One Test Today: Success

Let me introduce A. W. Tozer (1898-1963) to you if you've not become familiar with him. A very practical man from Western Pennsylvania, Tozer had his finger on the pulse of biblical spirituality for many years. And though he was forced to leave home at a young age, forfeiting an education, Tozer comes behind in no way spiritually. His words are as profound today as they were when he wrote them. He spoke with such prophetic authority that one wonders if he is "just outside our church door" writing about us! 

The following is a typical example taken from his many writings. See and subscribe to his daily devotion sent to your email at Literature Ministries International. I would recommend keeping Tozer's works near at hand, especially for any minister of the gospel. 

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:17)

Much that passes for Christianity today is the brief bright effort of the severed branch to bring forth its fruit in its season. But the deep laws of life are against it. Preoccupation with appearances and a corresponding neglect of the out-of-sight root of the true spiritual life are prophetic signs which go unheeded. Immediate "results" are all that matter, quick proofs of present success without a thought of next week or next year. Religious pragmatism is running wild among the orthodox. Truth is whatever works. If it gets results it is good. There is but one test for the religious leader: success. Everything is forgiven him except failure.

A tree can weather almost any storm if its root is sound, but when the fig tree which our Lord cursed "dried up from the roots" it immediately "withered away." A church that is soundly rooted cannot be destroyed, but nothing can save a church whose root is dried up. No stimulation, no advertising campaigns, no gifts of money and no beautiful edifice can bring back life to the rootless tree.  (The Root of the Righteous, 4-5)

Each devotional is culled from his many writings, and classified under 12 headings corresponding to the months of the year. If you are so inclined, you may purchase his Works on CD from Rejoice Software. J.I. Packer writes, "Reading Tozer is like drinking at an oasis in the desert." Philosopher Ravi Zacharias says "Tozer was a unique voice in his time, but the potency of his writings is timeless."

Keep Tozer handy. His voice offers a rare spiritual sanity necessary in our age of theological cacophony.