A. W. Tozer

God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words.

God formed us for His pleasure, and so formed us that we as well as He can in divine communion enjoy the sweet and mysterious mingling of kindred personalities.

To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart.

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire.

The blessed ones who possess the Kingdom are they who have repudiated every external thing and have rooted from their hearts all sense of possessing.

Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God's loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own.

Our pursuit of God is successful just because He is forever seeking to manifest Himself to us.

The spiritual is real. If we would rise into that region of light and power plainly beckoning us through the Scriptures of truth we must break the evil habit of ignoring the spiritual.

Every man must choose his world. If we who follow Christ, with all the facts before us and knowing what we are about, deliberately choose the Kingdom of God as our sphere of interest I see no reason why anyone should object.

We must avoid the common fault of pushing the 'other world' into the future. It is not future, but present. It parallels our familiar physical world, and the doors between the two worlds are open.

Faith creates nothing; it simply reckons upon that which is already there. God and the spiritual world are real. We can reckon upon them with as much assurance as we reckon upon the familiar world around us.

The Voice of God, however, is alive and free as the sovereign God is free. 'The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.' The life is in the speaking words.

Faith is not in itself a meritorious act; the merit is in the One toward Whom it is directed.

Faith is a redirecting of our sight, a getting out of the focus of our own vision and getting God into focus.

When we lift our inward eyes to gaze upon God we are sure to meet friendly eyes gazing back at us, for it is written that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout all the earth.

When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.

God never made salvation depend upon new moons nor holy days or sabbaths.

Lift your heart and let it rest upon Jesus and you are instantly in a sanctuary though it be a Pullman berth or a factory or a kitchen.

The whole man must make the decision before the heart can know any real satisfaction. God wants us all, and He will not rest till He gets us all.

In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto.

The heart of the world is breaking under this load of pride and pretense. There is no release from our burden apart from the meekness of Christ.

Let us practice the fine art of making every work a priestly ministration. Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.

It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything.

The Paradox of Seeking and Finding God

Tozer introduces the paradox that even after finding God, the soul continues to seek Him. He writes, 'To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love.' This ongoing pursuit is not a sign of dissatisfaction but a deeper yearning for a fuller experience of God, exemplified by historical figures like Moses and Paul who continued to seek deeper knowledge and intimacy with God despite their profound experiences.

Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people.

We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit.

The roots of our hearts have grown down into things, and we dare not pull up one rootlet lest we die.

When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself.

He had everything, but he possessed nothing. There is the spiritual secret.

Wherever we are, God is here. There is no place, there can be no place, where He is not.

God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking.

Faith creates nothing; it simply reckons upon that which is already there. God and the spiritual world are real.

The world of sense triumphs. The visible becomes the enemy of the invisible; the temporal, of the eternal.

To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love.

The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities.

He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.

God is so vastly wonderful, so utterly and completely delightful that He can, without anything other than Himself, meet and overflow the deepest demands of our total nature.

Faith enables our spiritual sense to function. Where faith is defective the result will be inward insensibility and numbness toward spiritual things.

A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, embracing us, altogether within reach of our inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it.

God is here when we are wholly unaware of it. He is manifest only when and as we are aware of His Presence.

The great Reality is God who is the Author of that lower and dependent reality which makes up the sum of created things, including ourselves.

The Word of God is quick and powerful. In the beginning He spoke to nothing, and it became something.

Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.

Since believing is looking, it can be done without special equipment or religious paraphernalia.

Essentially salvation is the restoration of a right relation between man and his Creator, a bringing back to normal of the Creator-creature relation.

The Bible will never be a living Book to us until we are convinced that God is articulate in His universe.

The pursuit of God will embrace the labor of bringing our total personality into conformity to His.

The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself.

The whole course of the life is upset by failure to put God where He belongs. We exalt ourselves instead of God and the curse follows.

The rest He offers is the rest of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend.

