What's Happened to Morality?

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5)

The question being discussed by many these days - why religion is increasing and morality slipping, all at the same time - finds it answer in the error of religious intellectualism. Men have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.

The text alone will not elevate the moral life. To become morally effective, the truth must be accompanied by a mystic element, the very element supplied by the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit will not be banished to a footnote without taking terrible vengeance against His banishers.

The mysterious presence of the Spirit is vitally necessary if we are to avoid the pitfalls of religion. As the fiery pillar led Israel through the wilderness, so the Spirit of truth must lead us all our journey though. One text alone could improve things mightily for us if we would but obey it: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding".

Evangelical obedience expresses not merely the form, but the power of godliness. God neither requires nor will accept obedience which does not spontaneously flow from supreme love to Himself.

~A. W. Tozer~

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Humility Invaded By the Presence

"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life" (Proverbs 22:4)

Bring your life into line morally so that God can make it holy; then bring your spiritual life into line that God may settle upon you with the Holy Spirit - with that quality of the Wonderful and Mysterious and the Divine.

You do not cultivate it and you do not even know it, but it is there and it is this quality of humility invaded by the Presence of God which the church of our day lacks. Oh, that we might yearn for the knowledge and Presence of God in our lives from moment to moment, so that without human cultivation and without toilsome seeking there would come upon us this enduement that gives meaning to our witness! It is a sweet and radiant fragrance and I suggest that in some of our churches it may be strongly sensed and felt.

O God, let Thy glory be revealed once more to men: through me if it please Thee, or without me or apart from me, it matters not. Restore Thy Church to the place of moral beauty that becomes her as the Bride of Christ: through me, or apart from me; only let this prayer be answered. O God, honor whom Thou wilt. Let me be used or overlooked or ignored or forgotten. Amen

~A. W. Tozer~