The Christian Message: Prophetic,
Not Diplomatic

By A. W. Tozer

For Christ sent me. . .to preach the gospel:
not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of
Christ should be made of none effect.
First Corinthians 1:17

    We who witness and proclaim the gospel must not
think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to
establish good will between Christ and the world.

    We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to
make Christ acceptable to big business, the press,
modern education, or the world of sports.

    We are not diplomats, but prophets, and our message
is not a compromise, but an ultimatum!

    God offers life, but not an improved old life.  The life
He offers is life out of death.  It stands always on the
far side of the cross.  Whoever would possess it must
pass under the rod.  He must repudiate himself and
concur in God's just sentence against him.

    What does this mean to the individual, the condemned
man who would find life in Christ Jesus?  How can this
theology be translated into life?

    Simply, he must repent and believe.  He must forsake
his sins and then go on to forsake himself.

    Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing.

    Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let
him bow his head before the stroke of God's stern
displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.

    Having done this, let him gaze with simple trust upon
the risen Saviour, and from Him will come life and
rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that ended
the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner;
and the power that raised Christ from the dead now
raises him to a new life along with Christ!

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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.