Divine Initiation in the Pursuit of God

A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the pursuit of God is initiated by God's prevenient grace, not human effort. He states, 'We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit.' This underscores the theological concept that all spiritual hunger and seeking originate from God’s initial drawing, removing any credit from humans for their spiritual pursuits.

Possessing Nothing for Spiritual Freedom

Tozer delves into the lesson of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, emphasizing the idea of possessing nothing. 'He had everything, but he possessed nothing. There is the spiritual secret.' This teaches that True spiritual freedom and intimacy with God come from relinquishing our hold on earthly possessions and relationships, recognizing them as God's gifts rather than our own.

Removing the Veil of Self-Life

Tozer discusses the metaphorical veil of self-life that separates believers from experiencing the full presence of God. 'Self is the opaque veil that hides the Face of God from us.' To experience God fully, one must undergo a painful process of self-crucifixion, allowing the cross to do its work within us, involving a deep, personal surrender and a willingness to let go of self-centered aspects of our nature.

Faith as the Gaze of the Soul

Tozer describes faith as a continuous, inward gaze upon God, not a one-time act. 'Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.' This sustained, intentional focus on God transforms and purifies the believer, leading to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. This continuous gaze is akin to the Israelites looking at the bronze serpent, symbolizing a sustained focus on Jesus.

Restoring the Creator-Creature Relationship

Tozer emphasizes that the root of human misery is a disrupted relationship with God, which salvation aims to correct. 'Essentially salvation is the restoration of a right relation between man and his Creator, a bringing back to normal of the Creator-creature relation.' This restoration brings True happiness and spiritual satisfaction, as illustrated by the story of the prodigal son.

Meekness and Rest

Tozer describes meekness as a key to finding rest for our souls. 'The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself.' Embracing meekness leads to inner peace and freedom from the burdens of pride and pretense, finding rest in God's approval rather than the world's.

Cultivate a Personal Relationship with God

Focus on developing a direct and personal relationship with God rather than relying solely on religious programs and activities. Spend time in prayer, meditation, and reading Scripture to deepen your connection with Him.

Embrace Spiritual Hunger

Do not be content with a superficial understanding of God. Allow your spiritual hunger to drive you to seek deeper knowledge and intimacy with Him. Engage in practices that foster a continual pursuit of God, such as fasting, solitude, and reflective prayer.

Surrender Your Possessions

Reflect on the things and relationships you hold dear and consciously offer them to God, recognizing them as His gifts. This act of surrender can free you from possessiveness and deepen your spiritual journey.

Identify and Crucify Self-Sins

Take time to introspect and identify aspects of self-life, such as self-righteousness or self-pity, that may be hindering your spiritual growth. Bring these to the cross in prayer, asking God to help you overcome them.

Practice Continuous Gaze

Make a conscious effort to direct your heart's attention to Jesus throughout the day. This can be done by pausing periodically to refocus on God, especially during moments of distraction or stress.

Self is the opaque veil that hides the Face of God from us.

We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us.

God can be known in personal experience.

We apprehend the physical world by exercising the faculties given us for the purpose, and we possess spiritual faculties by means of which we can know God.

The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion.

The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of His Presence.

Grace takes its rise far back in the heart of God...but the channel through which it flows out to men is Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.

The law was given to men through Moses, but it did not originate with Moses...The moral principles it embodies are eternal.

God’s holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered. We know nothing like the divine holiness.

All of God’s acts are consistent with all of His attributes. No attribute contradicts the other, but all harmonize and blend into each other in the infinite abyss of the Godhead.

God's Self-Sufficiency

Tozer stresses that God is self-sufficient and has no needs, asserting, 'God, He said, is self-sufficient; He is what He is in Himself, in the final meaning of those words.' This means that God's existence and fullness do not depend on anything outside Himself. The analogy of stars shining irrespective of human blindness encapsulates this attribute, illustrating that God remains unaffected by human belief or unbelief. This understanding detaches God from any form of dependency, painting a picture of the infinite sufficiency inherent in His being.

