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Man's Greatest Need


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#1 Lori Smith

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Posted 06 November 2010 - 01:13 PM

A.W. Tozer, in the book, "That Incredible Christian," wrote, “Without a doubt the greatest need of the human personality is to experience God Himself. This is because of Who God is and who and what man is.

God is the essence of intelligent, self-conscious life and man is created in His image. God is love, and man is made for God. God and man exist for each other and neither is satisfied without the other. Though God is self-sufficient He has sovereignly willed to have communion with the being He made in honor next to Himself, and He takes every means short of coercion, which would be a violation of man’s free will" (p.83).

My question is: What do you think of this communion with God that Tozer speaks of?
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."

#2 Denes House

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Posted 07 November 2010 - 06:08 AM

Boy, I love Tozer, and I'm glad he explained it better later in the quote, but I'd have a hard time saying that God exists for man, and is not satisfied without man. God pre-existed man, and as Tozer says, God is self-sufficient, which I'd have to believe means that he is satisfied in and of Himself.

On the other hand, I agree that man exists for God, and that we are unsatisfied without God. That is clear, and it becomes manifestly clear when one gives one's life to God, and becomes more clear the longer one loves God.
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#3 Lori Smith

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Posted 07 November 2010 - 10:03 AM

Boy, I love Tozer, and I'm glad he explained it better later in the quote, but I'd have a hard time saying that God exists for man, and is not satisfied without man. God pre-existed man, and as Tozer says, God is self-sufficient, which I'd have to believe means that he is satisfied in and of Himself.

On the other hand, I agree that man exists for God, and that we are unsatisfied without God. That is clear, and it becomes manifestly clear when one gives one's life to God, and becomes more clear the longer one loves God.


Thank you so much for responding to my question. :) What do you think motivated God to send His Son to die on the cross? What do you think motivated Jesus to become incarnate and die such a cruel death that He might save us?
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."

#4 Denes House

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Posted 07 November 2010 - 08:42 PM

Love. Not need, but love. Pure, self-giving. God sent His Son, the Son went voluntarily, because of the Love that has existed within the Godhead before the Creation of the world. That's what love does.
For those who are wondering, my name is spelled "Denes House," but it's pronounced "Throatwobbler Mangrove..."

Visit my weblog, online art gallery, and church's website!

#5 Brian Rushfeldt

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Posted 07 November 2010 - 08:52 PM

The plan of salvation of man - really a restoration of relationship was what God had to do out of His love for the sons and daughters He created. As a dad I understand a tiny bit about love for the "kids".

God loves us - becuase of who He is but also since He created every human so uniquely - He knit us together in our moms womb - how could He not want a realtionship with us? Most Fathers want a close relationship and want the best for their kids.

Think of this - maybe 80- 100 billion people have lived on earth - and every one unique and loved. Wow !

#6 Lori Smith

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Posted 08 November 2010 - 05:13 AM

Love. Not need, but love. Pure, self-giving. God sent His Son, the Son went voluntarily, because of the Love that has existed within the Godhead before the Creation of the world. That's what love does.



Indeed! It is love that compells Him! It was also this passionate love that Tozer was referring to. When Tozer speaks of God needing man; he is not referring to need in a literal sense. Rather Tozer speaks of God's passion for us. This is the passion that caused God to say to His idolatrous nation, "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over Israel?" (Hosea 11:8).

God doesn't need us; however He loves us so much that He cannot give us up; even if it means dying for us. Yes, you are right that's what love does! What an awesome God we have!
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."

#7 Lori Smith

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Posted 08 November 2010 - 05:30 AM

The plan of salvation of man - really a restoration of relationship was what God had to do out of His love for the sons and daughters He created. As a dad I understand a tiny bit about love for the "kids".

God loves us - becuase of who He is but also since He created every human so uniquely - He knit us together in our moms womb - how could He not want a realtionship with us? Most Fathers want a close relationship and want the best for their kids.

Think of this - maybe 80- 100 billion people have lived on earth - and every one unique and loved. Wow !


Brian,

I love how you have pointed out that although God has created the universe, He is also immanent (Immanuel-God with us).

His creation mirrors this. Ken Boa is his book, "Conformed to His Image," writes, "Creation abounds with resplendent wonders on every order of magnitude from the microcosm to the macrocosm that point beyond themselves to the beauty and unimaginable brillance of the creator of the cosmos. Consider these marvels of order and design: particles and atoms, light and colors, microbes and diatoms, snowflakes, insects, seeds, flowers, leaves, shells, rocks and minerals..." (155).

What is interesting as we look as this list of a few of the items of God's creation, is that the smallest particles contain as much detail and attention as the biggest star. That is significant for it tells us how He can be involved in the most minute details of our lives without great effort on His part.

What an awesome God we have!
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."