Faithless Action and Actionless Faith
Faith is not a substitute for moral conduct, but a means toward it, and Christlike conduct is the end of Christian faith.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true faith is not a replacement for moral conduct but rather a catalyst for it. He illustrates that just as a tree exists to produce fruit, faith should lead to Christlike actions. Tozer warns against the dangerous misconception that faith can exist without corresponding works, which has resulted in a distorted Christian life. He likens this error to a flawed foundation in construction, leading to unsightly and unstable spiritual structures. Ultimately, he reminds us that we will be held accountable for how we live out our faith in action.
Text
Rightly understood, faith is not a substitute for moral conduct but a means toward it. The tree does not serve in lieu of fruit but as an agent by which fruit is secured. Fruit, not trees, is the end God has in mind in yonder orchard; so Christlike conduct is the end of Christian faith. To oppose faith to works is to make the fruit the enemy to the tree; yet that is exactly what we have managed to do.
And the consequences have been disastrous.
A miscalculation in laying the foundation of a building will throw the whole superstructure out of plumb, and the error that gave us faith as a substitute for action instead of faith in action has raised up in our day unsymmetrical and ugly temples of which we may well be ashamed, and for which we shall surely give a strict account in the day when Christ judges the secrets of our hearts.
Sermon Outline
- Faith and Moral Conduct
- The Consequences of Misunderstanding Faith
- The Importance of Faith in Action
- Faith and action are not separate entities
- Christlike conduct is the end of Christian faith
Key Quotes
“Fruit, not trees, is the end God has in mind in yonder orchard; so Christlike conduct is the end of Christian faith.” — A.W. Tozer
“To oppose faith to works is to make the fruit the enemy to the tree;” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must understand that faith is not a substitute for moral conduct, but a means toward it.
- We must strive for Christlike conduct in our daily lives, as it is the end of Christian faith.
- We must not oppose faith to works, but rather see them as closely connected.