A Counselor Reflects on Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
“But pleasure, money, power and safety are all, as far as they go, good things. The badness consists in pursuing them by the wrong method, or in the wrong way, or too much. I do not mean, of course, that the people who do this are not desperately wicked. I do mean that wickedness, when you examine it, turns out to be the pursuit of some good in the wrong way (p. 42).” Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The phrase, “Is it so bad for me to want [blank]?” is a dangerous question. It is a chief culprit of many a discussion, turned argument, turned broken relationship. The speaker feels completely justified in his/her actions (notice the change from desire/want to behavior/attitude) because his/her motive was legitimate.
The conversation can go in dozens of satirical directions:
- “I guess I don’t know anything if it is wrong to want that.”
- “Well, tell me you wouldn’t be upset if you had to do without that.”
- “I read a book and it said this was a ‘need’ of people.”
- “If you don’t do/give what I want, then you’ll have to do without what you want.”
The problem is that the speaker does not hear what he/she is saying. The reason process goes like this:
- If I have a good desire
- Then my actions are righteous
- You are mean, crazy, insensitive, or stupid if you do not cooperate
The striking thing about what C.S. Lewis has to say is that “desperately wicked” people want good things. That should cause us to pause.
What does it mean to pursue a good thing in the wrong way?
- To love that thing in a way that results in replacing God as our source of joy, security, contentment, identity, hope, or peace. Notice how in the dialogue snippets above the absence of the “good desire” is perceived as a threat.
- To love that thing in a way that allows us to dishonor, ignore, cheat, violate, or abuse another person in the pursuit of what we want. Notice how in the dialogue snippets above the other person is demeaned and trivialized in the pursuit of the “good desire.”
As I consider this (again), I realize how much my greatest battle is within me. It is so easy to be blind to this. I can go through my day pursuing the things God wants me to have and quickly/quietly drift into idolizing those desires and demonizing my closest companions—the whole time providing proof texts and research to substantiate my blindness.
What is the answer to this dilemma? Humility expressed in community. Notice how little listening is going on in the conversation snippets above. Humility invites critique (both of desire and pursuit). However, unless we are regularly inviting people to speak into our lives this way we will not have the attitude or access to receive perspective in our moments of temptation.
Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 2:15 pm. Add a comment
Thorn in the Flesh (12:7)
I believe both the timing and vagueness of this verse are significant for its application. Paul discusses the humbling effect of his “thorn” right after discussing an incredible experience that could have easily caused pride (2 Cor 12:1-6). Paul viewed his character as more important than his comfort, therefore he could see the goodness of God in stripping his comfort to protect his character.
Yet the “thorn” is also vague. While the best guesses seem to be sight impairment from the Damascus road experience, it is impossible to be sure. I believe Paul (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) used a metaphor to describe his ailment instead of a precise description so that we would be better able to relate to God’s work in Paul’s life.
Reflection: Can you see the goodness of God in the midst of your suffering? Admittedly, this is a very difficult question. Paul came back to God at least three times before he could answer it affirmatively. Does your struggle to see God’s goodness come from valuing comfort more than the refinement of your character? When you speak of your suffering do you consider the way others may be reading their experience of suffering onto your words (2 Cor 1:3-5)?
Sufficient Grace
(BCH_2Cor_12_handout for Printable PDF Handout)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9),” are some of the sweetest and most difficult to apply words (personally, not abstractly) in all of Scripture. These are words we can cling to in the darkest night of our soul, yet when we try to figure out what to “do” with them it gets hard.
Almost by definition (God’s power in our weakness), the “application” of these verses will be an altered perspective rather than a set of steps. This sanctified perspective emerges from three concepts.
- Redefined Weakness (“Therefore I will boast all the more of my weakness, so that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor 12:9b): Paul so lived for God that anything—including his own weaknesses—that pointed people to the greatness of God was a reason for celebration. Paul’s life was so not about himself, that insecurity was an irrelevant concern. Yet neither did he become a doormat—by being a people-pleaser—because that also would have defamed God (2 Cor 10).
- Contentment (“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities”2 Cor 12:10a): What an amazing list. It captures most every dimension of human suffering. Once Paul’s life became about proclaiming the sufficiency of God’s grace, then every moment of suffering became an opportunity to proclaim, “God is more satisfying than this suffering is disheartening.”