Thinking Rightly About God

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical importance of having a correct understanding of God. He asserts, 'What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.' This idea underscores that our view of God shapes our worship, ethics, and overall spiritual life. A lofty and accurate concept of God fosters a deeper sense of worship and reverence, which is crucial for genuine Christian living. Conversely, low or incorrect views of God lead to widespread spiritual decline and a lack of reverence in worship.

God's Immutability

Tozer highlights the unchanging nature of God, stating, 'God cannot change for the better. Since He is perfectly holy, He has never been less holy than He is now and can never be holier than He is and has always been.' This immutability ensures that God's essence, character, and promises remain constant. Unlike humans and earthly constructs, which are subject to constant fluctuations, God's unchangeability provides a reliable foundation upon which faith and spirituality can firmly stand.

God's Infinite Knowledge

Tozer explains that God's omniscience means He 'possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn.' This attribute ensures that God comprehends not only all actions and intents of His creations but also His divine being completely. Therefore, nothing in the universe remains hidden from Him—every thought, mystery, and future possibility falls within His purview. This full knowledge of existence encompasses each person’s actions, secrets, and true nature, leading to a transparent relationship with the divine whereby nothing remains concealed.

The Holiness of God

Tozer delves into the concept of God's holiness, describing it as an incomprehensible attribute that cannot be fully grasped by human minds. 'God’s holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered. We know nothing like the divine holiness.' He emphasizes that God's holiness demands a moral perfection that humans can only approach through faith and penitence. This intrinsic holiness of God sets a standard that does not change and is crucial for the moral health of the universe. The holiness of God also necessitates His wrath against sin, a protective measure for His creation's moral integrity.

God's Grace Through Christ

Tozer explains that grace is deeply rooted in God's holy nature and reaches mankind exclusively through Jesus Christ. 'Grace takes its rise far back in the heart of God...but the channel through which it flows out to men is Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.' This indicates that grace and Christ are inseparable in Christian theology. Tozer refutes the mistaken notion that Old Testament law and New Testament grace are separate, clarifying that grace has always existed as an attribute of God, even before the arrival of Christ in the flesh.

Trusting in God's Wisdom and Timing

Tozer emphasizes the importance of resting in the wisdom and timing of God rather than relying on human understanding. Instead of seeking justification or explanations for life's struggles and mysteries, believers are encouraged to trust in God's inherent wisdom and benevolence. As Tozer notes, 'The being of God is its own defense… we rest our hope in the only wise God, our Saviour, and wait with patience the slow development of His benign purposes.' This trust in God’s complex yet perfect plan provides comfort and reassures believers amidst uncertainty and suffering.

Cultivate High Views of God

Regularly engage in studying and reflecting on God's attributes to maintain a high and accurate view of His majesty. This can help prevent the erosion of reverence and awe in your worship.

Trust in God's Consistent Character

Acknowledge that 'God’s attitude toward us now is the same as it was in eternity past and will be in eternity to come.' By recognizing God’s immutability, cultivate a stable, unwavering faith that trusts in His constant character and eternal promises.

Embrace God's Self-Sufficiency

Recognize that your value is not in meeting God’s needs but in responding to His sovereign call. This relieves the burden of performance and fosters genuine service out of love and obedience.

Reflect on Eternity

Meditate on God's eternal nature. Let this perspective illuminate the transient nature of earthly concerns and inspire a deeper commitment to an eternal purpose.

Seek True Repentance

Regularly examine your heart and actions against God's will. Understand that true repentance involves dethroning self-will and restoring God's authority in your life.

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

Because God’s nature is infinite, everything that flows out of it is infinite also.

God cannot change for the better. Since He is perfectly holy, He has never been less holy than He is now and can never be holier than He is and has always been.

God’s attitude toward us now is the same as it was in eternity past and will be in eternity to come.

To set our will against the will of God is to dethrone God and make ourselves supreme in the little kingdom of Mansoul.

God, He said, is self-sufficient; He is what He is in Himself, in the final meaning of those words.

From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Our insistence upon seeing ahead is natural enough, but it is a real hindrance to our spiritual progress.

Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped in his leaner and weaker days.