Spiritual Readiness
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparation and readiness for Jesus' return, warning that being born again is not the only prerequisite to being ready.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness for believers, asserting that being born again is not the sole requirement for meeting Jesus. He reflects on the historical perspective of the church, where spiritual preparation was seen as essential, likening it to a bride preparing for her Bridegroom. Tozer warns against complacency, suggesting that many who profess faith may not be truly ready for Christ's return. He calls for vigilance, urging believers to live, watch, and pray in anticipation of the Lord's coming.
Text
When the Bible says that God is calling a special people out of the nations to bear the name of His eternal Son, I believe it - and His name is Jesus! Our pious forefathers believed in spiritual preparation, and they said so. They saw themselves as a bride being prepared to meet the Bridegroom. They regarded this earth as the dressing room to outfit themselves for heaven. The evangelical church has come through a period when nearly everyone has believed that there is just one prerequisite to readiness: being born again. We have made being born again almost like receiving a pass to a special event-when Jesus returns we whip out the pass to prove our readiness.
Frankly, I do not think it will be like that.
I do not believe that all professed believers are automatically ready to meet the Lord. Our Savior Himself was joined by Peter and John and Paul in warning and pleading that we should live and watch and pray, so to be ready for Jesus' coming.
Sermon Outline
- The Call to Spiritual Readiness
- God's Call to a Special People
- The Importance of Spiritual Preparation
Key Quotes
“The evangelical church has come through a period when nearly everyone has believed that there is just one prerequisite to readiness: being born again.” — A.W. Tozer
“I do not think it will be like that. I do not believe that all professed believers are automatically ready to meet the Lord.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must live a life of devotion and readiness for Jesus' return.
- Being born again is a crucial step, but it is not the only prerequisite to readiness.
- We must watch and pray, living a life of watchfulness and prayer, to be prepared for Jesus' return.