Automatic Saints

[Chad]

AUTOMATIC SAINTS?
A.W. Tozer

Not everyone agrees with me that full qualification for eternity is not instant or automatic or painless. I can only hope that you are wise enough, desirous enough and spiritual enough to face up to the truth that every day is another day of spiritual preparation, another day of testing and discipline with our heavenly destination in mind. I hope, too, that you may begin to understand why many evangelical churches are in such a mess.

It has become popular to preach a painless Christianity and automatic saintliness. It has become a part of our "instant" culture-"just pour a little water on it, stir mildly, pick up a gospel tract, and you are on your Christian way!" "Lo," we are told, "this is Bible Christianity!,' "It is nothing of the sort!" To depend upon that kind of a formula is to experience only the outer fringe, the edge of what Christianity really is. For when the new birth is real and the wonder of regeneration has taken place, then comes the lifetime of preparation with the guidance of the Holy Spirit!

 

[jari]

Hello Chad.
Is this to say you must become holy in order to be saved? And if so can this be backed up with scripture?

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Hello Chad.
Is this to say you must become holy in order to be saved? And if so can this be backed up with scripture?

As I've said in other threads, I believe that salvation is both an event and a process of developing a relationship with God, aka holiness. (Php :12-13, Eph 2:8-10).

SLE

 

[David777]

Surprising.

I would definitely disagree with Tozer.

Christianity is a walk in the park compared with the agony i have seen friends suffer from drug abuse, alcohol abuse, depression, etc.

Do you know of the agony and anxiety of not knowing there is a loving God only death at some point with no meaning. No answers to life only despair and loneliness in the inner man. No peace, joy or stillness from troubling thoughts.

Losing loved ones and only feeling sadness and anger. Watching people die in agony from cancer.

Christians do not lose anything they only ever gain all, wake up.

When i witness to people it is a message of forgiveness and freedom, eternal life and joy.
Certainly not about the struggles a more mature Christian will face. The Gospel is about Jesus Christ and His redemption for the lost. The struggles and ordeals are nothing compared with eternal life with Jesus. More precisley struggles are not really struggles but usually caused by mans refusal to obey Jesus.

Joy and peace in the Holy Spirit, yes you can have that right now. It is yours for eternity, come to Jesus today, you lose nothing in comparison with knowing the author of life. Your Christian life is God's responsibility, the Church is God's responsibility not mine.

I think Tozer needs to live as a non Christian for a period of time.

 

[agua]

I agree with Tozer. I don't think he is comparing the trials of the Christian and the non, but is making a point of the constant and life long processes we go through. It takes much work from God to refine us and we can be grateful He only proceeds as we can handle. I think Tozer is suggesting every Christian will face trials. It doesn't negate the peace we have knowing and trusting in our destination.

 

[jari]

As I've said in other threads, I believe that salvation is both an event and a process of developing a relationship with God, aka holiness. (Php :12-13, Eph 2:8-10).

SLE

How did the thief at the cross get saved then?

 

[WantToKnowHim]

In my own opinion Tozer was quite right...

In any way there will be a sacrifice (at first) in order to keep the Holy Spirit working in our lives. I think working with the Holy Spirit is like a thing to be nurtured for the rest of your life, until God take our lives back..In my own experience, it was very hard to give up the things I wanted, and most of this is worldly. As of now I am still practicing to sacrifice other "worldly wants".

 

[WantToKnowHim]

How did the thief at the cross get saved then?

I think he was saved because his soul already repents in his wrongdoing, and he believed that Jesus is the only way for his soul to be saved.

I think he is also not afraid of worldly death:
Luke 23:40-43

Though I cannot be sure..:I

 

[SpiritLedEd]

How did the thief at the cross get saved then?

The repentant thief was indeed saved just before he died and he did indeed go to Paradise. But, for those of us who live on after being saved there is a new life that God wants us to live in the power of the Spirit that brings glory to Him and promotes His kingdom. (see Eph 2:8-10)

SLE

 

[David777]

Further.

Yes SpiritLed the thief was indeed set free for eternal life. Instant salvation, i wonder how Tozer explains this? No spiritual sacrifice necessary.

Living in the Holy Spirit is tranquil and joyous, what sacrifice?

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Living in the Holy Spirit is tranquil and joyous, what sacrifice?

I don't know about you, David, but my walk with God has been anything but tranquil what with my health issues, family issues, and sometimes mentoring others as they grow toward faith in God.

SLE

 

[stephen]

On three occasions the bible declares that 'Salvation is of the Lord'


My signature will complete my thoughts......