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  'AUTOMATIC' SAINTS?
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: True Christianity requires a lifetime of spiritual preparation,
discipline, and guidance from the Holy Spirit, not a painless and
automatic approach.

Topics: "True Christianity", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Philippians 2:12

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes that becoming a true saint is not an automatic or
painless process, but rather a continuous journey of spiritual
preparation, testing, and discipline. He critiques the prevalent notion
of 'instant' Christianity that suggests a simple formula can lead to
genuine faith, arguing that this approach only scratches the surface of
true Christian experience. Tozer calls for a deeper understanding of the
transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life,
highlighting that the new birth is just the beginning of a lifelong
commitment to spiritual growth.

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CONTENT
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Not everyone agrees with me that full qualification for eternity is not
instant or automatic or painless. I can only hope that you are wise
enough, desirous enough and spiritual enough to face up to the truth
that every day is another day of spiritual preparation, another day of
testing and discipline with our heavenly destination in mind. I hope,
too, that you may begin to understand why many evangelical churches are
in such a mess.

It has become popular to preach a painless Christianity and automatic
saintliness.

It has become a part of our "instant" culture-"just pour a little water
on it, stir mildly, pick up a gospel tract, and you are on your
Christian way!" "Lo," we are told, "this is Bible Christianity!,' "It is
nothing of the sort!" To depend upon that kind of a formula is to
experience only the outer fringe, the edge of what Christianity really
is. For when the new birth is real and the wonder of regeneration has
taken place, then comes the lifetime of preparation with the guidance of
the Holy Spirit!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/automatic-saints/
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