Diplomats or Prophets?

“We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.” A. W. Tozer

Now those of you who know me know that I am a big fan of A.W. Tozer. He lived from 1897 to 1963 and within 5 years of his conversion, he was asked to pastor his first church. He had no formal education. He was a diligent student of the bible and was described by one as a “Spirit taught man.” He never owned a car and signed away most of the proceeds from his books to the poor. He truly lived that which he taught.

It was said of him by Harley Howard, “A. W Tozer, unquestionably one of the greatest men who ever preached the Bible, was a man ridiculed while he lived because he was so ‘out of touch’ with the religious establishment around him. What made him so ‘out of touch’ with those around him was the fact that he was so ‘in touch’ with God.”

Clearly, if one will read his writings, they will see that Tozer was indeed in touch with God.

The above quote by Tozer, written sometime in the 1950’s, is still contemporary today. Tozer saw many pastors (so-called) of his day attempting to make the gospel more attractive; unfortunately, in their attempt to attract the world, they watered down the gospel in the process, making their message of no effect.

Today, some 50-60 years after he wrote, we see the same in the church (so-called) today. (I say so-called because many who call themselves “Christian Churches” clearly are teaching a different gospel, another Jesus, and another Spirit and therefore are not part of the true church (see Matthew 7:21-23).

There is no connection between the Church and the world (the world system in rebellion to God and those who are part of it). Paul the Apostle, writing to the Corinthians said, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). One would think that his words (inspired by the Holy Spirit) would be clear enough for all; however, that is not the case.

There are “movements” within the church (so-called) today as which Tozer wrote, that are trying to “make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education.”

The church is not for the world. The church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head, Colossians 1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

To make the church “palatable” to the world is to attempt to unite “righteousness with lawlessness,” “light with darkness,” and “Christ with Belial" (worthlessness, wickedness). Yet this is what many in the “Church Growth Movement” are doing today.

Does this mean that we are not to invite those who don’t know Jesus to church? Of course not! What is does mean is that when we invite them we are not to water down the message to make them more comfortable; rather, we are to proclaim the truth of the message of the Gospel. Our responsibility is as Tozer said, “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.”

Anything less is compromise, and therefore sin.