'Automatic' Saints?
True Christianity requires a lifetime of spiritual preparation, discipline, and guidance from the Holy Spirit, not a painless and automatic approach.
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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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!
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Automatic Christianity
- The Reality of Spiritual Preparation
- The Dangers of Formulaic Christianity
- Experiencing Only the Outer Fringe of Christianity
- The Need for a Deeper Understanding of Regeneration
Key Quotes
“It has become popular to preach a painless Christianity and automatic saintliness.” — A.W. Tozer
“It is nothing of the sort!” — A.W. Tozer
“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!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- I must be willing to face the truth about my spiritual condition and the need for ongoing preparation.
- I must be careful not to rely on a formulaic approach to Christianity, but instead seek a deeper understanding of regeneration and spiritual growth.
- I must be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in my life and seek to follow His leading in my spiritual journey.