This post is based on the book “The Pursuit of God” by A. W. Tozer.

If a person who knew nothing of the Bible and had no preconceived notions were to read it, they would find themes or overarching truths within the pages. The more he or she would read, the stronger those themes would become.

He or she would start to notice that Faith is one of these central themes. Faith would be found as such a strong theme that he or she would realize that it is vitally important to have faith in order to have a relationship with God.

When asked for a definition of Faith, most spiritual leaders say that faith is the belief in a promise. Most sermons on faith start with this belief, and end with some form of promise fulfillment. We know that the Bible holds almost no specific definition of faith other than Hebrews 11:1 which states that Faith is confidence of what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. Scripture also tells us that Faith is a gift of God, and it comes by hearing the Word.

In Numbers the children of Israel were being bitten by poisonous snakes. They begged Moses to ask God for a saving solution to this problem. Moses followed God’s instruction to cast a bronze serpent onto a pole and raise it up to be seen. Anyone who had been bitten only needed to look at the bronze serpent to be saved. Jesus used this story when he was foreshadowing His own death. He stated that the Son of Man would be lifted up, and that whosoever believeth on Him shall have eternal life.

Tozer says that anyone reading these two passages would notice that “looking” and “believing” are used as synonyms. Because of this Tozer concludes that, “Faith is the gaze of the soul upon a saving God.”

All through the Bible, leaders pray looking toward God. Paul instructs us that we should run our faith race looking toward Jesus. A person can’t take one look at a distant target, then close their eyes, and still hit that target. It is not one look, it is a continuous gaze. God looks at our first commitment as a purposeful intention to eternally gaze on Him. He knows we live in a world full of sin. He knows our gaze will veer. He knows the desire of our heart, and He will help us strengthen our habit to gaze upon Him even more.

Faith is the least self-regarding virtue. When we focus on fixing and bettering ourselves, we only become more self-involved. We must gaze on the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit considering their attributes. As we do this we will become transformed by the permeating influence of the Holiness of God.

Tozer’s Prayer Paraphrased:

“Oh Lord, I have heard a good word inviting me to look to You and be satisfied. My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded my vision until I see you only dimly. Cleanse me in Your own precious blood, and make me inwardly pure, so that I can look upon you with unveiled eyes all of the days of my earthly existence. Then I will be ready to see you in full splendor in the day when you will appear to be glorified and admired by all who believe. Amen”

Categories: Jennifer Chlumsky The Pursuit of God

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