- Redefined Strength (“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:10b): In a world that constantly tried to measure “good enough,” what a liberating statement! The best part is that Paul did not wait until everyone agreed with that statement before he lived in its freedom. But by living in the emotional freedom that Christ’s strength defined him more than his weakness, Paul’s “boldness” opened many doors to share the message of God’s sufficient grace.
As you face your own forms of suffering, and subsequent insecurities or fears, walk through this passage asking God to change your perspective rather than telling you what to “do” next.
Seeking Not Yours But You (12:14)
What a great definition of love! So often our loving is a self-centered seeking or savoring of something about the other person. In this case Paul was saying I was not seeking your money (see 2 Cor 9), but we could legitimately transfer this principle to attractiveness, intelligence, humor, touch, or power. But Paul would say that a love that pursues another primarily for what it gets from the other person is still an immature, selfish love.
Rather Paul says, “I was seeking you. I long to see you redeemed and enjoying Christ more than anything else you could give me in return. You were the ‘cake’ and I did not care if it came with ‘icing.’” Paul goes on to compare this love to the love parents have for their children (a mature love); a love that gets joy out of seeing the joy of their beloved grow.
Reflection: Are you a mature lover? Do you measure relationships based upon what they have to offer to you? Do you tend to insist on things being done the way you enjoy them? Can you take delight in the interest of another person and be deeply satisfied by their enjoyment? This is not natural for any of us, but is harder for some than others. Pray earnestly that God would make you a mature lover.
Introduction to the “Living Our Faith” series.
TOOL: “Using Prayer Time to Cultivate Ministry”
BLOG POST: “Teachers Equipping Ministers Through Prayer Time“
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 12:37 pm. Add a comment
Chapter 5 Verse 1:
It is important to remember that James was writing to refugee Christians chased from their homes in Jerusalem. Now they were starting over in new countries. They had to take bottom of the totem pole jobs; jobs where they would be taken advantage of by rich people. James is addressing the oppressors of his audience. James is bringing comfort to his readers by offering God’s perspective on their oppressor. In order to make appropriate application we need to hear not only the dangers of how wealth can corrupt morals, but also see how God used James to comfort the oppressed. When you consider the passage in this light, how does it change the way you apply content?
Chapter 5 Verse 9:
It is challenging to realize that James gave this instruction regarding complaining to refugee Christians. We wish he had given it to a growing church in the middle of building campaign that was ahead of budget. The reality is suffering breeds dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction breeds grumbling. The audience of James’ writing means that we can never say, “James, you just do not understand my situation.”
However, we should also note that James says not to complain about one another. In the midst of their hardship these displaced believers were tempted to turn on one another. This is also common to human nature.
Consider the following questions when you are in situations like this:
- Who is with/for me in my suffering? These are the people I must not turn on or I will only multiply my sense of isolation.
- What are the real injustices? Go back and read James 5:1-6 and place yourself in the place of the original audience of James. How does this passage strike you in light of your situation?
- Where has God been faithful? You are not alone. James’ letter was a ray of hope that these believers had not been forgotten. James was encouraging the believers not to become divisive and lose God’s faithfulness in their fellowship. What is the equivalent in your situation?
- Where are avenues of ministry? The dispersion of the church from Jerusalem was one of the great missionary movements of all time. James was encouraging these displaced believers to remember their ultimate calling (to take the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth). To whom, when, and how does your current season of suffering allow you to minister to others?
Chapter 5 Verse 16
“Confession and Powerful Prayer”
(Click Here for Printable PDF Handout)
Note that the immediate context of powerful prayer is believers confessing their sin to one another. This has proven to be true in church history. One of the most consistent marks of major revivals has been an increased willingness amongst believers to confess their sin to one another (for an inspirational read on the history of revival consider Malcom McDow and Alvin Ried’s book Firefall: How God Shaped History Through Revivals). I believe there are at least three reasons for this.
First, confession sparks powerful prayer and revival because it is a mark of humility and opens the door to God’s grace. When we fail to confess our sin to one another it can inevitably be traced to some form of pride. In our culture, we have accepted in the now “common sense” phrase “that’s none of their business” as if God intended us to use the concepts of personal business or privacy to conceal our sin and squelch His Spirit in our lives.
Second, confession sparks powerful prayer and revival because now we can pray about those things that are inhibiting the movement of God in our lives. When we are not confessing our sin we pray about things that are not interfering with God’s will in our life. If we are serious about God’s will, we will eagerly confess the sin that blocks it.
