THE SECRET AND MYSTERIOUS WORKING OF GOD

By A. W. Tozer

        Truly, the way of man is not in himself, and that is what the Holy Ghost has said. Only Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, is enough.
 

        We have asked why it was only Nicodemus who came.  We could ask why Lydia's heart responded while many other women of her day felt no response to Christ's claims. Why did Nathanael respond to the appeal of Jesus on that day when so many others
were either indifferent or filled with hatred?

        I do believe in that secret and mysterious working of God in the human breast, deep within the beings of men and women.

        I think the same questions could be raised of my testimony of finding the forgiving and converting grace of God in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

        There was something in the 'line' from which I came that was almost antireligion. Morality to a certain level -- but not religious.  Attitudes that were cold, earthy, profane. This I must say of both my father and my  mother.  High human standards, morality; but completely without any thought of God.  God might as well not have existed. My parents appeared to be without a spark of desire after God.

        Can you tell me why, then, at the age of 17, as a boy surrounded by unbelief, 100 percent, I could find my way to my mother's attic, kneel on my knees and give my heart and life in committal to Jesus Christ? Can you tell me how I could be thoroughly and completely converted without help from anyone on the outside? In my case when I came in faith to Jesus Christ there was not a single human being to help.  There was nobody with a marked New Testament showing me how easy it is. There was no friend placing an arm over my shoulder to pray beside me.

        I cannot answer the questions of "Why?"  I can only testify that my conversion to Jesus Christ was as real as any man's conversion has ever been.  You tell me why. I do not know why.  I can only say that I know there is such a thing as the secret working of God in the human being who has a sensitivity to hear the call of God.
 

        Oh man, if you feel the tug of God in your breast, what a happy man you should be. What a marvelous and mysterious privilege, if you feel the inner tug of God in your bosom and hear the secret whisper that not many men hear; to be on God's prospect
list, to be on God's active list for inner working.
        My fellow man, do something about it.  Remember, a thousand men work where you work; and perhaps you are the only one that feels that tug.  God yearns over them all, but they do not listen.  They will not hear and theykill it within them.

       If it is still alive and tugging at your heart, thank God, and follow the light." Come every soul –– by sin oppressed, there's mercy with the Lord."

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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.