Click on the links to navigate through this page. Chapter Thirty-One Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One We had a small group for our get together on Sunday, but we still had a good discussion. Our next local meeting is September 9. We’ll bring our own lunches and discuss chapters 31 thru 34. Chapter 31 – The Perils of Too Much Liberty This editorial was published on July 1, 1959 p. 128: "Freedom is liberty within bounds". We are either free from sin, or free to sin. One leads to everlasting life, the other leads to everlasting destruction. Romans 6:20-22: "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. " p. 130 "Every man in a free society must decide whether he will exploit his liberty or curtail it for intelligent and moral ends." We need to be self-controlled. While we’re children, our parents curtail our liberty, but as adults, we need to do it ourselves and in doing so, promote the gospel. What would Tozer have written just 10 years later, during 1969? A couple of things that happened in July 1969: July 1. Sale of pictorial pornography (movies and photographs) legalized in Denmark. July 18. U.S. senator Edward Kennedy and his secretary Mary Jo Kopechne plunge off Chappaquiddick bridge. The secretary is killed in the crash and the senator waits for more than 24 hours before reporting the accident. And things keep sliding downhill… Pray for Revival. In Christ, Lisa This was an excellent chapter. It articulated a hard-to-define quality: true liberty isn't complete freedom. It sounds like such a paradox, but it really isn't. Meghan & I discussed this very topic last year during school, so I think I will have her read this chapter (if I remember). What else is there to say? Tozer did such a thorough job! Bethany This was an enlightening chapter. My prayer would be that more churches would address the content in this chapter. I especially liked Tozer's statement bottom of page 128 and top of page 129. "True Christian liberty never sets us free to indulge our lusts or to follow our fallen impulses." "The desire for unqualified freedom caused the fall of Lucifer and wrought the destruction of the angels that sinned. These sought freedom to do as they willed, and to get it they threw away the beautiful liberty that meant freedom to do the will of God. And the human race followed them in their tragic moral blunder." The last paragraph on p. 129 states that "Unqualified freedom in any area of human life is deadly." I am reminded of a children's book that told about the little train that wanted to be free to do as it pleased and so it jumped the tracks. How sad that little train never got anywhere. As stated on page 130 in the middle paragraph. "The tramp is freer than the president or king, but his freedom is his undoing." Tozer also makes an excellent conclusion on p.131 in the middle... "Christianity is the religion of freedom and democracy is freedom in organized society, but if we continue to misunderstand this freedom we may soon have neither Christianity or democracy." The last paragraph states a truth we must hear more often... "The ideal Christian is one who knows he is free to do as he will and wills to be a servant. This is the path Christ took; blessed is the man who follows Him." I remember another story about a slave who was for sale and purchased by a rich plantation owner. When the plantation owner faced the slave and told the slave he was free. The slave was so overjoyed and thankful he told the man who purchased him ... "I will serve you for the rest of my life." Linda S. Wow--This chapter was well written! I like the point Tozer made that as children of God, we are free and we walk at liberty BECAUSE CHRIST DIED IN OUR PLACE (pg 130) "The ideal Christian is one who knows he is free to do as he wills and wills to be a servant. This is the path Christ took; blessed is the man who follows Him." pg 132--A-MEN Sandra To add to Sandra's comments (and Tozer's), I love the NLT version of 2 Thessalonians 1:11 May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. My faith prompts me to be a servant; I pray for His power to live a life of servanthood. Heather AMEN!!!!!!!! I think that says it all! Bethany Chapter Thirty-Two Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One This is a bit early, but I'll be away next week. Feel free to comment on chapters 31 and 32 while I'm gone! Chapter 32 -- The days of Our Years This was first published on December 30, 1959 This chapter was a good reminder of how short our life is and how we must treat each day as precious. Those of you who come to Wednesday night prayer meeting know that the 21 year old son of one of my co-workers passed away less than 2 weeks ago. I'm sure he felt that he had years ahead of him. His death was certainly a surprise to his parents. James 4:13-15 says: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." How would our lives change, if we lived each day as if it were our