Third, confession sparks powerful prayer and revival because it unleashes the power of the Body of Christ in our lives. When we are alone in our sin we are trying to find Satan on his home turf. This is like wrestling an alligator in a swamp. Confessing sin to our trusted Christian friends is like moving the battle with an alligator from the swamp to a tree. His jaws are still fierce and nothing to be played with, but the terrain gives us a fighting chance.
Consider the words of Peter in Acts 3:19-20 as you meditate on these points, “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
Introduction to the “Living Our Faith” series.
TOOL: “Using Prayer Time to Cultivate Ministry“
Posted 2 years, 5 months ago at 2:06 am. Add a comment
Chapter 2 Verses 1-3:
In how many arenas can we show favoritism? In verse one James declares favoritism sin. In verse two he begins “for suppose” or “for if.” James is giving one particular example of what God declares wrong. In order to thoroughly apply this passage, we need to think about more than money. We can show favoritism based on money, education, power, attractiveness, personality, sense of humor, family heritage, height, weight, age, race, gender, occupation, and a long list of other criteria.
Why is favoritism so wrong? We could look at its cultural and relational effects, but I believe it is more to the point to say that favoritism is disruptive because it is heresy. Favoritism, at its root says, certain qualities make one person more valuable than another. There are some aspects of value (righteousness) that some people can contribute to God’s kingdom for which others are deficient. This is a character-based form of works righteousness. It assumes we (or at least some of us) have something we can contribute that makes us more worthy of God’s acceptance. It cheapens grace, by saying there are some people who need more grace than others.
How do we battle this temptation to favoritism? First, we recognize diversity without making value judgments. I Corinthians 12:7-11 recognizes that we are all gifted differently, but affirms that this is by God’s design, for God’s purpose, and should increase (not decrease) unity in the Body of Christ. When we “grade” people based upon non-moral characteristics, then we are in fact “grading” God. Second, we must have a mental economy based upon faithfulness not productivity. This was Jesus’ point in Matthew 25:14-30 “The Parable of the Talents.” Each servant was proportionately judged on his faithfulness not competitively based upon the performance of others. We must recognize that every strength has accompanying weaknesses, every asset comes with time consuming responsibilities, and every ability brings burdens with its opportunities. When we begin to rank these gold (five talents), silver (three talents), and bronze (one talent) we increase the likelihood that men and women will hide their gifts in fear, shame, or insecurity. While, at the same time, we set those up who have the “high gifts” to fall to pride.
Chapter 2 Verse 5
“Blessed are the Poor in Spirit”
(Click Here for a Printable PDF Handout)
James sounds a lot like his big brother when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3).” We could spend our time trying to figure out this “paradox of poorness,” but instead let us accept that those who recognize their poorness (by whatever criteria) are blessed because their dependence upon God is more constant and pervasive to life. Now the question becomes, “How do we take on more of this attribute?”
- Live on less than you make. Besides being discouraged by Scripture (Prov 22:7), debt tends to reveal that we are relying on stuff in unhealthy ways.
- Look for ways to complement others. We have a strong tendency to judge people by our strengths instead of their own. This causes a negative attitude and makes it feel like we have “arrived.”
- Resist the urge to compare yourself to others. Those of us who do not judge others by our strength tend to judge ourselves by others strength. This is the opposite side of the “have” versus “have not” dynamic.
- Regularly do things you are not good at. When we only do things we like and/or are good at, we lose a sense of our need for grace and weakness. This also usually means we are forcing others to live in our preferences instead of loving our neighbor as ourselves.
- Regularly give or volunteer your strength. We can often view our strengths as “ours.” This sense of ownership makes us prideful and territorial. Our strengths are gifts given by God for us to steward for His glory. Giving or volunteering our strengths is a good way to remind ourselves of this.
- Use complements as an opportunity to praise God. Praise can be as simple as saying, “God has given me great joy in doing [blank]. I am glad to know I was able to be a conduit of God’s blessing by using His gifts.”
Introduction to the “Living Our Faith” series.
TOOL: “Using Prayer Time to Cultivate Ministry“
Posted 2 years, 6 months ago at 8:42 pm. Add a comment
Introduction to the “Living Worship” Series
Verse 1:
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing; Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing; Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet; Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise His name – I’m fixed upon it; Name of God’s redeeming love.
