Friday, March 30, 2012

Saving Faith ... And Do I Have It?

I have been reading Faith Beyond Reason by AW Tozer and thought this was well said. While talking about saving faith, Tozer writes:

Knowledge is not enough!

You can stand on the outside and have all the information and know all about it and yet not be a true disciple who really knows Christ. I once read a book about the inner spiritual life by a man who was not a Christian at all. He was a sharp intellectual, a keen Englishman. He stood outside and examined spiritual people from the outside, but nothing ever reached him. And that is possible!

You cannot argue around this. You can read your Bible—read any version you want—and if you are honest you will admit that it is either obedience or inward blindness. You can repeat Romans word for word and still be blind inwardly. You can quote all the Psalms and still be blind inwardly. You can know the doctrine of justification by faith and take your stand with Luther and the Reformation and be blind inwardly. It is not the body of truth that enlightens; it is the Spirit of truth who enlightens.

If you are willing to obey the Lord Jesus, He will illuminate your spirit. He will inwardly enlighten you. The truth you have known intellectually will now be known spiritually. Power will begin to flow up and out, and you will find yourself changed, marvelously changed. It is rewarding to believe in a Christianity that really changes people.

I would rather be part of a small group with inner knowledge than part of a vast group with only intellectual knowledge. In that great day of Christ's coming, all that will matter is whether or not I have been inwardly illuminated, inwardly regenerated, inwardly purified.
The question is: Do we really know Jesus in this way?

Faith Beyond Reason by AW Tozer.

4 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Wow. I continually and constantly pray for a few very close to my heart for that inward regeneration.

Molly said...

Steve let your litle light shine! I'm currently reading 'Divine Conquest' by A W Tozer

Our Journey with Gods Blessings said...

your inspiring to all of us;) thank you I am reading Divine Conquest also

Valerie said...

Like your image of the railway tracks leading to the horizon - I see it as representing my journey as a Christian: still a long way from the person God wants me to be, but tackling the process one plank at a time and seeking His guidance along the way! Thanks for your wonderful images Steve and your challenging and encouraging messages. God bless