Sunday, November 24, 2013

What's Happened to Morality?

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5)

The question being discussed by many these days - why religion is increasing and morality slipping, all at the same time - find its answer in the error of religious intellectualism. Men have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.

The text alone will not elevate the moral life. To become morally effective, the truth must be accompanied by a mystic element, the very element supplied by the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit will not be banished to a footnote without taking terrible vengeance against His banishers.

The mysterious presence of the Spirit is vitally necessary if we are to avoid the pitfalls of religion. As the fiery pillar led Israel through the wilderness, so the Spirit of Truth must lead us all our journey through. One text alone could improve things mightily for us if we would but obey it: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

Evangelical obedience expresses not merely the form, but the power of godliness. God neither requires nor will accept obedience which does not spontaneously flow from supreme love to Himself.

~A. W. Tozer~


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