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  TEMPORAL CONSEQUENCES AND ETERNAL ONES
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: Living in fear of temporal consequences is an evil that
distracts from living reverently in the fear of God.

Topics: "Eternal Perspective", "Consequences of Actions"
Scripture References: Genesis 2:17, Romans 14:10, Galatians 6:7

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the vital connection between our actions and their
consequences, asserting that both temporal and eternal outcomes are
significant in the lives of believers. He points out that while it is
commendable to live with an awareness of eternal consequences, living
solely in fear of temporal repercussions is detrimental and
unjustifiable. Tozer warns that this fear has cast a shadow over the
church, leading to a moral decline that undermines true faith and
reverence for God. He calls for a return to a mindset that prioritizes
eternal truths over immediate fears.

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CONTENT
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There is a close cause-and-effect relationship between deeds and
consequences. No right-thinking person would try to deny this.

The whole scheme of rewards and punishment is a solid and substantial
part of the belief of both Jews and Christians, as well as of many moral
philosophers and of religions other than the Judeo-Christian. The human
race at first was put on probation with the words, ?but you must not eat
from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it
you will surely die? (Genesis 2:17). This is truth so generally accepted
by Christians everywhere as to call for no further comment here.

To live our lives reverently in the fear of God and in view of eternal
consequences is right and good, but to live our moral lives in fear of
temporal consequences is an evil, a great and injurious evil for which
not one shred of justification can be found. Yet the shadow of the fear
of consequences lies dark across the church today and its blight is seen
almost everywhere.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/temporal-consequences-and-eternal-ones/
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