FEELING RIGHT: NOT THE SAME AS BEING RIGHT

By A. W. Tozer

The lord of that servant shall come. . .and appoint him his
portion with the hypocrites. . . .  Matthew 24:50, 51

   It appears that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of
feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconvenience of
being right!

   The glaring disparity between theology and practice among
professing Christians is a more destructive evil in its effect upon
the Christian religion than communism, Romanism and liberalism
combined.

   So wide is the gulf that separates theory from practice in the
church that an inquiring stranger who chances upon both would
scarcely dream that there was any relation between them.

   An intelligent observer of our human scene who heard the Sunday
morning sermon and later watched the Sunday afternoon conduct of
those who had heard it would conclude that he had been examining
two distinct and contrary religions!

   Christians habitually weep and pray over beautiful truth, only to draw
back from that same truth when it comes to the difficult job of putting it
in practice.

   The average church simply does not dare to check its practices against
biblical precepts. It tolerates things that are diametrically opposed to the
will of God. This can be explained only by assuming a lack of integration
in the religious personality. The mind can approve and the emotions
enjoy while the will drags its feet and refuses to go along!

   And since Christ makes His appeal directly to the will - - are we not
justified in wondering whether or not these divided souls have ever
made a true commitment to the Lord?

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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.