BlogPost #6: Living with Tozer's God

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom ,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Prov 9:10

Preface: Beginning with some housecleaning

So, far we have established that God can be known, God wants to be known and the ultimate question is, do we want to know Him? In other generations, the idea that the knowledge of God would be something that men really weren't interested in would have been thought incredible, especially after the spiritual upheaval we call 'the Reformation'.

Of course, men in every generation turn their backs on God, choosing to go their own way, live their lives on their terms for their own selfish ends. All men are sinners, rebels against God at heart (which really means they rebel against His right to rule their lives). But, since the early to mid-1800's, a much more subtle, sophisticated rebellion has been emerging, one which has planted the seed of doubt as to whether God even exists, much less exerts any influence on lives or planets.

From the French Enlightenment to Darwin's Evolution to Germany's attack on the veracity and authority of the Bible, two hundred years have passed and we have now come to a generation of young people who don't even consider what were once called the 'eternal questions' ('who is God', 'why are we here', 'what is the purpose of life') and, worse, they don't understand why anyone else would either. They truly live in a world without the knowledge of God. Many think that 'God' belongs to some outdated, obsolete and discredited theory of existence. They honestly believe we've evolved past that. That's scary!

The "Missing Link": Worship

I want to try to restore something that has been lost in Tozer's book. In the earliest editions, just before the Preface of the current editions (before chapter 1 in earlier editions) a quote from Proverbs, Chapter 10, verse 9 appeared. That quote appears at the top of this page. [Stop and read it again].

I don't know whether some editor was trying to save space or just didn't see the relevance of the verse, but it truly is the heart of Tozer's motivation for writing the book. If you have bought the book, please stop now and write this verse on the opposing page to the Preface of the book. It belongs there, memorize it.

Tozer published this book just two years before he went to be with the Lord. It was intended to enable sincere Christians to know who God is. But, to what end? That they might worship Him. Tozer believed that the worship of God and His Son was the pinnacle and the essence of the Christian experience...yet few did it. Why? To put it in simple terms, God just wasn't real to them. But, why?

First, let's ask an even more basic question. What is worship? What do you worship today? The word is used in many contexts, often without reference to God. Originally, it was a contraction of two words, 'worth' + 'ship'. The key element is that it was a formal acknowledgment of the worth or value of a person. It could be used of a king or a pope or, of course, God. The point is, it was always reserved for those of the highest apparent worth or value.

It is also worth noting that the idea of giving worship to kings and popes comes from the belief that the power of both derives from God. The pope being the supposed agent of God on earth and kings ruled by 'divine right' derived from God Himself. In other words, kings and popes claim some of the glory that is due to God, He is the source of their power. They derive it from Him. Whether this is true or right is a different discussion. We don't have to agree to understand it. This is the way millions of people have understood it for thousands of years. And, the corollary to that is that if you oppose king or pope, you're opposing God! This was enormously empowering to those who ruled, whether church or state. The people often feared them as much as they feared God.

The point is, the glory or the worth is derived from God Himself. We see kings and popes in all their pomp and majesty and we are awed. The sights and sounds are truly majestic and awe-inspiring. According to Tozer, it is this sense of awe, power and majesty of God that the Church has lost. Is he right? Is it true? Does it really matter? If you have any sense of the waning power and influence of the Church (especially in America), then you know these are not idle questions.

'The Fear of the LORD is the beginning (point) of wisdom' 

No, it really doesn't matter...unless, of course, God, the 'Creator of Heaven and Earth'- the God of the Bible is real! If that's the case, then our failure to worship Him, to acknowledge His worth could be catastrophic. Think back throughout history, what happened to those who rebelled and/or refused to acknowledge the authority and worth of their kings, queens and popes. It often cost them their heads! At the very least their lands and privileges were lost. Is the eternal God (to whom the whole earth belongs...Ps 25) to be viewed as requiring less honor? What's wrong with this picture?

Tozer chose the theme verse for this book carefully. True knowledge of the one, true and living God leads to 'the fear of the Lord'. Not a cowering, terrorized fear as of a tyrant or despot, but a reverential, awe-inspired fear wrought from the right understanding of the greatness of who He is. And this is just the beginning point of knowing God...fortunately, we'll have eternity to fill in the 'black holes'.

Make no mistake, that intimate, personal 'knowledge' will include His right to impose His will on us (He is 'God Almighty') and the righteous claim to rule our lives and judge those who rebel against Him.

