A.W. Tozer, in my opinion, one of the greatest theologians of our time, created this quote: “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” More ‘meat’ exists in that quote than in a jumbo taco.
In his essay, Tozer gives name to a particular kind of ‘Christian.’ He calls that group the ‘too-easily-satisfied religionist.’ If one phrase encapsulated this group of people, it would be those who say, “Yes, I believe in God.” What they’re actually saying is “I believe in the existence of God.” They then add, “And that’s enough.”
James 2:19 informs us that taking that viewpoint puts us level with the demons of the earth: “You believe God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” Note the response of the demons to the knowledge of God who exists: They shudder. A bit more responsive than yawning before muttering, “Yeah, there’s a God somewhere. Maybe Walmart?”
Tozer’s quote indicates an emphatic response: “…and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” Tozer is calling all Believers to passionately pursue God. A significant difference exists between merely believing in the existence of God and passionately loving Him so much we pursue knowing Him more and more.
If you’re a parent, this passion is essential to growing a God-filled home. As a true-blue American citizen, you may be teaching your children that there is definitely a “God.” He’s somewhere out there between Mercury and Pluto. You feel good because you believe it’s keeping your children away from drugs, witchcraft and unicorns. Success! So you move on to teach your children about the virtues of eating broccoli and wearing clean underwear.
The question you must answer is how you view your children. Do you simply see human organisms who will stroll through the stages of life–playing sports, going to college, having a career and family then dying like everybody else? Or do you see ‘souls’ as Toser calls us in his quote?
That’s an important distinction. Say you believe in God. Do you also believe in an eternal life? That’s where the ‘souls’ concept enters this discussion. If you see your children as souls, then you must also concede that they will live eternally.
How then would you define this eternal existence for your children? Let’s say it’s along the lines of the popular movie, All Dogs Go To Heaven. On what basis do you teach your children they will someday enter into Heaven with God? Because, like dogs, people do too? Because you believe in the existence of a ‘God,’ who lives somewhere out there among the cosmic dust? One question more: Is this “God” involved at all with life here, or is he too self-absorbed in his own existence to bother about yours? If he cares about your life, how do you respond to that?
Tozer provides a simply excellent answer. Love God. Show and teach those little souls to love God. Always remember, He desires an intimate relationship with each of us. That’s light years away from the concept of just believing in His existence. Using that as your truth is akin to walking down a dead-end alley. That conjures up the old Beatles song, Nowhere Man. Is that what you want for your children?
It’s easy to show and teach your little souls to love God. They’re eager for that. Brush the dust off the Bible and open it up for them. All those stories speak of God’s desire to have relationship with us. Pray with them-especially teaching them to be thankful that God loves them more than anyone else possible could. Talk with them about your own faith and how you fell in love with God and what He means to you.
Especially, show them the sacrifice of Christ, and what it means to you and what you hope it will mean to them. Do these things for your children, and you will grow souls who will passionately look forward to an eternal life with their God. That, my friends, is what a God-filled home looks like.
Godless home or God-filled home? Parents, the decision is yours.