last? Would we "redeem the time" as we're told to do in Ephesians 5:16? Even if today is not our last, we are told that we will be giving an account to God (Romans 14:12). In light of this, think of one thing that you can do differently in your life to "redeem the time". For me, this week will be one of strengthening the ties between the women in my family. I'm looking forward to it! In Christ, Lisa What a good reminder in this chapter 32 regarding the brevity of our physical life and truly as stated in James 4 "it is a vapour" compared to eternity. We must live with an eternal perspective. What a sober warning on page 134 that we are accountable to God for our earthly existence. After quoting 2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" Tozer mentions in the next paragraph, "At that day there will be no hiding in the crowd. Each one will come carrying his own book of history under his arm." Certainly the prayer from Psalm 90:12 on page 135 is a necessary part of each day. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Yes, as Tozer goes on to say our days which are a gift of God are often unappreciated. I also like the last stanza of the hymn written by Charles Wesley...(p.137) "My remnant of days I spend in His praise, Who died the whole earth to redeem: Be they many or few, my days are His due, And they are all devoted to HIM." I just started reading a book entitled THE FALL FEASTS OF ISRAEL by Mitch and Zhava Glaser. The first paragraph had an interesting thought I never pondered... "HE created time-the sequence of events-to serve as an arena where the heavenly meets the temporal, where God meets man. By His act of creation The Sovereign of eternity was also crowned the Lord of time.." Linda S. This chapter was a good reminder of how precious time is and how quickly it passes. I especially like the way Tozer expressed the matter on p. 134-135. After stating that we spend about 2,920 hours for sleep in a year and about the same number for work, he goes on, "An equal number has been given us to spend in reverent preparation for the moment when days and years shall cease and time shall be no more." Reverent preparation - I never heard it put that way. I pray that I would be more conscious about all of this. Gayle Chapter 32 The Days of our Years This was a good chapter for me to read and God sent it at the right time. I was feeling a little sorry for myself here of late as things have not been going very well for me. Then Wednesday night at the bible study 2 weeks ago I put my foot in my mouth. Yes it does fit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So God and I had a long talk and we came to the conclusion that all I could do would be to move forward from today and then I read this chapter. Tozer is right. We need to make the most of each day. We only get each day once, so why waste it. So that is my new goal. To make the most of each day. To find the good in each day and be happy with what I find. To look at the good in people and not comment on the bad. To start each day anew and not drag yesterday into the picture. To keep my focus on God and all that he does for me each day. To do good when I see an opening for it. I am not afraid of God's judgement, I know I am going to heaven. Alot of my life is going to go up in smoke since I was saved so late. But I can try my best not to waste the rest of my life. I will just keep trying to become the person God wants me to be. AMEN Linda K. Chapter Thirty-Three Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One Don't forget, our next local meeting is 2 weeks from today on September 9. Chapter 33 -- On Going Through School Without Learning Anything This was first published on June 29, 1960 At least, after reading this chapter, I know I'm not the only one who has to have the same lessons over and over again! ;-) I don't agree with Tozer that the Israelites have been "rejected outright" (p. 139). I believe that God will keep his promises to Abraham, and that 144,000 Israelites will gathered together at the last days (Revelation 7:4-8). I do agree with Tozer that we're making the same mistakes that the Israelites did. It's so easy for one generation to forget the lessons learned by the previous generation. I believe it was Billy Graham that said, "God has no grandchildren". We must grow in our own faith, and not depend on those who have gone before us. This is what distresses me so much about our young people at Grace. I see them drifting along, and not taking ownership of their faith. How do we encourage the next generation to be on fire for the Lord? I'd love to hear your comments. In Christ, Lisa This is what distresses me so much about our young people at Grace. I see them drifting along, and not taking ownership of their faith. yes, This distresses me also. ..but I have to wonder....what kind of an example am I? do they drift along, because they the same in me? that makes me shudder. How do we encourage