My intention in this post is not to offend but I fear I might. I apologize in advance if this is the case. In my defence I say that the weaknesses I comment upon are as much a part of my own fallen nature as anyone else. If you feel it does not apply to you then please just regard this as a kind of confessional on my part and nothing more.
I would like to respond to Paul N F who provides a powerful critique of the falseness and double standards which permeates much of today's organized Christian assemblies. Unfortunately, A.W. Tozer's 'The Great Disparity' provides an insightful and honest assessment of many Christian walks. I am not suggesting for one moment that I am not equally susceptible to indulging in this type of self delusion that Tozer speaks of. There is a strong resistance in the flesh to draw away from the price we pay in terms of relinquishing the sovereignty over our choices. We love the fact that Jesus paid the price for our salvation but we resist the cost that it incurs. Salvation without 'repentance' is as effective for us as would have been Jesus without his crucifixion.
In Matthew 20:22 Jesus states “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink ?” Jesus makes it clear that in and of itself, being able to drink this cup will not afford you a high position in his Kingdom, but is rather a necessary requisite for salvation itself. This does not mean that all who are saved by Jesus crucifixion will be likewise crucified, but rather are prepared to give up all sovereignty over self, and allow the Father to have total ruler-ship over them, with whatever costs that en tales. In Matthew 13:45-46 the parables of the treasure and the pearls, Jesus continues in his teaching that there is a price to be paid. The Kingdom Pearl can only be acquired by way of exchange for all the other pearls we possess. This principal of equal value in exchange terms is introduced in The Old Testament. Leviticus 24, Exodus 21 and Deuteronomy 19 all agree to the principal of “a life for a life.” If you wish to acquire Kingdom life it will cost you the ownership of this carnal life. These are the only terms that God will accept by way of a trade.
I fear that many who claim ownership of the Kingdom of God have failed to hand over the pearls they posses by way of exchange. They claim the life of God yet cling to their own and refuse God to access it. In essence, they try to steal the new life that God offers through denying him fair exchange and forfeiting their old life.

I believe this exchange is an ongoing contract with God. Each day I am forced to to make choices regarding my commitment to this “Life for a life” contract I signed up to. Some days I am successful in accepting God's will in my life, and I drink from the cup that God set before Jesus. On others I fail miserably and steal back the authority and sovereignty over my life. 'My will be done' not 'Thy will be done.'

    I agree with Tozer that the visitor to many Christian assemblies will find them quite a dystopia. I know my own confusion when I was first 'born again' and looked to find a church to fellowship with and was unable to find one in which I felt at home. In fact I would go so far as to to say that in some of the more evangelical churches I felt a physical and spiritual nausea so intense I worried that the Spirit that inhabited me was indeed Holy. I could not understand why places of so-called Christian assembly could provoke such a response. Tuning into Christian TV effected a similar response. TV evangelist's selling indulgences was all too familiar a counterfeit. I grew up with such nonsense as Catholic and now it rears it's head on so called 'Spirit filled' TV programming. Billionaire Pastors flying around in private jets ! its as perverse as a Vatican state worth billions...no difference.
    Believing it to be my responsibility as a Christian not to 'forsake the assembling of myself with other believers' I persevered in attending a Pentecostal institution. Being fed a diet of guilt, Old Testament teaching, and endless alter calls meant an endless cycle of revolving door spiritual confusion. Here classes in learning how to rise through the ranks in Christian leadership were offered where all viewed each other as potential threats to their own spiritual recognition and church advancement. It was an ugly counterfeit of everything my spirit craved. I continued to seek Christian fellowship in a house church set up. I read that I could test my Christian credentials by loving the brethren but I didn't feel anything, it felt so contrived.. The kicker came when the house group leader seemed to want to greet the young women with a holy hug that looked nothing like the 'Agape' expression. At this point I decided to seek my fellowship in God and those whom God brought into contact as I walked. Nothing contrived or forced as a 'work.'
    I am not for one moment suggesting that Christians can not find true spiritual fellowship within a body of believers. All I am saying is that it was not my 'personal' experience in organized religion. It might be that I was an arrogant and unloving individual whose heart was too hardened to appreciate the love and fellowship being offered in these various institutions. I fully accept this possibility. I can accept this potential truth about my own failings. But as for me, I must be honest with myself about how I feel and trust God to lead me to a place of inward peace and outward purpose.
    The ultimate parody of the reality of God's love I encountered is the diabolic phrase “I love you in the Lord” It meant people would in fact swear an oath in God's name to something that was an outright lie. If you confront them with this truth they would metaphorically rend their tunic and pull out their beards in indignation. But the truth is I knew they never loved me and I doubt they either loved the Lord.
    I used to believe the harlot was the Roman church on the seven hills. Now I believe she is just one among many.
    Kind regards
    Ozzie