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God's Pursuit of Man: The Divine Conquest of the Human Heart

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AW Tozer's works have one aim in sight; that the believer walk with God in Spirit and in Truth. His holy zeal is for nothing more than for the believer to have an experience with the living God, and not be content with what Paul called "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."

It is fitting that Rev. Tozer would begin this work with the scripture from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12 v. 12 "And further, by these, my son, be admonished : of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."

One merely has to go to their Christian bookstore and see that there is an endless supply of spiritual books, promising everything from wealth and riches in this life, deliverance, a Godly marriage, prayer, etc. However Rev. Tozer's writings are on an altogether higher spiritual plain. His Christianity is without pretense or promises. His one aim is to "know Him in the power of His resurrection and in the fellowship of His sufferings." Tozer's words cut to the quick. You can see that as he received his insight by revelation it required that he go to the same Cross he is pointing the rest of us to.

Tozer spares not what he calls "the Adamic ego." Whether we refer to this as "the flesh," or the "old man," the fact remains that there MUST be a death if we are to ever become what God ordained us to be.

Tozer is a firm believer in prevenient grace; God is on the throne at all times. Approaching this great and august Being presumptuously is to do so in vain. To Tozer, God was not an inference, a deduction, but rather a reality.

I can honestly say that I can only read a page or two of Tozer's writings at one sitting. He condenses spiritual truth so that if you do not read in a prayerful way, it is easy to miss his point, it is that sublime.

I have long recommended his works to those who want a closer walk with the Lord. Tozer's book "The Pursuit of God" was written first; this book is billed as a prequel written two years later. Both are worthy of intense study and incorporation into your daily quiet time.

You won't be disappointed. I know what Tozer's works have done for me.

God's Pursuit of Man is A. W. Tozer's prequel to The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst For the Divine, companion books that explore the truth of Philippians 3:12 (although I do not recall Tozer's referencing this scripture): "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

In this book, the author further develops truths about what is required for intimate communion between redeemed man and God by shifting his focus from man to God, but not entirely. He still writes quite a bit about man's part, particularly the imperative command of God that His own be separate from the world, and the absolute necessity of our uncompromising obedience to God in this regard, His having left us no middle road of compromise.

I love that early in the book he says, "Without doubt we have suffered the loss of many spiritual treasures because we have let slip the simple truth that the miracle of the perpetuation of life is in God" (p. 11). The simple assimilation of this "simple truth" by believers could go far toward our overall understanding of, not just what God has, but who God is, what God is all about, what He does and desires to do, in, through and for us, and how He chooses to do so. It could also help to balance doctrinal difference which divide seekers and believers from each other. For example, Tozer is a trinitarian, a fact that may be sufficient to turn oneness believers away from his writings; I think that would be unfortunate.

Tozer spends quite a bit of space talking about the absolute need for separation from the world and is careful to warn that the world may not be what we think it is, and says, "...whether the world presents itself in its uglier aspects or in its subtler and more refined forms, we must recognize it for what it is and repudiate it bluntly. We MUST do this if we would walk with God in our generation as Enoch did in his. A clean break with the world is imperative" (p. 127). He talks about the Pharisaical spirit as one with which the Lord Jesus Christ was engaged in active warfare during His entire ministry on earth, and this spirit as one which did not stop until it had murdered Jesus.

There can be no union between the Church and the world, and Tozer describes that travesty in Chapter 9, "Why the World Cannot Receive," when he says that we have tried to marry the Church and the world, a union for which there is no scriptural authority, and in fact, one in which no union is possible, and he says what we end up with is an abomination to the Lord (p. 116). We need to remember that God is not just jealous over us, as individual children of His, but as "Ish" (ideal husband) is jealous over us as His bride, and desires to keep us pure, holy unto Himself and Himself alone.

Without using the term Jezebel spirit, Tozer describes it quite well, "The world's spirit is strong, and it clings to us as close as the smell of smoke to our garments. It can change its face to suit any circumstance and so deceive many a simple Christian whose senses are not exercised to discern good and evil. It can play at religion with every appearance of sincerity. It can have fits of conscience...and even confess its evil ways in the public press. It will praise religion and fawn on the Church for its ends. It will contribute to charitable causes and promote campaigns to furnish clothing for the poor. ONLY LET CHRIST KEEP HIS DISTANCE AND NEVER ASSERT HIS LORDSHIP OVER IT. This it will positively not endure" (p. 121). Those interested in reading more about the Jezebel spirit may want to start with Confronting Jezebel: Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control and My Spiritual Inheritance, the author of which also recommends Jezebel Vs. Elijah: The Great End Time Clash, a book I have not yet read, but understand it is very good on the subject.

