On Being Different
The Church's influence and power are rooted in her being different from the world, and compromising with the world diminishes her power.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the Church's greatest influence comes from its distinctiveness from the world. He argues that the Church's power is directly proportional to how different it is from society, and that attempts to conform to worldly standards dilute its effectiveness. Tozer warns against the dangers of compromise, asserting that true believers are morally and spiritually separated from the world. He highlights that similarity to the world signifies a decline in the Church's character and mission. The sermon calls for a return to the Church's unique identity as a reflection of God's kingdom.
Text
The Church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.
This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it.
But miss it we do, for we hear constantly that the Church must try to be as much like the world as possible, excepting, of course, where the world is too, too sinful; and we are told to get adjusted to the world and be all things to all men. (This use of the passage, incidentally, points up Peter's saying that Our beloved brother Paul wrote some things which the unlearned and the unstable wrest to their own destruction.) One sure mark of the Church's heavenly character is that she is different from the rest of mankind; similarity is a mark of her fall.
The sons of God and the sons of men are morally and spiritually separated, and between them there is a great gulf fixed. When religious persons try to bridge that gulf by compromise they violate the very principles of the kingdom of God.
Sermon Outline
- The Church's Influence
- The Church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world
- Her power lies in her being different
Key Quotes
“The Church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives.” — A.W. Tozer
“Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- The Church should strive to maintain her distinctiveness from the world.
- Compromising with the world can lead to a loss of spiritual power and influence.
- The Church's heavenly character is marked by her separation from the world.