Running Toward the Goal
The Christian's life is driven by a longing to be like Christ and conform to His image, resulting in a revolt against conformity to unregenerate society.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true Christians resist the world's influence not out of mere rebellion, but because they recognize the emptiness of its promises. Having experienced the fleeting pleasures of society, they seek the lasting joy that comes from the Lord. The ultimate goal for believers is to be conformed to the image of Christ, who serves as the perfect model for their lives. This desire to emulate Christ fuels their rejection of worldly conformity, as expressed in Paul's testimony to the Philippians about counting all things as loss for the sake of Christ and pressing toward the heavenly prize.
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The true Christian, though he is in revolt against the world's efforts to brainwash him, is no mere rebel for rebellion's sake. He dissents from the world because he knows that it cannot make good on its promises. He has tasted the pleasures of society and he knows that they leave a bitter taste; and he has found that blessing of the Lord of which the wise man speaks, which maketh rich and addeth no sorrow with it.
And the Christian is not left without a "norm" to which he seeks to become adjusted. The Lord Jesus Christ is Himself the norm, the ideally perfect model, and the worshiping soul yearns to be like Him. Indeed the whole drive behind the Christian life is this longing to be conformed to the image of Christ. The energy with which the believing man revolts against conformity to the image of unregenerate society will be in exact proportion to the intensity of his yearning to be like Christ.
The classic expression of this burning desire to be Christlike is, of course, Paul's personal testimony in his letter to the Philippian Christians which begins, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ," and ends with the fervent declaration, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" ( Philippians 3:7-14).
Sermon Outline
- The Christian's Revolt Against the World
- The Christian's Norm
- The Drive Behind the Christian Life
- Longing to be conformed to Christ's image
- Revolt against conformity to unregenerate society
Key Quotes
“He has tasted the pleasures of society and he knows that they leave a bitter taste;” — A.W. Tozer
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” — A.W. Tozer
“The energy with which the believing man revolts against conformity to the image of unregenerate society will be in exact proportion to the intensity of his yearning to be like Christ.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As a Christian, you should yearn to be like Christ and conform to His image.
- Your actions should be driven by a desire to revolt against conformity to unregenerate society.
- Pursue the high calling of God in Christ Jesus with all your energy and passion.