But, it also includes the compassionate, long-suffering and devoted 'Father' who mourns for His wayward child and will go to any lengths to reclaim Him, willing to pay the ultimate price. He is always both. He is always consistent and faithful to His character.

But, He will not sacrifice the integrity of His character and being to do it. He will accomplish the goal and still maintain His righteous character. As the Bible puts it, 'His love will meet His righteousness'. This was accomplished for us in the death of 'His only begotten Son', given because He 'loved us'. Few understand this as well as Charles Wesley when he penned his famous hymn, putting into words the unspoken concern of multitudes:

'And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood!

Died He for me who caused His pain,

For me who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou my God shouldst die for me?'

In a future lesson, we talk about what that 'love' is like, it's so unique that the N.T. writers had to create a new word to describe it. What we need to see now is that before we can ever 'love' God or receive His love, we need to experience the 'fear of the Lord'. The biblical 'fear' that leads to wisdom, eternal wisdom.

This is why Tozer begins his book declaring that 'the most important thing about any person is the thoughts that come into our minds when we think about God'. If we don't get it right at the beginning, we'll always be missing the mark.

The question we need to ask ourselves is whether we have that sense of the 'awesomeness' of God? Do we let the majesty of who He is take root by faith in our minds and souls? Has the 'fear of the Lord' become for us the gateway into the 'knowledge of the Holy (one)'? If not, we're missing the best He offers.

Make sure to put Proverbs 10:9 in your book, as Tozer knew so well, it's the key.

Think about it...until next time...

If you think this has value...pass it on...EE

BlogPost #5: Living with Tozer's God

"This is the covenant that I will make...after those days, I will be their God, and they

shall be my people...for ALL will KNOW ME.” Heb 8:10-11

Who would you most like to know? (Pt. 2)

 Last time we finished thinking about an exercise to help you begin thinking about who God is in terms that are more natural and practical than we might normally do. I hope you took the time to think about what three people you would most like to know. Not just meet, but really get to know. And I hope you used the opportunity to ask your children the same question. The answers and the reasons why will likely give you some great 'launch pad' opportunities to what's going on inside their heads and, more importantly, their hearts.

Just for fun, I'll share my 'big three'. I chose one from three areas that play major roles in my life. First, from the 'Christian' realm, Billy Graham. This was a real toss-up between Graham and Martin Lloyd- Jones. When I want to know what a Scripture passage means, I want a man I know is truly 'Spirit-enlightened'. MLJ is the one I look to first. If he has spoken or written on it, I want to know what he sees. I chose Graham for his 'presence', more accurately 'His Presence'. What do I mean?

About 30 years ago I attended a BG 'school of the prophets' during a crusade he held in Kansas City. These were daily meetings that were held in churches for the encouragement of local pastors as the 'prep' work for the crusades were going on. It was the first time I'd attended one of these meetings. There were two speakers that morning. One was a very gifted Baptist pastor who led a very large church and was very well respected. He was very impressive...and truly a good man. He led off the meeting.

Then Dr. Graham got up to speak. It wasn't what he said, it was the 'presence' of the man that was awe-inspiring. As he began to speak, it was like the 'presence of God' was trying to fit into that church building...and it was just too small! It was overwhelming and I have never forgotten it. I would like to know the path he followed to get that close to God. I would like to know him.

The second man I'd like to know is Bobby Jones. If you're a golfer, enough said. If you're not, it would take too long to explain it.

The third man is Dr. Michael Burry. You likely don't know his name, but he was one of the few investor 'gurus' who predicted the demise of the housing/foreclosure crisis of 2008. His meticulous research uncovered the obvious fact that the boom would not last. He sees what others don't see. He also made his investors billions of dollars. I would like to learn how he sees things and know how he thinks.

Okay...now that you have your 'three', what happens next? How would it likely have to happen?

Beyond the 'Dream Stage'

To go beyond just the 'dream' stage, what would have to happen? Of course, the person we desire to know would have to demonstrate a willingness to have a relationship with us. How would they do this? Well, they might just say, "Would you like to get together and....?". Or, they might say something like 'I'm going to do this _____, would you like to come along and join me?".

It's most often in the 'doing things together' that you get to know people best. Their true 'value' or greatness usually comes out in the context of doing whatever it is that makes them great. But, it's also important to see 'behind the curtain'. To really get to know them, you need some understanding of why they are the way they are. What makes them 'tick'? What gets them up in the morning? What's their passion? It's no different with God...or His Son.

