Forgiveness for the Past and Provision for the Present
The gospel is not just about escaping consequences, but about transformation and a changed heart.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of understanding that true forgiveness in Christ comes with moral implications and transformation. He warns against the notion of grace that allows individuals to escape the consequences of sin without addressing the need for change in their lives. Tozer argues that a genuine experience of God's forgiveness must be accompanied by a heartfelt acknowledgment of sin and a commitment to moral integrity. He encourages preachers to deliver the complete message of the gospel, even if it leads to losing friends or facing opposition, as the priority should be to please God and care for the souls of others.
Text
. . . To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold injury where it hurts him worst. Many evangelical teachers insist so strongly upon free, unconditional grace as to create the impression that sin is not a serious matter and that God cares very little about it. He is concerned only with our escaping the consequences. The gospel then in practical application means little more than a way to escape the fruits of our past.
The heart that has felt the weight of its own sin and along with this has seen the dread whiteness of the Most High God will never believe that a message of forgiveness without transformation is a message of good news.
To remit a man's past without transforming his present is to violate the moral sincerity of his own heart. To that kind of thing God will be no party. We must have courage to preach the whole message. By so doing we shall undoubtedly lose a few friends and make a number of enemies. But the true Christian will not grieve too much about that. He has enough to do to please his Lord and Savior and to be true to the souls of all men. That may well occupy him too completely to leave much time for regrets over the displeasure of misguided men.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Conditional Forgiveness
- The Gospel in Practical Application
- The Moral Sincerity of the Heart
- The Courage to Preach the Whole Message
- Losing Friends and Making Enemies
- Being True to the Lord and Others
Key Quotes
“To remit a man's past without transforming his present is to violate the moral sincerity of his own heart.” — A.W. Tozer
“To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold injury where it hurts him worst.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must have courage to preach the whole message of God's judgment, even if it means losing friends and making enemies.
- True forgiveness requires transformation and a changed heart, not just escaping consequences.
- The moral sincerity of our hearts is at stake when we preach the gospel, and we must be true to the Lord and others.