Don't Let Me Live Wrong
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of living a righteous life and the importance of finishing well in one's faith journey.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of living a life that honors God, expressing a deep desire to avoid a careless existence that leads to dishonor. He shares a heartfelt prayer asking God to take his life rather than allow him to live wrongly, reflecting on the story of Hezekiah, who, despite receiving an extension of life, ultimately failed to glorify God. Tozer's message is a call to remain steadfast in faith and to prioritize finishing well in our spiritual journey. He urges believers to seek righteousness and to be mindful of their mission to glorify God until the end.
Text
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. --2 Timothy 4:7-8
For years I have made a practice of writing many of my earnest prayers to God in a little book--a book now well worn. I still turn often to the petitions I recorded in that book. I remind God often of what my prayers have been.
One prayer in the book--and God knows it well by this time, for I pray it often--goes like this:
Oh God, Let me die rather than to go on day by day living wrong. I do not want to become a careless, fleshly old man. I want to be right so that I can die right. Lord, I do not want my life to be extended if it would mean that I should cease to live right and fail in my mission to glorify You all of my days!...
As you will recall from Second Kings 20, the Lord gave Hezekiah a 15-year extension of life. Restored to health and vigor, Hezekiah disgraced himself and dishonored God before he died and was buried.
I would not want an extra 15 years in which to backslide and dishonor my Lord. I would rather go home right now than to live on--if living on was to be a waste of God's time and my own! Jesus Is Victor! pp. 141-142
"Please, Father, help me to finish well. Amen."
Sermon Outline
-
I
- The importance of living right
- Consequences of living wrong
- The desire for a righteous life
-
II
- The example of Hezekiah
- Lessons from extended life
- The risk of dishonoring God
-
III
- The prayer for guidance
- The commitment to glorify God
- The urgency of finishing well
-
IV
- The call to accountability
- The role of faith in daily living
- The hope of eternal reward
Key Quotes
“Oh God, Let me die rather than to go on day by day living wrong.” — A.W. Tozer
“I would rather go home right now than to live on--if living on was to be a waste of God's time and my own!” — A.W. Tozer
“Please, Father, help me to finish well. Amen.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Regularly assess your life to ensure it aligns with God's purpose.
- Pray earnestly for guidance and strength to live righteously.
- Commit to accountability with fellow believers to encourage a faithful walk.