For if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13
“Does Christianity encourage morbid introspection? The alternative is much more morbid. Those who do not think about their own sins make up for it by thinking incessantly about the sins of others. It is healthier to think of one’s own. It is the reverse of morbid. It is not even, in the long run, very gloomy.
A serious attempt to repent and really to know one’s own sins is in the long run a lightening and relieving process. Of course, there is bound to be a first dismay and often terror and later great pain, yet that is much less in the long run than the anguish of a mass of unrepented and unexamined sins, lurking in the background of our minds.
It is the difference between the pain of the tooth about which you should go to the dentist, and the simple straight-forward pain which you know is getting less and less every moment when you have had the tooth out.”
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in his essay, “Miserable Offenders,” in God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics, edited by Walter Hooper (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970) 97.
Happy New Year. My word for 2025 is “examine” and I chose to start this study by going to the writings of my favorite professor of the modern era, C.S. Lewis, to get his thoughts on the topic.
As always, Lewis does not disappoint.
He teaches us that the distinctly Christian work of putting to death the deeds of the flesh through introspection may sound morbid, but the alternative is even more dreadful.
Think about it. If we want to grow in living, giving, serving, and loving generously, we must look honestly at our lives, and as Lewis puts it, really know our own sins and repent.
I ended 2024 by getting a physical. I went to the good doctor Chris Courtney. He’s been a trusted friend for 25 years. I went not because I was sick, but because I want to stay healthy.
I want to be the best possible person physically and spiritually. As Lewis says, the pain will be “much less in the long run than the anguish of a mass of unrepented and unexamined sins.” Join me in the journey of examine this year.
Chris ran blood work to see if I have any issues there but recommended a hearing test and a colonoscopy in 2025. I will plan these tests when not traveling. Today I head to Florida for 3 days.
I will examine my parent’s situation. Examine relates not just to me by my relationships.
God help us examine our ways, return to you in 2025 and be our best possible selves as vessels made ready for service to you. Do this by your Holy Spirit I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
And praise God, GTP reached 100 monthly givers by the yesterday. Now we can submit that major grant. I’ll work on edits to that request to hire 2-3 more people on my flights this week.