Beliefs Nominal and Real
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of practical beliefs in our lives, highlighting the need for restoration to their original state.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical distinction between nominal beliefs, which are merely held in name, and practical beliefs, which are the true convictions that guide our lives. He argues that while nominal beliefs may be sound, practical beliefs often require restoration to align with God's original design for mankind. Tozer reflects on the radical changes in the world since the time of Jesus and questions whether these changes have led us to alter God's plans for His church. He calls for a reevaluation of our practical beliefs to ensure they reflect the truth of the Gospel and the teachings of Christ. Ultimately, Tozer urges believers to purge faults and abuses from their practical beliefs to restore their faith to its intended glory.
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One area of thinking that needs reform is our practical beliefs about God's design for mankind. I emphasize practical beliefs, because there is a difference between nominal beliefs and practical ones. A nominal belief is what you hold in name, and the practical belief is what you hold in reality and what holds you. While probably there are not many faults to be found with the nominal beliefs, there are a great deal to be found with the practical beliefs. These practical beliefs need restoration to their happy and bright state with faults and abuses purged.
It has been a long time since Jesus was born in Bethlehem, died on the cross, rose again the third day, ascended to the right hand of God the Father Almighty and sent the Holy Spirit to establish His church.
Since those days there have been changes in the world so radical, sweeping, all-pervading and revolutionary as to be entirely incredible to anybody living in Jesus' day. Today's world was entirely unimaginable to the people of those times. Have these changes forced God to modify His plans for His church and for mankind? Here is where we have fallen by the wayside. . . .
Sermon Outline
- Nominal vs. Real Beliefs
- State of Practical Beliefs Today
- Restoration of Practical Beliefs
- Need for restoration to original state
- Purging of faults and abuses
Key Quotes
“A nominal belief is what you hold in name, and the practical belief is what you hold in reality and what holds you.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must examine our practical beliefs and ensure they align with God's design for mankind.
- Restoration of our practical beliefs requires a purging of faults and abuses that have crept in over time.
- Our practical beliefs have a direct impact on our lives, and we must prioritize them over nominal beliefs.