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  APPOINTED TO BE ETERNAL FRUIT-BEARERS
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: The Spirit's working in a person is marked by a mighty moral
discontent and a consuming spiritual hunger.

Topics: "Transformation through God", "Spiritual Hunger"
Scripture References: Psalm 42:1, Matthew 5:6, John 15:16, Hebrews 12:25

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes that a true encounter with God transforms a
person, leaving them marked by a profound moral discontent and a deep
spiritual hunger. He points out that many people find temporary pleasure
in sin and become complacent with the world's moral standards, which
hinders their ability to repent and believe. Tozer illustrates that true
repentance requires a divine work that stirs a dissatisfaction with
oneself and the world, contrasting the complacency of Esau with Jacob's
spiritual longing. Ultimately, he asserts that genuine spiritual hunger
is a sign of God's prior work in a person's heart, as they realize their
need for Him.

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CONTENT
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. . . No man is ever the same after God has laid His hand upon him. He
will have certain marks, and though they are not easy to detect perhaps
we may cautiously name a few. . .

Another mark of the Spirit's working is a mighty moral discontent. In
spite of our effort to make sinners think they are unhappy the fact is
that wherever social and health conditions permit the masses of mankind
enjoy themselves very much. Sin has its pleasures (Hebrews 12:25) and
the vast majority of human beings have a whale of a time living. The
conscience is a bit of a pest but most persons manage to strike a truce
with it quite early in life and are not troubled much by it thereafter.

It takes a work of God in a man to sour him on the world and to turn him
against himself; yet until this has happened to him he is
psychologically unable to repent and believe. Any degree of contentment
with the world's moral standards or his own lack of holiness
successfully blocks off the flow of faith into the man's heart. Esau's
fatal flaw was moral complacency; Jacob's only virtue was his bitter
discontent.

Again before a man can be saved he must feel a consuming spiritual
hunger. Anyone who lives close to the hearts of men knows that there is
little spiritual hunger among them. Religion, pious talk, yes; but not
real hunger. Where a hungry heart is found we may be sure that God was
there first. ''Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you . . .''
(John 15:16)

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/appointed-to-be-eternal-fruit-bearers/
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