When the men who would later be chosen as His disciples first saw Jesus, they realized there was something special about Him. The disciples wanted to know Jesus, what made Him 'tick'? How did He do what He did? More than once, they had to ask themselves, 'Who is this person?'.

How did Jesus respond? He chose twelve men to be with Him. They spent the next three years getting to know Him just like they would anyone else: learning His ways, His passions, His motives. And, eventually, they saw who He really was, God, in human form.

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'He chose twelve men to be with Him. They spent the next three years getting

to know Him just like they would anyone else: learning His ways, His passions,

His motives. And, eventually, they saw who He really was, God, in human form.'

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The Relationship Jesus Offers?

How did the Lord Jesus Christ let the disciples (and all of us eventually) know that a personal relationship with Him was possible? (And remember, as the Scriptures reveal it, 'he who has seen Me has seen the Father')... therefore, to know Jesus is to know God.

Jesus' approach was quite simple. First, He 'called' them. His 'call' was simple. 'Come to Me', 'Follow Me'. The key to 'knowing' Him would be to 'follow Him'. Would they do that? Surely, like all of us, they had pressing obligations and responsibilities, bills to pay, children to raise, PTA meetings to attend, nets to mend, groceries to grow...you get the picture. But, He said, 'Follow Me'.  These men were chosen, the question now was, will they follow Him? The Bible records the answer, they 'left all to follow Him'. What did they get? They got to know Him!

God said to His people..."You shall seek Me and you shall find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." And again in the N.T., "He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Many never seem to 'get it'. If you're 'seeking Him', then He is the prize you seek! Intimacy with God comes with diligent seeking. If you're seeking Him to get something else, this is the textbook definition of idolatry. Not a smart move!

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Many never seem to 'get it'. If you're 'seeking Him', then He is

the prize you seek! Intimacy with God comes with diligent seeking.

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In real life, does something which is truly 'precious' ever come cheap? Not usually. Do we think the opportunity to know God is going to be a function of chance, like you just got 'lucky'? No. It's always a function of responding in faith/trust in what He says and obedience to it in the circumstances and opportunities which God gives us to experience His involvement in our lives. This is New Testament Christianity. It's not an organization, it's a faith/trust union.

According to the Apostle Paul, to have vital, living intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus is of 'surpassing value', of such value it makes all other opportunities in life 'rubbish' (i.e. of no value) by comparison. To know Jesus Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, to know that He was willing to give His life for one who was a devoted enemy and persecutor of all that He died for, that He still loved Paul and desired to be His intimate friend...it was a life-changing moment for Paul...and we still reap the rewards of his blessings. 
 

The question is, do we see the same value in Him? Do we see Him of the same worth as Paul did? Do we want to? Do we care? What are we willing to sacrifice in order to have this kind of intimate knowledge of Him? To have the opportunity of a close personal friendship with the Son of the living God? Do we really want that?

One of the primary blessings of the New Covenant which Christ secured for us was the divine promise that those who put their whole-hearted trust in Christ for salvation would 'know God' and be His special people. This promise occurs in both Old and New Testaments. First, to Israel, then to the Church. The idea of an intimate relationship with God, living in His very presence (especially if it's available to literally anyone!) would be a life-altering prospect. Even to those with an intimate knowledge of the O.T., this thought would be considered heretical at best. The Jewish religion simply didn't allow for that possibility. The truth is, this was God's plan all along. In a real sense, He wants to go back to Eden.

The Opportunity For Us: 'BFF'

Yes, it stands for 'best friends forever'. It's become a trite phrase in modern culture, but the idea is really quite appealing. It encompasses so many precious elements: love, loyalty, intimacy, companionship, together through 'good times and bad'. When you apply that concept to an intimate relationship with God, the opportunity is truly mind-boggling. Not only is forgiveness, cleansing and renewal possible, the door is open to knowing Him intimately, becoming a friend who will be closer than a brother, a counselor who can share the joys and sorrows because He can say, as we often do, 'been there, done that' (only in His case, He would say, 'Been there, overcame that'). He knows who we are (better than we do including all the 'hidden' things) and, in spite of all that, He offers what many talk about today, but none can deliver. He alone can and wants to be our 'best friend  forever'.

It's time to launch into Tozer's little gem. We'll begin where he does. If we're going to rise to the heights, we need to make sure the foundation is solid. Right thinking about God is essential to knowing God.

Ask yourself this question: What thoughts come into your mind when you think about God?

Think about it...until next time...