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Drawing Near to God

“We all have a general calling, which is to draw closer and closer to the Lord…” (Edith M. Humphrey) “God the Father loves humankind no differently than He loves the Son and the Holy Spirit, as He draws us into the perfect communion of the divine life, all the while respectful of our creaturely freedom.” (Vigen Guroian) “It is important to remember that our God did not create us as puppets, but rather as persons with the freedom to respond, or not, to His invitation to enter into communion with Him. Just as a loving dad, desiring to help his child take those first steps on his own, will let go of the child’s hands, as the mother reaches out from a few feet away, allow their child the freedom to move independently, taking their first step, so our God can withdraw our sense of His presence, that we might freely reach out to Him. This is because, just as the child is given freedom to make that first step, so we are given the opportunity to respond to God’s invitation, by our own free will.” (Abbot Tryphon) “We have undeniable proof that God is fully able to draw men to Christ. The case of Saul of Tarsus meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus is a famous example of God drawing someone against his will (Acts 9:3-8). Historically, there have been times of widespread willingness to see and believe in Christ. During such seasons, multitudes of men and women have flocked to the Good Shepherd. Why then, at present, are so few coming? Why do many show no signs of being drawn to God? We must first recall God’s gift of freedom – a freedom that includes the ability to resist God. Drawing is not the same as forcing. Judas Iscariot was drawn to Christ, but he was not forced to honor Him. Ananias and Sapphira were drawn to God, yet they turned aside (Acts 5:1-10).” (Dynamis 5/7/2020) “St. James writes in his epistle, “draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). The reality is that God is near to us all the time but our spiritual senses are dulled. We are like a static radio and we are turning the dial hoping to tune in. But if we have this desire to experience God personally, we simply need to approach our spiritual life with all that the Church instructs us to do, and this desire will be met…But how do we draw near? The first step is the simple decision to begin each day in prayer.” (Sacramental Living Ministries)

“Everything comes from God and everything should be drawn back to Him.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Ephesians 1:4-6)

“To be converted to Jesus Christ means that a human person encounters Him and is mysteriously drawn to trust Him and to unite with Him. All we can do is to open the path between that person and Christ, remembering that both persons have the freedom not to make the encounter. Our strongest evangelistic tools are love and prayer.” (Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick)

“We have undeniable proof that God is fully able to draw men to Christ…Why then, at present, are so few coming? Why do many show no signs of being drawn to God? We must first recall God’s gift of freedom – a freedom that includes the ability to resist God. Drawing is not the same as forcing. Judas Iscariot was drawn to Christ, but he was not forced to honor Him… Ultimately, we either choose to submit to Christ as Lord and God or we do not. God does not force Himself on us.” (Dynamis 5/8/2014)

“Whenever God whispers to you—whether it is a word of conviction, revelation, or intercession—He is ultimately trying to draw you closer to Himself. While the initial words may seem overwhelming, unclear, or even strange at first, if they are truly from Him then you will find yourself drawn back to the heart of God.” (Margaret Feinberg)

“...religion and faith are first of all about God acting in our lives, about God leading us and saving us, about God moving our minds, our hearts and our wills, and drawing us to Himself.” (Father John Zeyack)

“God’s love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in…The stirring of spiritual desire indicates that God’s Spirit is already at work within us, drawing us to Himself." (Life Application Study Bible, John 3:16), Ruth Haley Barton)

“St. James writes in his epistle, “draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). The reality is that God is near to us all the time but our spiritual senses are dulled. We are like a static radio and we are turning the dial hoping to tune in. But if we have this desire to experience God personally, we simply need to approach our spiritual life with all that the Church instructs us to do, and this desire will be met…But how do we draw near? The first step is the simple decision to begin each day in prayer.” (Sacramental Living Podcast)

“When we are alone, we are never really alone. Jesus is always present, whether we are cognizant of it or not.” If we don’t feel this right now, then we should just start by accepting it as true in our mind, and know that if seek to draw near to God with all of our heart, we will experience His presence.” (Albert Rossi, Sacramental Living Ministries)

“People must see Christ at work in us, even if that is not what consciously is going through their minds. It’s to our benefit too if we just live the Gospel and don’t think about it as such because the more it is a genuine part of us, the more we are truly humble and thus Christ-like and the more we will draw people to God through our unconscious example.” (Sacramental Living)


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