C. S. Lewis: God will make us good because He loves us

“The Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. They hope, by being good, to please God if there is one; or — if they think there is not — at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.”

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in Mere Christianity (New York: Harper Collins, 1980) 64.

Learning of the power of the love of God in our lives and growing up in a greenhouse are two realities that combined to make this a special post for me. Let’s celebrate the Christ-life inside us by walking in the light of His love, and in so doing, God will make us good because He loves us.

“This is the ultimate paradox: when we are most attached to God, then we are sufficiently detached from everything else, to the point where we can truly enjoy and delight in the rest of creation. Instead of being possessed by our possessions, we are free at last to be possessed by God in whose possession and service–even slavery–we discover the reality of true and perfect freedom.”

Michael Marshall in The Transforming Power of Prayer: From Illusion to Reality (London: Continuum, 2011) 53.

Attachment to God not only positions us for generosity, it actually marks the only path for delighting in all that God has made. And if that is not profound enough, slavery to God represents the only pathway to freedom and life. No wonder Jesus wants us to let go of stuff. It frees us to cling to him and positions us for enjoyment and sharing.

“We live in the most affluent culture in the most affluent period of human history. If we can’t discipline ourselves to learn the joys of generous living, I think we are an embarrassment to the gospel.”

Neil Oliver as recounted by Brian McLaren in A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008) 161.

These are sobering words! So that our lives reflect the gospel, let us resolve to discipline ourselves to enjoy and share God’s blessings to us. In so doing we will bring fame rather than shame to the gospel and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Our good Master gives Himself to His true servants and fills their every desire and longing, as much as they want and beyond, and fills them with every good thing, keeping nothing back, and generously provides them unceasingly with incorruptible and everlasting delight.”

Symeon the New Theologian (c. 949-1022) in Ethical Discourses as recounted in The Quotable Saint, ed. R.E. Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 221.

Some experiences can only described as gifts from God. After returning from an amazing trip to Korea, I am off to KC this morning to attend World Series game two tonight with my close friend and MLB historian, Dan Busby. Many know him as president of the ECFA. Through him, God has provided a ticket to my 17th World Series, and even better, we get to enjoy a day of fellowship together!

“What regret would be yours at the hour of death, should you see yourself deprived of the crown which awaits you if you are faithful in generously following the light that our Lord gives you. And, to tell the truth, you will only find peace and rest when you have sacrificed all for God.”

Mary Margaret (1647-1690) in Life and Writings of St Margaret Mary as recounted in The Quotable Saint, ed. R.E. Guiley (New York, 2002) 233.

Let’s live with no regrets and sacrifice all for God. Except it’s not really a sacrifice because in the words of Paul to the church in Philippi. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain! Philippians 1:21

“Do not let your peace depend on what is outside you; you will see that our Lord will supply for everything when you are satisfied with Him alone, and you will find more in Him than all creatures together.”

Claude de la Colombière (1641-1682) in a letter as recounted in The Quotable Saint, ed. by R. E. Guiley (New York, 2002) 197.

Do we live and give like we believe God is our supply and satisfaction? When we don’t, our fearful hoarding, materialistic spending, and/or lack of generosity are likely symptoms of spiritual heart trouble. When we do, we take hold of peace and are positioned for generosity. This week in Korea we have been blessed to meet Christian leaders who exhibit peace rooted in the belief God is their supply and satisfaction.

Dear [Gaius], you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God…We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. 3 John 5-6, 8

“Gaius…had gone out of his way to be generous. Those from John’s church who had visited Gaius had come back with a glowing report, and part of the reason for this letter seems to be to thank him. This is love in action…love for the early Christians was not primarily something you did with your heart and emotions. It was something you did with your whole life, not least your money and your home. So it had been with Gaius.”

N. T. Wright in Early Christian Letters for Everyone: James, Peter, John, and Judah (Louisville: WJKP, 2011) 185.

I must pause in Seoul today to honor Sung Wook Chung.

Like Gaius, he faithfully serves the Korean church as a leading theologian and author. This week, he has assisted John Van Drunen and me in opening the doors of ministry between the ECFA in the USA and churches and ministries in Korea through the formation of the CCFK.

Though we don’t return to the USA until Tuesday, we (like the delegation from John’s church in 3 John) will have a glowing report thanks to his assistance, his love in action, and the hospitality of Sarang Church.

Let’s all be like Gaius and go out of our way to be generous and to work together as individuals and congregations for the sake of the gospel.

“Churches that nurture the practice of extravagant generosity take seriously the stewardship of the resources entrusted to them by their members. They take extraordinary precautions to protect the integrity of their financial systems by providing proper checks and balances for those who handle money, preparing regular and accurate financial reports for church leaders and for anyone who requests them and furnishing annual audits to appropriate trustees and financial officers. They operate with transparency, knowing that trust is the currency of financial leadership in the church and that confidence in the motives and competence of staff and volunteers is essential to cultivate giving.”

Robert Schnase in Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (Nashville: Abingdon, 2007) 122.

Today is a historic day for God’s church in Seoul, South Korea. On behalf of Dan Busby, president of the ECFA, and joined by John Van Drunen, VP and General Counsel of the ECFA, I am signing an MOU to extend encouragement and commendation to Korean leaders for the formation of the CCFK, the Christian Counsel for Financial Transparency in Korea, a separate and distinct entity to serve Christian ministries in Korea.

Like the ECFA in the USA, the CCFK will help churches and ministries enhance trust through greater financial transparency and avoid issues that can hinder (and have hindered) the the spread of the gospel. Through the collective commitment of CCFK members to faithful administration, we pray that God’s people will generously participate in God’s work and ministries will be positioned for Kingdom fruitfulness for God’s glory.

“We cannot belong to ourselves: we must belong to God or to our passions. We have only the one choice of the one yoke or the other. Which appears the most honorable?”

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) in Spiritual Exercises as recounted in The Quotable Saint, ed. by R. E. Guiley (New York, 2002) 179.

Many of us spend ourselves pursuing our passions rather than pursuing God and this shows in our credit card statements. We often do this because we have the misconception that if we choose God, we lose enjoyment. Alternatively, God’s Word teaches us that when we sacrifice everything to take hold of Christ’s life [zoe], we will enjoy one hundredfold blessings mixed with suffering now (cf. Mark 10:29-30) and we will enter the unfathomable eternal joy of our Master (cf. Matt 25:21, 23; 1 Cor 2:9). Please choose wisely (cf. Mark 8:36).

“When we coddle the flesh in order to foster its desires, then the passion becomes evil and self-indulgence gives rise to the carnal passions and renders the soul diseased.”

Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) in a letter To The Most Reverend Nun Xenia as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. R.E. Guiley (New York, 2002) 192.

With all the concern about physical infections like ebola, perhaps we should be mindful of protecting our souls from spiritual disease? To do this we must mortify rather than foster the desires of the flesh, as such activity “diseases” the soul (cf. 1 Timothy 5:6) leading to self-indulgence rather than unselfish generosity and sharing. God help us.