HOLINESS AND WORSHIP COME BEFORE POWER
By A. W. Tozer
 

. . .He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
life everlasting.               Galatians 6:8

    To teach that the filling with the Holy Spirit is given
the Christian to provide "power for service" is to teach
truth, but not the whole truth!

    Power for service is but one effect of the experience,
and I do not hesitate to say that it is the least of several
effects.  Contrary to the popular belief, "to serve this
present age" is not the Christian's first duty nor the
chief end of man.

    The primary work of the Holy Spirit is to restore the
lost soul to intimate fellowship with God through the
washing of regeneration.  To accomplish this He first
reveals Christ to the penitent heart (1 Cor. 12:3).  He
then goes on to illuminate the newborn soul with
brighter rays from the face of Christ (John 14:26; 16:13-
15) and leads the willing heart into depths and heights of
divine knowledge and communion.  Remember, we
know Christ only as the Spirit enables us and we have
only as much of Him as the Holy Spirit imparts!

     God wants worshipers before workers; indeed the
only acceptable workers are those who have learned the
lost art of worship.  It is inconceivable that a sovereign
and holy God should be so hard up for workers that He
would press into service anyone who had been
empowered regardless of his moral qualifications.  The
very stones would praise Him if the need arose and a
thousand legions of angels would leap to do His will!

     Gifts and power for service the Spirit surely desires to
impart; but holiness and spiritual worship come first!
 

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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.