Light to Live By
The Bible is a call to action, demanding faith, surrender, and immediate response from its readers.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the Bible is a divine response to humanity's moral crisis following the fall, serving as a guide for sinners to return to God. It is not merely a literary work to be appreciated but a call to action that demands faith, surrender, and commitment from its readers. The Scriptures provide essential truths about God, humanity, and the afterlife, while also offering salvation through Jesus Christ. Tozer warns that a passive approach to the Word only heightens one's responsibility and the judgment that follows. Ultimately, the destiny of each individual hinges on their response to God's voice in the Scriptures.
Text
The Bible was called forth by the moral emergency occasioned by the fall of man. It is the voice of God calling men home from the wilds of sin; it is a road map for returning prodigals; it is instruction in righteousness, light in darkness, information about God and man and life and death and heaven and hell. In it God warns, commands, rebukes, promises, encourages. In it He offers salvation and life through His Eternal Son.
And the destiny of each one depends upon the response he or she makes to the voice of the Word.
Because the Bible is the kind of book it is there can be no place for the detached, appraising attitude in our approach to it. ''O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.'' God's Word is not to be enjoyed as one might enjoy a Beethoven symphony or a poem by Wordsworth. It demands immediate action, faith, surrender, committal. Until it has secured these it has done nothing positive for the reader, but it has increased his responsibility and deepened the judgment that must follow.
Sermon Outline
- The Purpose of the Bible
- The Nature of the Bible
- The Response to the Bible
- The Consequences of Ignoring the Bible
- Increased responsibility
- Deeper judgment
Key Quotes
“O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.” — A.W. Tozer
“God's Word is not to be enjoyed as one might enjoy a Beethoven symphony or a poem by Wordsworth.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must approach the Bible with a sense of urgency and a willingness to take immediate action.
- Ignoring the Bible increases our responsibility and deepens our judgment.
- Faith and surrender are required to truly benefit from the Bible.