The average Christian is so cold and so contented with His wretched condition that there is no vacuum of desire into which the blessed Spirit can rush in satisfying fullness.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how complacency can hinder spiritual growth and fulfillment.
Aiden Wilson Tozer's quote reflects on the state of many Christians who, despite their struggles or dissatisfaction, become too comfortable in their spiritual stagnation. This complacency leaves no room for the Holy Spirit to fill them with the richness and satisfaction that comes from a deeper relationship with God. In essence, it points out that a longing for spiritual fulfillment can lead to a transformative experience, while contentment with mediocrity prevents such growth.
In practice
During a sermon on spiritual growth, a pastor might reference this quote to encourage the congregation to seek a deeper relationship with God.
Peace of heart that is won by refusing to bear the common yoke of human sympathy is a peace unworthy of a Christian. To seek tranquility by stopping our ears to the cries of human pain is to make ourselves not Christian but a kind of degenerate stoic having no relation either to stoicism or Christianity.
Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. If we understand our first and sole duty to consist of loving God supremely and loving everyone, even our enemies, for God's dear sake, then we can enjoy spiritual tranquility under every circumstance.
The church that can't worship must be entertained. And leaders who can't lead a church to worship must provide the entertainment.
Before the Christian Church goes into eclipse anywhere there must first be a corrupting of her simple basic theology. She simply gets a wrong answer to the question, βWhat is God like?β and goes on from there. Though she may continue to cling to a sound nominal creed, her practical working creed has become false. The masses of her adherents come to believe that God is different from what He actually is; and that is heresy of the most insidious and deadly kind
People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks: 1. they are facing only one direction, 2. they can never turn back, and 3. they no longer have plans of their own.
Nothing that God has ever said about Himself will be modified; nothing the inspired prophets and apostles have said about Him will be rescinded. His immutability guarantees this.
As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It's a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don't know who you are and why you are here.
When the gospel is at stake, everything is at stake.
We're children. We're supposed to be childish.
Reality is a question of perspective.
In fighting terror, you cannot let it interfere with the normal life of civilians in Israel.
We wait. We are bored. (He throws up his hand.) No, don't protest, we are bored to death, there's no denying it. Good. A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste. Come, let's get to work! (He advances towards the heap, stops in his stride.) In an instant all will vanish and we'll be alone more, in the midst of nothingness!
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