God's Pursuit of Man is worthwhile reading, as is The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst For the Divine.

One of the best books I have ever read. This book captures the heart of the gospel - that it is really God who pursues man and not man who pursues God. He has in His plan from the foundation of the world been in pursuit of us. He created us, watched us fall in the garden, used His chosen people to demonstrate grace and then at the planned moment in time sent His Son out of eternity into the world as the only way back to Him.

As with his other book, Tozer works mightily to describe what should be the aim and walk of every true believer. His words are carefully chosen and his sentences pregnant with heavy truths.

I have used this book for my morning devotions for 2 main reasons. First, unlike most devotion books, Tozer does not try to offer you a witty quote or few sentences for the day - but will rightly engage your whole person in important truths spanning some 10 pages per chapter. Finally something one can chew, ponder and pray over.
Second, what Tozer writes is not milk by any stretch. His insights into the trinity, the entanglements of the world and our refusal to truly follow the cross of Christ are heavy items for long reflection. He is gentle but unflinching in his appraisal of false Christianity and the diluted teachings of the church. With support from Scripture, Tozer points every believer to cast away the world and its lies, while teaching us to reverence and love all three persons of the Godhead.
Tozer fills the gap in presenting Scripture and insights into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He does not leave any out and further, claims that to do so is deny the other two.

I encourage the reading of Tozer for the deepening of your walk with God, your fashioning yourself after Christ, and securing the indwelling Spirit.

I am a HUGE A.W. Tozer fan...Having read many of his books. It is certainly "strong medicine" for the true Believer. I find myself stopping often to drop to my knees to ask for forgiveness...The Holy Spirit really does grip you page by page! Beware, you will find where your really nasty sin lies...And it is Wonderful!!!

I am not going to go any further than to say, if you are looking for an author to give you real experience to help you on your spiritual journey, Mr. Tozer was truly blessed and is one of God's true Prophets. But....

Don't stop there...Go on to The Pursuit of God, Mystery of the Holy Spirit (true gold classics), The Attributes of God, and the Root of Righteousness. They will SURELY bless you! And when you're done...Read them again...And then again. Then give them away and Bless someone you love.

This book was highly recommended by a friend and it surpassed my expectations. Filled with biblical truths, this book is for those who seek a deeper understanding and relationship with God. A short book containing only 10 chapters, it was not a fast read due to the depth of the subject matter. This book is worth reading more than once.

This book is simply but strongly written. It's message is very potent and not for the faint of heart. It challenges you to take a very honest look at your relationship with God. It inspires you to look for who God really is, to know Him, not just know ABOUT Him.
I would recommend any of Tozer's books, but especially this one and the book that came before it, "The Pursuit of God", if you are looking for that "Someone there" and that something more and that something real that seems to be lacking in our faith and belief in God. God IS searching for us to know Him For REAL, so keep looking for Him, you will find Him.

Please, don't read only once this book. Open your heart for the powerful things that Tozer shares with us in this book, read as much as you can with all prayer and you will be encourage to seek higher things in God.

A.W. Tozer was a giant in the Earth. With fearlessness, he serves up hard-to-digest truth on the platter of anyone bold enough to venture into this realm. It's not that the writing is impossible to decipher. The problem arises in that Tozer does not sugarcoat the gospel to make anyone feel good about themselves and their theology. This book was gratifying to me because it confirmed that the assessments I have made during my spiritual journey are in line with his conclusions. Powerful and succinct writing combined with liberating but yet captivating truth is an awesome combination. Tozer is one of few who produces this combination, a sure sign that the Holy Spirit that Tozer writes about was definitely a guiding force in his life.
Donald James Parker
Author of Reforming the Potter's Clay

Tozer is always wonderful to read; however, like reading his books, I am always having to go back and listen to what he says again and again. For those that want to truly seek GOD and all of His Glory, I highly recommend this audio!!!