love tozer, but don’t think this quote can be a principle for life. certainly true in numerous circumstances (and maybe even most of the time), but it seems to be missing an element of grace. otherwise i’m left with a cloud of God over my head waiting to be hurt before being used and blessed. just my initial thoughts.
I belileve Tozer is not saying you have to be hurt every time God wants to bless us. I think Tozer may be alluding to the greatest blessing of all, eternal life with God. If this is the case I wholeheartedly agree. There certainly is a “hurt” that is involved in our old nature dying and being given a new nature in Christ. But ohhhhh the blessing!
I think it’s just poor word choice, but the older I get, the more I see the point. Taken from man’s perspective this is entirely true. Used as a theological formulation, it’s less than helpful. ;)
I’ve been thinking about this quote & the above discussion.
The wording of this quote may seem a bit harsh until read in its broader context. There, Tozer portrays the painful refining process as a good and gracious act of God.
I like this quote because it reminds me of the first part of Hebrews 12, especially verse 11:
Now, discipline [as in “training children”] always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Biblical theology embraces suffering as God’s good intentions for us. What Satan meant for evil, God means for good. At present I’m studying about how God intends to bless us through suffering. What are we to make of passages like Rom. 8 which says we are co-heirs with Christ and will share his glory if we share in his sufferings?
Wow! …..and, wow! Thanks for another great quote.
Very true, in my experience…and that of Job.
How should we define “bless” here? I imagine this type of blessing goes much deeper than the superficial understanding often associated with the term.
Amen! …to the quote and each comment thus far!
love tozer, but don’t think this quote can be a principle for life. certainly true in numerous circumstances (and maybe even most of the time), but it seems to be missing an element of grace. otherwise i’m left with a cloud of God over my head waiting to be hurt before being used and blessed. just my initial thoughts.
I belileve Tozer is not saying you have to be hurt every time God wants to bless us. I think Tozer may be alluding to the greatest blessing of all, eternal life with God. If this is the case I wholeheartedly agree. There certainly is a “hurt” that is involved in our old nature dying and being given a new nature in Christ. But ohhhhh the blessing!
I think it’s just poor word choice, but the older I get, the more I see the point. Taken from man’s perspective this is entirely true. Used as a theological formulation, it’s less than helpful. ;)
I’ve been thinking about this quote & the above discussion.
The wording of this quote may seem a bit harsh until read in its broader context. There, Tozer portrays the painful refining process as a good and gracious act of God.
Here’s a link to an excerpt online:
http://www.acts17-11.com/snip_tozer_furnace.html
I like this quote because it reminds me of the first part of Hebrews 12, especially verse 11:
Now, discipline [as in “training children”] always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Biblical theology embraces suffering as God’s good intentions for us. What Satan meant for evil, God means for good. At present I’m studying about how God intends to bless us through suffering. What are we to make of passages like Rom. 8 which says we are co-heirs with Christ and will share his glory if we share in his sufferings?