Last Updated on September 27, 2018 by Stacy Averette
I’ve been reading “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer. He wrote it in 1948.
On page 40 I run head-on into this:
It is woven of the fine threads of the self-life, the hyphenated sins of the human spirit. They are not something we do, they are something we are , and therein lies both their subtlety and their power. To be specific, the self-sins are these: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and a host of others like them. They dwell too deep within us and are too much a part of our natures to come to our attention till the light of God is focused upon them. The grosser manifestations of these sins, egotism, exhibitionism, self-promotion, are strangely tolerated in Christian leaders even in circles of impeccable orthodoxy. They are so much in evidence as actually, for many people, to become identified with the gospel. I trust it is not a cynical observation to say that they appear these days to be a requisite for popularity in some sections of the Church visible. Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice.
His words sit heavy on my heart.
If Tozer observed this in 1948, what would he say about Christian leaders, the Church visible, or me today?
Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice. (Tozer)
Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” John 13:9
Lord, I lay aside every thing that would hinder me in what I have to do. I am earnest for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it. Sanctify me!
You can get your own copy of “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer by clicking this link.
Shine your light on the dark parts of me so that i can see them clearly and repent!
Amen! That’s my prayer.