Walking in Truth
The sermon emphasizes the importance of valuing truth and acting with integrity, regardless of the cost, as followers of Christ.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of walking in truth, arguing that compromising with error to escape the burdens of righteousness is not an option for true followers of Christ. He highlights the enduring nature of sin and the human tendency to prefer falsehood, yet insists that the pursuit of truth should be paramount, regardless of the cost. Tozer asserts that Christians, who claim to follow the One who is Truth, must value and embrace truth without hesitation. He cites the Stoics' understanding of truth and moral responsibility, urging believers to focus on righteousness rather than the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the true disciple of Christ should seek to walk in truth, trusting God to guide them through any challenges that arise.
Text
Any man who would escape the heavy tax which humankind lays upon the righteous must make a satisfactory compromise with error. This is so because sin has perverted the nature of things. He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey is as true now as when it was first uttered. Little as we like to admit it, two thousand years of Christianity have not made much difference. The human race is still cursed with what Bacon called a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. Nevertheless the hazards of truth should not count in our final tally. Truth is such a royal patron that we should embrace it without regard to cost.
The cautious calculator, who tinkers with truth for fear of consequences, is no worthy servant of such a noble master.
We Christians above all people should value truth, for we profess to belong to the One who is the Truth. The Stoics who had no access to the Scriptures nevertheless had a noble concept of truth and of mans responsibility to it. When on trial for his life before a hostile and prejudiced court one of them told his accusers: A man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought only to consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong-acting the part of a good man or a bad. The true follower of Christ will not ask, If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?
Rather he will say, This is truth, God help me to walk in it, let come what may!
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Compromise
- The Importance of Truth
- The Christian's Responsibility to Truth
- We profess to belong to the One who is the Truth
- We should act with integrity, regardless of consequences
Key Quotes
“He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey” — A.W. Tozer
“A man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought only to consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong-acting the part of a good man or a bad.” — A.W. Tozer
“This is truth, God help me to walk in it, let come what may!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should be willing to walk in truth, even if it's difficult or costly.
- As Christians, we have a responsibility to act with integrity and value truth.
- We should not calculate the consequences of embracing truth, but rather consider whether our actions are right or wrong.