This week... a prayer
"Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and the servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all."
I really have nothing to add to this one, things really haven't changed much in half a century.
"You and I are in little (our sins excepted) what God is in large. Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know Him. In our sins we lack only the power. The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is, however, not an end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart's happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin, I say, but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end... To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily- satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart."
This reminds me of C.S. Lewis. Then again, everything reminds me of Lewis. But particularly this emphasis on a longing for something greater (he called it 'sehnsucht'), it was his definition of Joy. We see it also in Hebrews 11. Also, in the whole 'making' verses 'begetting' argument Lewis poses in Mere Christianity. As for me, I firmly believe the sin that has beset many believers is the inability to see regeneration as a beginning and not as the end goal. As long as salvation remains the prize then the athletes, the judges, and even the fans in the stands will enjoy a rather inferior sporting event.
A note on Lewis: "If you love C.S. Lewis so much, why don't you post quotes from Lewis every week instead of Tozer?" Well for two reasons: 1) I would post 95% of his work... and 2) There isn't a day in the week that begins with the letter "L" so sorry.
"Christian theology teaches the doctrine of prevenient grace, which briefly stated means this, that before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man. Before a sinful man can think a right thought of God, there must have been a work of enlightenment done within him; imperfect it may be, but a true work nonetheless, and the secret cause of all desiring and seeking and praying which may follow.
We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit." ~ A.W. Tozer
You know one thing I've come to learn is that not everyone believes this. Some people have a real problem with this statement. I think the problem comes because of the ramifications of adhering to it in the first place. If you say you believe it then you are pretty much saying "No" to several other possibilities. Many have a hard time understanding how God can give man free will and yet at the same time predestine that very man to follow Him. They wonder how God can 'orchestrate' man's will and yet still call it freedom.
Personally, I think anyone with children understands how it is entirely possible to do both at the same time.
Several years ago I would send an email to all of my friends on Thursday mornings. These emails included a brief snippet from the works of A.W. Tozer. Tozer was a Christian author (mainly popular in 1950s), pastor, father, and husband. He lived a simple life and was also known for his emphasis on prayer. Tozer was one of the first authors I encountered that forced me to think spiritually and gave me something to aspire to. His best work is perhaps "The Pursuit of God" and most of the quotes I will post have been taken from that book.
Most of the emails sent out never made landing anywhere. Some received a "good stuff" reply. However, every so often one would spark a revolution of thought and commentary. No doubt this format is more beneficial than email b/c it gives anyone an opportunity to reply without getting pesky emails from me.
So without further ado... I give you this week's Thursday Tozer.
Sound Bible exposition is an imperative must in the Church of the living God. Without it no church can be a New Testament church in any strict meaning of that term. But exposition may be carried on in such way as to leave the hearers devoid of any true spiritual nourishment whatever. For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience, they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts. ~ A.W. Tozer (The Pursuit of God, Preface)In 1 John 1:1-4, John tells us that there are certain things that Jesus did and said that John (no matter how hard he tried) could not get out of his mind. He continued to see the acts and hear the words as clearly as he had when Jesus was with him. This led to his certainty and experiential knowledge of the gospel of Christ. I'm not saying that is where Tozer was coming from in this quote, however, that is what it reminds me of.
God Bless
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