The Root Of The Righteous

"These chapters came into being over a period of about five years and were written in many places and under a variety of interesting circumstances. They are in no sense quiet religious essays, but were born in the midst of life; and while they have, as I hope, heaven in full view, they are never too far removed from the rough world where the children of God struggle and work and pray."

"These chapters came into being over a period of about five years and were written in many places and under a variety of interesting circumstances. They are in no sense quiet religious essays, but were born in the midst of life; and while they have, as I hope, heaven in full view, they are never too far removed from the rough world where the children of God struggle and work and pray."

"What a man is must be shown to be more important than what he does." In the Church today, there is a great emphasis on results, influence, impact, words, and actions. However, these outward manifestations of righteousness are meant to be the product of a heart deeply rooted in the love of Jesus Christ. In this prescient and wisdom-rich book, The Root of the Righteous, A.W. Tozer urges believers to fix their gaze—not on visible fruit—but on Jesus Himself, to focus their efforts on planting deep roots in Him. With a true devotion to knowing Christ Jesus, to following Him, to walking in His ways, the highly-valued fruit is simply and inevitably a product of communion with His all-powerful, ever-loving presence. A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) was an influential voice in evangelical American Christianity. As a pastor and an author, he challenged the hearts and minds of believers with his fierce intellect and heartfelt invitations, always with one goal in mind: that people would come to know God deeply, intimately, and truly. In The Root of the Righteous, Tozer's ferocity and passion shine through, as he calls readers into deeper union with Jesus and ultimately into the true life of the Church. In this compilation of short meditations, Tozer reveals that in order to plant immovable roots in Jesus, the Christian must: Listen to God Receive His counsel Enjoy His presence Know Scripture Be inspired by the Spirit Commit whole-heartedly Refuse complacency Tozer says, “The message 'Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27) needs to be restored to the Church.” This is the central decree of The Root of the Righteous: that the abiding presence of Jesus, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, in the hearts of believers is indeed the hope of the world. Through true intimacy with Christ, real, lasting fruit flourishes—righteousness flourishes—the very fruit that the world longs for.

New York Times bestseller What is Jesus worth to you? It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily... But who do you know who lives like that? Do you? In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus. Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment -- a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.

Much has been written of late about what the apostle Paul really meant when he spoke of justification by faith, not the works of the law. This short study by Stephen Westerholm carefully examines proposals on the subject by Krister Stendahl, E. P. Sanders, Heikki Raisanen, N. T. Wright, James D. G. Dunn, and Douglas A. Campbell. In doing so, Westerholm notes weaknesses in traditional understandings that have provoked the more recent proposals, but he also points out areas in which the latter fail to do justice to the apostle. Readers of this book will gain not only a better grasp of the ongoing theological debate about justification but also a more nuanced overall understanding of Paul.

Pastor John Piper shows how to sever the clinging roots of sin that ensnare us, including anxiety, pride, shame, impatience, covetousness, bitterness, despondency, and lust in Battling Unbelief. When faith flickers, stoke the fire. No one sins out of duty. We sin because it offers some promise of happiness. That promise enslaves us, until we believe that God is more desirable than life itself (Psalm 63:3). Only the power of God’s superior promises in the gospel can emancipate our hearts from servitude to the shallow promises and fleeting pleasures of sin. Delighting in the bounty of God’s glorious gospel promises will free us for a less sin-encumbered life, to the glory of Christ. Rooted in solid biblical reflection, this book aims to help guide you through the battles to the joys of victory by the power of the gospel and its superior pleasure.

True religion confronts earth with heaven and brings eternity to bear upon time. The messenger of Christ, though he speaks from God, must also, as the Quakers used to say, "speak to the condition" of his hearers; otherwise he will speak a language known only to himself. His message must be not only timeless but timely. He must speak to his own generation. The message of this book does not grow out of these times but it is appropriate to them. It is called forth by a condition which has existed in the Church for some years and is steadily growing worse. I refer to the loss of the concept of majesty from the popular religious mind. The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshipping men. This she has done not deliberately, but little by little and without her knowledge; and her very unawareness only makes her situation all the more tragic.