Verse of Discontentment:
Each new day I long for something; Hoping it will fill my heart
Desire drives me, peace forsaking; Yearnings cause my mind to dart
How many times I’ve thought “If only!”; God would give me what I ask
God’s patient with hearts so stony; Free me from repeating past
Verse 2:
Hither to Thy love has blest me; Thou hast brought me to this place
And I know Thy hand will bring me; Safely home by Thy good grace
Jesus Sought me when a stranger; Wand’ring from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger; Bought me with His precious blood
Verse of Contentment:
Resting fully in Your blessing; Desires ring with fresh “thank You’s”
For the first time now I’m seeing; What has been in clearest view
Every good thing flows from Your hands; Discontentment blinds my eyes
Now I’m free from my heart’s demands; Joy is contentment’s surprise
Verse 3:
O to grace how great a debtor; Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter; Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.
DEVOTIONAL:
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
& Our Battle for Contentment
(Click Here for PDF Devotional Handout)
In a culture that is so marked by affluence that it might well be called “a land flowing with milk and honey” we struggle to be content. Often like young children three days after Christmas we are so saturated with blessings that we begin to grumble.
As we think about God’s blessing and our battle for contentment, it is helpful to consider the context in which Paul discusses grumbling in I Corinthians 10:9-13 (emphasis added):
We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
In discussing grumbling Paul emphasizes the faithfulness of God. A lack of contentment is a passive-aggressive way of calling into question whether God has been good and faithful.
In the application lyrics to this song the key points being emphasized are (1) that discontentment is a distortion of reality based upon the demands our heart and (2) that contentment unlocks the door to the only source of lasting and true joy.
Posted 2 years, 7 months ago at 8:19 pm. Add a comment
Often we tend to think of contentment as something that we need to “do better at.” It goes in that same general category as watching our weight, exercising, keeping a budget, and biting our tongue. We think I’ll get around to contentment when I get around to working on a few of those other things.
What if contentment were not an activity, but an appetite? Notice the context in which Jesus speaks of satisfaction (here considered a synonym for contentment), “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).” I believe he is saying that there is a correlation between what we hunger for and our level of satisfaction/contentment.
I have been told that when soldiers are trained for the possibility of being stranded at sea that the first point of emphasis is, “Commit to not drink the sea water.” Think about it. Once you have been in the sun for a few hours (or days) you would be thirsty. There is water surrounding you. You take the first salty drink. The salty drink causes greater thirst. With each drink you get thirstier and the increased sodium intake kicks dehydration into overdrive. Death is accelerated and intensified.
Jesus goes on in the Sermon on the Mount to evaluate the “hungers” of many in his day. Some sought to fill their hunger by having a reputation of giving to the poor (Matt 6:1-4), praying with eloquence (Matt 6:5-6), or fasting severely (Matt 6:16-17). Really what they wanted was to be noticed. And Jesus says a strange thing each time, “Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward (Matt 6:2, 5, 16).”
Personally, I do not read sarcasm in Jesus’ voice. They received their reward, but their repetition and grandiosity seems to imply that their reward did not satisfy—produce contentment. Like our poor soldier above, with each attempt to quench their thirst they became thirstier as futility and despair sat in.
We are no different. Our hungers maybe different, but our hearts are not. There are certain things we want (i.e., hunger and thirst for): acceptance, success, significance, money, stuff, freedom, belonging, affection, etc… These are not bad things, but they are bottomless things. There is never enough. Even when we have them, we still wish we could stock pile some for a “rainy day.” Unfortunately, these items do not have a shelf-life.
This brings us back to the beatitude, ““Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).” It is only a hunger and thirst for righteousness that produces satisfaction and then only when we accept the righteousness of Christ on our behalf by faith (2 Cor 5:16-21). It is only this hunger that does not become a slave to performance, trapped in people-pleasing, or corrupted with pride. This is the hunger that produces contentment.
And contentment is attractive. Contentment, like few other character qualities in our day, opens the door for us to be salt and light to our peers (Matt 5:13-16). A heart that is at rest as it works, serves, and loves is a testimony to the Living Water (John 4:10) and Bread of Life (John 6:35). At this point we can communicate clearly that what we have found in Jesus is the daily sustenance that allows us to enjoy every other pleasure (list above) without being driven or controlled.
Praise God for Paul’s words in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Posted 2 years, 8 months ago at 7:42 pm. Add a comment
