UECF.NET study companion — original commentary, not the book's own text.
Tozer opens with Christ's letter to the church at Laodicea — a congregation that considers itself rich, increased with goods, and “in need of nothing,” yet is called by Christ wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Revelation 3:14–22). He applies this diagnosis to the modern evangelical church: full of buildings, budgets, programs and confidence, yet missing the one thing Christ actually asks for. “What has happened to our worship?” he asks, pointedly and without much comfort for his readers.
The chapter's argument is simple but searching: busyness for God is not the same as adoration of God. A church can be doctrinally sound and evangelistically active, and still be worship-poor. Tozer is equally hard on a combative, “truth-defending” Christianity that has lost its resemblance to Christ — arguing that Christlike love, not sharper arguments, is what actually draws people to the gospel.
Key points
- The Laodicean temptation is self-sufficiency, not moral collapse — comfort quietly masking spiritual poverty.
- Doctrinal correctness and denominational pride are no substitute for a “genuine and consecrated offering” of worship.
- Zeal for defending the truth must be matched by, not substituted for, love that resembles Christ.
- Tozer's test: a worshiper does eternal work; a worker who does not worship is only piling up wood, hay and stubble.
Scripture (read on NKJV)
- Revelation 3:14–22 — Christ's letter to the church at Laodicea
- Revelation 3:19 — "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."
Reflect
- Where might our own congregation resemble Laodicea — confident in its resources but quiet about its worship?
- What is the difference, in your own life, between “working for God” and “worshiping God”?
- Christ says He disciplines those He loves (Revelation 3:19). How do you respond when it is your worship, not just your behavior, that He is correcting?
Prayer
Lord, forgive us for measuring our health by our activity rather than our adoration. Open our eyes to see where we are self-satisfied, and give us again the poverty of spirit that makes room for true worship. Amen.