“I want to be a more serious-minded Christian, more detached from this world, more ready for heaven than I have ever been in my whole life. I want an ear that is sharp to know the voice of the enemy, whether it comes from religion, politics, or philosophy … I would rather stand and have everybody my enemy than to go along with the crowd to destruction. Do you feel that way?” — Aiden Wilson Tozer
If this is our heart’s desire, we can rest assured we are following hard after Christ. Intimacy with Christ is something many Christians do not grabble with in this day and age. Prayer seems to be more of a grab and go type exercise and church attendance is a mere relief of conscience.
To know God and to walk close to Him should be the ultimate goal of every believer. His word should dwell in our spirit in abundance so that we can give an answer to every man who asks for the reason of the hope that lives in us. The man mentioned in the afore quote, once prayed, “God let me love you more than any other man on earth.” Have we ever had that desire, much less, pray it?
There is something much different about the older preachers than the modern preachers. Perhaps it was their desire to pursue Christ whatever the cost may be. Maybe it was in the deliverance of their message.
Leonard Ravenhill said, “If the sermon doesn’t burn in you (preacher), it won’t burn in anybody else, that’s for sure!” Although there remains among us such diligent men, they are few and far between in comparison. I’m not sure your thoughts about the state of our present-day world, but I’m living in one that demands my utmost for His highest.
With critical laws passing that will forever change the face of America, we should desire to shelter in place, that is safely in the secret place of the Most High. How is such a walk with Christ attainable? By laying aside the sins and hindrances that keep us anchored to the love of this world.
Whatever our individual case may be, the command remains; let us exert ourselves with patient endurance the race set before us. Looking solely to Jesus, the beginner and finisher of our faith.
“By your steadfast perseverance and unwavering faith you shall win the true life of your souls.” (Luke 21:19)
Sue West is available to speak at churches and home Bible Study groups. Contact her at preacher_west@yahoo.com.sg
This article originally ran on dicksonpost.com.
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