DO NOT HOPE TO WIN THE LOST BY BEING AGREEABLE

By A. W. Tozer
 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men,
be strong.     - 1 Corinthians 16:13

   In our day, religion may be very precious to some
persons, but hardly important enough to cause
division or risk hurting anyone's feelings!

   In all our discussions there must never be any trace of
intolerance, we are reminded; but obviously we forget
that  the  most  fervent  devotees  of  tolerance  are
invariably intolerant of everyone who speaks about God
with certainty. And there must be no bigotry-which is
the name given to spiritual assurance by those who do
not enjoy it!

  The desire to please may be commendable enough
under certain circumstances, but when pleasing men
means displeasing God it is an unqualified evil and
should have no place in the Christian's heart. To be right
with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.
This is such a common truth that one hesitates to
mention it, yet it appears to have been overlooked by the
majority of Christians today.

  There is a notion abroad that to win a man we must
agree with him.  Actually, the exact opposite is true!

  The man who is going in a wrong direction will never
be set right by the affable religionist who falls into step
beside him and goes the same way. Someone must place
himself across the path and insist that the straying man
turn around and go in the right direction.
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Yours in Christ
Paul N. F.