In the last chapter of A.W. Tozer’s book Knowledge of the Holy he spells out six conditions. I’d like to summarize them with just a few added Scripture references. (Click on Scripture references.)
“…this knowledge is difficult because there are conditions to be met and the obstinate nature of fallen man does not take kindly to them.
Let me present a brief summary of these conditions as taught by the Bible and repeated through the centuries by the holiest, sweetest saints the world has ever known:”
“First, we must forsake our sins.”
Isaiah 55:7, Acts 3:19
“Second, there must be an utter committal of the whole life to Christ in faith.”
Psalm 63:8, Psalm 84:1-2, Luke 9:23
“Third, there must be a reckoning of ourselves to have died unto sin and to be alive unto God in Christ Jesus, followed by a throwing open of the entire personality to the inflow of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:25
“Fourth, we must boldly repudiate the cheap values of the fallen world and become completely detached in spirit from everything that unbelieving men set their hearts upon, allowing ourselves only the simplest enjoyments of nature which God has bestowed alike upon the just and the unjust.”
Psalm 1:1, Romans 12:2
“Fifth, we must practice the art of long and loving meditation upon the majesty of God.”
Psalm 1:2, Psalm 63:6, Psalm 145:5
“Sixth, as the knowledge of God becomes more wonderful, greater service to our fellow men will become for us imperative. This blessed knowledge is not given to be enjoyed selfishly.”
Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:4, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14, James 2:17-18
Belief
Romans
Genesis 15:6 says, “And he [Abraham] believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Many assume that in the OT it was through works that people were made righteous but even before the law came about faith was of primary importance (as it was with the law).
Romans 4:3-5 says, ‘For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.’
Thomas Schreiner in his commentary on Romans says, ‘Paul specifically and emphatically contrasts “working” and “believing” in verses 4-5.’ And, ‘”Working is the result of one’s own capability, but “believing” relies on another… Working involves doing, while the genius of belief is receiving.’
Later on he quotes Adolf Schlatter as saying, “He [Abraham] does not believe in spite of his inability, but he believes because of it;” Then Schreiner says, “The full assurance in Abraham’s faith did not stem from his unusual abilities. Its origins lay in contemplating the power of God, for He surely has the power to accomplish what he has promised.” (Romans 4:20-21)
–Simon Gathercole