Talk to me about the truth of religion and I'll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I'll listen submissively. But don't come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don't understand.
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963, British academic, writer, Christian apologist)
John 15:18-21
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. (HCSB)
We speak often of the peace that we have within us as Christians, but I think we often fail to communicate to new Christians the cost of this peace. The Truth that God has given us through Christ is always a point of contention. If you have the best the competition will automatically focus on what you have to find its weaknesses.
Northrop Frye, Canadian writer, put it this way; “The recurrent tendency in religion is to replace the object of its worship with its present understanding and forms of approach to that object.” You see, this is the point that C.S. Lewis was making. We make a mistake when we try to remold Him into something that we like, or that is not as offensive to the world.
The Truth is that if you love the Lord, you are already a target for retribution. Satan is angry, he has lost the battle and Jesus has won. Your very salvation is salt in the wounds of “The Prince of the World, the devil himself. So, now you can understand better why it is our duty to protect the “Truth,” and share it with the world. We have peace within, but in the world, affliction. But, Christ left us these comforting words, “I have overcome the world…God Bless.
Pastor William
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963, British academic, writer, Christian apologist)
John 15:18-21
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. (HCSB)
We speak often of the peace that we have within us as Christians, but I think we often fail to communicate to new Christians the cost of this peace. The Truth that God has given us through Christ is always a point of contention. If you have the best the competition will automatically focus on what you have to find its weaknesses.
Northrop Frye, Canadian writer, put it this way; “The recurrent tendency in religion is to replace the object of its worship with its present understanding and forms of approach to that object.” You see, this is the point that C.S. Lewis was making. We make a mistake when we try to remold Him into something that we like, or that is not as offensive to the world.
The Truth is that if you love the Lord, you are already a target for retribution. Satan is angry, he has lost the battle and Jesus has won. Your very salvation is salt in the wounds of “The Prince of the World, the devil himself. So, now you can understand better why it is our duty to protect the “Truth,” and share it with the world. We have peace within, but in the world, affliction. But, Christ left us these comforting words, “I have overcome the world…God Bless.
Pastor William
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