Setting Our Minds on Things Above
Christians should prioritize God's will over human opinion and focus on being children of God and followers of the Lamb.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that Christians should not be bound by societal expectations of optimism or pessimism but should focus solely on discerning God's will in every situation. He argues that true spirituality transcends popular opinions and moods, urging believers to reflect God's thoughts rather than conform to fleeting trends. Tozer highlights that a steadfast heart, fixed on trusting the Lord, may be misinterpreted as pessimism by the world, but for those who are spiritually attuned, the approval of God is what truly matters. Ultimately, the identity of being children of God and followers of Christ is the only legacy they seek to uphold.
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The notion that Christians should always be optimistic and congenial is heresy pure and simple. An ill-founded optimism may, under certain conditions, be extremely harmful. A Christian is not obliged to be either pessimistic or optimistic or glad or sad or positive or negative after a preconceived rule of philosophy. He should (and will if he is Spirit-taught) reflect the will of God in any given situation. His one concern is with God?s will. His one question in any set of circumstances is ?What does God think of this?? To him nothing else matters. What the current popular attitude may be is of no importance to him. He will approve or disapprove altogether as the written Word and the indwelling Spirit indicate. Religious vogues, passing moods or popular notions will affect him not at all. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
This rather rigid attitude will, in a world like ours, quite naturally work against the one who holds it and earn him a reputation as a pessimist. People like the man who agrees with them, even if a day later they change their minds and require him to change his, too. This inconsistency they laugh off as an amiable weakness, and why be so pious about it anyway?
Well, the sons and daughters of eternity care very little about this maypole dance of popular favor. Like the water bird on the shore of the lake at the approach of winter, they feel within them a strong instinct to migrate. They expect before long to take off on a journey and they?re not coming back soon. So whether they leave behind them a reputation for pessimism or optimism is of little consequence to them. They are, however, eager to be remembered as children of God and followers of the Lamb. That?s all that matters to them.
Sermon Outline
- The Christian's Attitude
- The World's Expectations vs. the Christian's Focus
- The Christian's Perspective on Eternity
- A Sense of Imminence and Urgency
- A Focus on Eternity and God's Will
Key Quotes
“An ill-founded optimism may, under certain conditions, be extremely harmful.” — A.W. Tozer
“His one concern is with God's will. His one question in any set of circumstances is ?What does God think of this??” — A.W. Tozer
“They are, however, eager to be remembered as children of God and followers of the Lamb. That's all that matters to them.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Christians should not be bound by a preconceived rule of optimism or pessimism, but rather reflect God's will in any situation.
- Christians should be guided by the written Word and the indwelling Spirit, rather than passing moods or popular opinions.
- Christians should focus on being children of God and followers of the Lamb, rather than worrying about their reputation in the world.