the next generation to be on fire for the Lord? Not sure, I suppose if there was an easy answer it would be getting done!! Like I said above, am I on FIRE for the LORD? that they would want THE SAME, for their lives?? What kind of an example am I? I'd love to hear your comments. I spent a few hours with a godly older woman the other night. She has 5 children and numerous grandchildren. In fact, one of her grandchildren was baptized with me. She told me only ONE of all the children/grandchildren are on fire for the Lord. Yet I know both she and her husband pray diligently. I asked her if there is an evident ingredient in that grandchild that she sees, that the others do not possess. She said she was a rebellious child, but now she has a great love for Christ. I for one has to learn by experience. I can read all I want about it, or be warned about it, but to really "take ownership" of a concept, I have to learn it by experience. I know it is sad that we have to learn and relearn things, like the Israelites and the early church...BUT I DO THANK GOD THAT HE IN HIS MERCY DOES PAINSTAIKINGLY TAKE THE TIME to teach us by experience. Renee' Just the title of the chapter strikes fear in the heart of this homeschooling mom!! I'm pouring out my life's blood, sweat & tears to make sure my kids learn, and find it VERY disheartening when they don't seem to be absorbing anything. I wonder if that's how God feels when I make the same mistakes over and over again because I didn't learn the lesson the first time. OUCH!!!!! That got me thinking and praying for my own heart, as well as my childrens'. Bethany That got me thinking and praying for my own heart, as well as my childrens'. there have been VERY FEW times that I prayed for my kids about something and did not find that I too, NEED the same work done with myself. - Renee' I'm not saying that I have all the answers, but I do feel that Tozer was a little harsh here. Not all of us have children who are rebellious or deadbeat Christians. And I may not learn my lessons the first time through, but I hope I am learning and growing in grace, always moving forward, even if slowly. Now that sounds like pride, which I don't mean it to be, but let's be encouraging each other in our Christian growth, not just criticize. I was in Russia with a couple of second generation Christians who were definitely on fire for the Lord. My own son seems to be a missionary. Sandra, are your or Ralph's parents Christians? Anyone else disagree with Tozer here? Heather Chapter 33 Going through school without learning anything. Many Christians learn nothing because they chose not to. It is just too much trouble. Then there are christians like me who study and learn and say that is how I am going to do this from now on. And then I forget or back slide and have to learn it over again. I agree with Tozer that we learn nothing from history. The world would be in alot better shape if we did. I find we keep making the same mistakes that the people in the bible did. We read it, we study it, but why must we do it to understand it. But I think if we try to do better by studying and learning and doing classes with other christians it is easier for us to get back on track sooner. We want that better life for ourselves to honor God. Sometimes I wonder WHY God created us. Of all the wonderful things he made, we are his biggest disappointment. Linda K. I didn't take away the same attitude from Tozer that you did. I didn't think that he was saying that all children of Christian parents are rebellious or deadbeats. I have seen where children who grew up in Christian households believe, but since they've never had to question their beliefs, as soon as they run into skepticism or people with differing faith, they fall away. They don't know what they believe, or why they believe it. Sarah's run into this with some of the Reformed Presbyterian kids at Geneva. We can also look at various protestant denominations throughout history. Take, for example, the Methodists. During Wesley's time, they were on fire for the Lord and were a result of the Great Awakening. Have you been in a United Methodist Church lately? The only fire is the candles at the front of the church. Maybe they didn't fall away within one generation, but the whole process didn't take too long. I think what we can take away from this chapter is that we can't become complacent in our walk, we need to keep growing. We also need to teach our children, and lead by example, so that they take ownership of their faith and become christians who grow in their walk. Lisa As I sat and read both chapter 32 and chapter 33, I looked at my own life and the lives of those around me. Life is but a vapor and so many times we get so wrapped up in what we need to get done that we neglect what really matters. We need to make the most of each day by not only doing, but seeking to glorify the Lord and shine His love as we do! As Tozer states on pg.135 , each day is an unearned bonus. And on 136 he says, "...there is much that the years have to teach us." We are more than students..we are believers...and the object of our faith is what makes the difference! It is our responsibility like Lisa said, that we grow in our faith. Nobody is perfect and we will make mistakes--that is part of the learning process. How do we encourage the next generation to be on fire for the Lord???? HMMMM I think of Moses, as he taught the Israelites and encouraged them to obey and remember in Deut. 4-- "And now, Israel, listen carefully to these laws and regulations that I am about to teach you... You must obey these laws and regulations... The Lord my God gave them to me and commanded me to pass them on to you. If you obey them carefully, you will display your wisdom and intelligence to the surrounding nations. When they hear about these laws, they will exclaim, 'What other nation is as wise and prudent as this!' ... "But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren." The last phrase....be sure to pass them on... Moses did his part, he encouraged them and told them the benefits; it was up to them to obey and remember. That is true of us as well. We need to remember all we have been taught--it is our responsibility not to drift--then share with our children what the Lord has done. Our example should be one that encourages them. I totally agree with Heather that not all of us have rebellious or deadbeat kids. We need to look to the second/third generation Christians who DO serve the Lord! Lets pray that we do our best to glorify the Lord and live a life pleasing to Him, as well as lead our children to do the same! P.S. Yes Heather, my parents were both Christians, and Ralph's mom was a believer as well. His dad accepted the Lord when Ralph was a teenager. We praise God for the Christian upbringing He provided us with! Sandra Chapter Thirty-Four Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One The Deadliest Sins of All First published August 10, 1960 I was a bit disappointed in this chapter. To spend half the chapter denigrating the charlatans that pass themselves off as Christians was a bit much. I agree that they are a blight on the Christian landscape, and that they have no interest in furthering the Gospel, just furthering themselves. I find it sad that there are "sins...that exist with the sanction of or at least the connivance of the church" (p. 143). Sin is sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). My plea to God at the beginning of my prayer time is Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." So many times, He brings to my mind sins that I need to confess and repent of. I think that we have to be careful not to treat sin lightly, even if a particular sin is pervasive in our culture. Our God is a Holy God, who will not tolerate any sin. Praise God that Jesus was sinless, and that through salvation, that righteousness is imputed to us! What are your thoughts on this chapter? For the local group, don't forget that we're meeting after church next Sunday (September 9). Bring your lunch and be prepared to discuss chapters 31 thru 34. Also, I'll be sharing my ideas of what books I'd like to study both through e-mail and in the local group, starting in January. In Christ, Lisa I was a bit disappointed in this chapter. To spend half the chapter denigrating the charlatans that pass themselves off as Christians was a bit much. I agree that they are a blight on the Christian landscape, and that they have no interest in furthering the Gospel, just furthering themselves. Yes, I agree there. I think that time spent in gently chiding sins (we know we've sinned) is better spent. Instead of tearing us down, we need to be built up and encouraged in our faith. I think that we have to be careful not to treat sin lightly, even if a particular sin is pervasive in our culture. Our God is a Holy God, who will not tolerate any sin. Praise God that Jesus was sinless, and that through salvation, that righteousness is imputed to us! Yes indeed! What are your thoughts on this chapter? Looking at the middle of page 143, Tozer covers them all! Who among us has not lacked compassion at times, been guilty of gluttony, or ---gasp--gossiped?! I do agree that all sin is sin, but some sins have longer lasting penalties and carry greater penalties in this life. Robbing a bank may put us in jail for years. Pre- or extra-marital sex may produce a child that will change our lives for years or destroy our marriage. I am not saying some sins are okay or "respectable"; in fact at times I have wished the church would clamp down more on "pride, vanity, self-centeredness, levity, etc." Just that I think sins are not equal. I expect a torrent of response telling me it is a sin to think that!!! See y'all Sunday. Heather I thought Tozer's "categories" of sin were nicely divided :) His second category is scary to think about, but let's face it---they have