27 January 2005

Being Good (according to Clive Staples)

"That is why 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." --from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

I simultaneously dig this thought by Clive and wrestle with it. What do I do with the young men who killed Bernie? They were not good, and they certainly were not on a path longing to be good. Still I believe God must love even them.

Though I guess a filthy, neglected greenhouse could have all of the sun in the world beaming on it. If it does not get rid of the muck on its windows, however, the sun never illuminates it. Alright, Clive, I hear ya.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Good stuff!