The Most Important Thing
In his famous book, The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer states that the most important thing about us is what we think about God. His argument is that our thoughts on God effects everything about us: our emotions, our actions, our habits, the overarching story of our lives, and even our eternal state.
The problem that he see’s within us is that we often entertain a view of God that is far too low. For example, concerning God’s greatness we often think of God as simply the “greatest” being in a line up of beings. The truth is he is infinitly greater than all beings combined.
Tozer says, “We must not think of God as highest in an ascending order of beings, starting with the single cell and going up from the fish to the bird to the man to the angel to the cherub to God. God is as high above an archangel as above a caterpillar.”
When we think this way, that God is just a bit above the archangel, we feel more worry and less trust, and thus our behavior becomes more and more destructive (like being a control freak).
However, when we attempt to hold the massive view of God that the scriptures bring us, we are more likely to trust, obey, and live on the great comission Jesus has given us. For example, in the book, Tozer talks about how we often think of God as juuuust big enough to defeat satan in the end. So, “Whew, we’re gonna be ok.”
When in reality satan isn’t even struggle for God to defeat. God created Satan, Satan has to report to God (Job 1), and God will effortlessly cast him into the abyss on the last day (Revelation 20). Does that not make you more confident that God can give you victory in your sanctification? And more likely to lean into the escapes from sin that God provides? (1 Cor. 10:13)
And not only is our God massive, and mind blowing - he is accessible. He came down in human form and dwelt among us, taking on the name Jesus (God saves). He spoke to us in our own language and lived before us that we might see his splendor with our own eyes. He took on feet and walked in front of us leading the way from miracle to miracle as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and called us to follow behind him. He then showed us his infinite ability to crush the head of the serpent by dying for sin and paying our ransom, then rising from death the 3rd day and ascending to the right hand of the Father promising to return soon and make all things new! God has revealed just how magnificent he is in Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-2 states Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
This series is not about AW Tozers book, but we hope meets the same goal: to get people to understand that the most important thing about them is what they think about Jesus. It effects everything. And, similar to AW Tozer, we’re going to attempt to help people think well about the Lord by proclaiming some of his attributes. We’ve chosen 8 attributes and 8 preachers from our congregation. Each preacher will get an attribute, study it, and come and proclaim it.
Out of each attribute can come many applications but one main one that can guide us all summer is repenting of too low a view of God and adopting a higher one. This is something we can all always work on no matter where we’re at in our Christian walk.
Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