been widely accepted! Not all sins are equal, but the most important thing to remember is that as James points out..." If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. " (James 2:8-11) As Tozer states on pg 143, "No sin is to be excused." Lord, help me in those areas which I am weak, and open my eyes to those sins that are "convenient" and overlooked. I pray as David did in Psalm 139:23,24,"Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me,And lead me in the way everlasting." A-men Sandra Perhaps a good way to think of sin is this way...All sin has the same penalty in eternity, but different sins have different penalties here on earth. Lisa I see this is another controversial chapter, or at least one on which people have slightly differing views. I didn't realize that Jimmy Bakker and other infamous tv evangelists were big at the time Tozer wrote this essay! I, too, think he spent a bit too much time denouncing them and the pentecostal healers. Anyway, what got me was the 2nd paragraph on pg 142 where he stated, ". . . God does classify sin and so does the law of the land . . ." I agree that the law of the land classifies sin, but I don't think God does. If God classifies sin, then it would be OK for us to classify sin, and Tozer spent most of the chapter saying that it is wrong for us to do so! Matt. 5:21-22 says that anger is the same thing as murder. OUCH! Does that make me a murderer, then? I haven't killed anyone, but I've sure been angry before. James 2:11 says that commiting just one sin makes a person a lawbreaker, it doesn't matter what the sin is. If one sin, of any variety, makes one a lawbreaker, then it stands to reason that all sins are equal in that regard. I won't argue that the law of the land and people's consciences don't classify sins, because they definietly do. I think we need to be more aware of the fact that we are grieving the Holy Spirit and breaking fellowship with our Saviour with EVERY sin. Bethany Perhaps a good way to think of sin is this way...All sin has the same penalty in eternity, but different sins have different penalties here on earth.a brilliant answer!! Renee' As I read the comments on this chapter, I was struck with this second category of sins that Tozer has listed. Perhaps these sins are more "accepted" because they are a bit easier to hide from other people. For example, stinginess or lack of compassion is easier to hide than habitual drunkenness. It's harder to be accountable to other people when it comes to self-centeredness and pride than to adultery or stealing. Also, God's word instructs us to "Flee also youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22) - this second category of sins seems to be of a more internal nature and a bit harder to flee (although there is no excuse for any sin), and, therefore, they seem to keep cropping up from deep inside. These sins always remind me that I desperately need Jesus' forgiveness and the Holy Spirit's work in me to make me more the way God wants me to be. Gayle I am slightly confused over Tozer's classification of sins. How does he know that a sin committed out of weakness or impulse will not carry the same punishment as a deliberate sin. If you kill some one on impulse ( and many people have ) is last less punishable than doing it with great for thought ? If you steal out of weakness is that different than planning a robbery ? This 2nd set of sins to me is the most important group and should not be ignored. Look at that list. If we did not have those problems as people we would not commit sins # 1 and 3. As for these sins that are not "expressly forbidden by name in the Scriptures " What are they? Are they part of the sins listed in category 2 or are they something I am not aware of ? Can anyone help me with this. I am going to concentrate on the sins in category 2. I cannot say I don't have any of them, just not all to the same degree. As for the dirty habits not spelled out, since I do not know what they are I do not know if I have that problem or not. But I need to work on all the items mentioned in category 2 as I have not perfected myself enough to be totally rid of any of them. See you all Sunday. Look forward to our meeting. Linda K. I agree that we have to be careful not to treat sin lightly, and it is sad that this is done in so many ways especially in the church regarding those subtle sins that are hardly visible (sin of heart attitudes, etc.) Satan is so crafty and deceitful. Sin separates us from God and other people. That is why it is so vitally important that we stay sensitive to the promptings of God's Spirit and confess our sin as the Spirit pinches our consciences. This chapter was quite enlightening to me as far as being alert to take the log out of my own eye before I seek to remove the speck from another. (Matthew 7:5) I pray God will help us not to grieve the Spirit of God in this way with common sins mentioned on the middle of page 143. Linda S.