of influence that should have bound their hearts to ours." Ministry of Healing, p. 494.
2. When Christ was reviled, how did He react?
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again." 1 Peter 2:23, first part.
"If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that a 'soft answer turneth away wrath.' And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.
"Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God's promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises."Ministry of Healing, p. 486.
3. What did Christ do?
"But commended himself to him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:23, last part.
"When Christ was living on the earth, how surprised His associates would have been, if, after becoming acquainted with Him, they had heard Him speak one word of accusation, of fault-finding, or of impatience. Let us never forget that those who love Him are to represent Him in character." Ministry of Healing, p. 489.
4. What attitude gives strength in drawing them to Christ?
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10.
"If you do not feel light-hearted and joyous, do not talk of your feelings. Cast no shadow upon the lives of others. A cold, sunless religion never draws souls to Christ. It drives them away from Him, into the nets that Satan has spread for the feet of the straying." Ministry of Healing, p. 488.
5. How can many a relative win another to Jesus?
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives." 1 Peter 3:1.
"Until the Day of Judgment you will never know the influence of a kind, considerate course toward the inconsistent, the unreasonable, the unworthy." Ministry of Healing, p. 495.
6. How may we surprise them?
"When we meet with ingratitude and betrayal of sacred trusts, we are roused to show our contempt or indignation. This the guilty expect, they are prepared for it. But kind forbearance takes them by surprise, and often awakens their better impulses, and arouses a longing for a nobler life." Ministry of Healing p. 495.
7. How are we to be like Him?
"We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John 3:2, 3.
"Earnest workers have no time for dwelling upon the faults of others. We can not afford to live on the husks of other's faults or failings. Evil-speaking is a twofold curse, falling most heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife, reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of his love and perfection of character, we become changed into his image." Ministry of Healing, p. 492.
8. What should we talk about?
If this is your determination, be free to place your name on the certificate following, that you may keep
it ever before you.
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again." 1 Peter 2:23, first part.
"If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that a 'soft answer turneth away wrath.' And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.
"Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God's promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises."Ministry of Healing, p. 486.
3. What did Christ do?
"But commended himself to him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:23, last part.
"When Christ was living on the earth, how surprised His associates would have been, if, after becoming acquainted with Him, they had heard Him speak one word of accusation, of fault-finding, or of impatience. Let us never forget that those who love Him are to represent Him in character." Ministry of Healing, p. 489.
4. What attitude gives strength in drawing them to Christ?
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10.
"If you do not feel light-hearted and joyous, do not talk of your feelings. Cast no shadow upon the lives of others. A cold, sunless religion never draws souls to Christ. It drives them away from Him, into the nets that Satan has spread for the feet of the straying." Ministry of Healing, p. 488.
5. How can many a relative win another to Jesus?
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives." 1 Peter 3:1.
"Until the Day of Judgment you will never know the influence of a kind, considerate course toward the inconsistent, the unreasonable, the unworthy." Ministry of Healing, p. 495.
6. How may we surprise them?
"When we meet with ingratitude and betrayal of sacred trusts, we are roused to show our contempt or indignation. This the guilty expect, they are prepared for it. But kind forbearance takes them by surprise, and often awakens their better impulses, and arouses a longing for a nobler life." Ministry of Healing p. 495.
7. How are we to be like Him?
"We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John 3:2, 3.
"Earnest workers have no time for dwelling upon the faults of others. We can not afford to live on the husks of other's faults or failings. Evil-speaking is a twofold curse, falling most heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife, reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of his love and perfection of character, we become changed into his image." Ministry of Healing, p. 492.
8. What should we talk about?
"I will . . . talk of thy doings." Psalms 77:12.
"Then talk of the promises, talk of Jesus' willingness to bless. He does not forget us for one brief moment. When, notwithstanding disagreeable circumstances, we rest confidingly in His love, and shut ourselves in with Him, the sense of His presence will inspire a deep tranquil joy. Of Himself Christ said, 'I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.’” Ministry of Healing, p. 488.
Reflection
"Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what some one has said or done, praise something in that person's life or character." Ministry of Healing, p. 492.
"Then talk of the promises, talk of Jesus' willingness to bless. He does not forget us for one brief moment. When, notwithstanding disagreeable circumstances, we rest confidingly in His love, and shut ourselves in with Him, the sense of His presence will inspire a deep tranquil joy. Of Himself Christ said, 'I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.’” Ministry of Healing, p. 488.
Reflection
"Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what some one has said or done, praise something in that person's life or character." Ministry of Healing, p. 492.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Monday, November 13, 2017
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