You may have heard people say they had to hold to the pew to keep from coming to Christ. Better yet one might say they have been running from Christ for twenty years.

The impression is left that the Lord was calling but the individual would not come. If the above is true, then we must say that man&8217;s will is greater than the Lord&8217;s.

Beloved the preacher certainly can&8217;t persuade you to come to Christ. Good or tragic experiences will fail also. But if The Master ever comes and calls for you, you will come to him. Please consider these things.

&8220;When Mary told her sister Martha that The Master is come, and calleth for thee, as soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came unto him.&8221; (Jn.11: 28-29)

When Jesus called the apostles, they followed.

&8220;And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.&8221; (Matt.4: 18-22)

&8220;My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.&8221; (Jn.10: 27) &8220;All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.&8221; (Jn.6: 37) &8220;When Jesus called Zacchaeus…he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.&8221; (Lk.19: 5-6)

&8220;And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, loose him, and let him go.&8221; (Jn. 11:43-44)

If Martha or Mary had called their dead brother Lazarus at the top of their voice, he would not have come forth from the dead. Oh! But look what happened when the master called.

&8220;And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.&8221; (Gen. 2:7)

&8220;When the master calls those that are dead in trespasses and sins, they come forth in spiritual life. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.&8221; (Eph.2:1)

Beloved, when The Master called all the above, they followed. Guilt, fear, emotions, high pressure or sorrow may call without results, but beloved, if The Master comes and calls for you, you will come to him.

Lee Roy Dutton is pastor at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church