The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (1952; Harper Collins: 2001) 199.
There have been many seaons over the years I've been saying I'm following Christ (59 and counting) when I wanted to leave the church because it sometimes seems to repel people from Christ, not draw them to Him. God hasn't given me the "green light" to do that, and I think it's because of what it says in John 13:35 where you can see what Jesus said about it - that everyone will recognize that we are His disciples when they see the love we have for each other. Doing that in the church is what keeps me there. It's not easy, is it?
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it's not easy. That's when we must rely on Christ the most, to show his love through us.
ReplyDeleteHere at the Mere C.S. Lewis, we love you Mary for posting the most Narnian avatar pic! Well done! I just happened upon my son this weekend as he was watching The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I'd be wanting to re-watch the ending when the four children have grown up and happen upon the lamp post while hunting the white stag. That scene was very well done in the movie.
Andy, what I take from Lewis – and I'm going on memory here, not a particular passage – is that God must work the change in us, not we ourselves. If we will let Him, God will come in, dismantle our "old" selves, and build us anew. (I believe Lewis even compares this process to the tearing down and rebuilding of a house in some passage.) And yes... the goal He has in mind is to make us like Christ. But I don't think Lewis envisions us reaching that goal in this earthly realm... only drawing closer to it. I think Lewis sees this life as a temporary stop where we are gradually "refined" – if we will allow it – and made ready to assume our eternal place with God...
ReplyDeleteAndy, what I take from Lewis – and I'm going on memory here, not a particular passage – is that God must work the change in us, not we ourselves. If we will let Him, God will come in, dismantle our "old" selves, and build us anew. (I believe Lewis even compares this process to the tearing down and rebuilding of a house in some passage.) And yes... the goal He has in mind is to make us like Christ. But I don't think Lewis envisions us reaching that goal in this earthly realm... only drawing closer to it. I think Lewis sees this life as a temporary stop where we are gradually "refined" – if we will allow it – and made ready to assume our eternal place with God...
ReplyDeleteSorry! I was playing around with the new comment system. Didn't mean to post twice!
ReplyDeleteWhat "JACK" is stating above I wholeheartedly concur. There are some quotes from an obscure book entitled "A Drink at Joel's Place" by Jess Moody printed in 1967.
ReplyDelete"We are a church. The name church implies God. God means miracle. If we say we are a church and we cannot come up with a miracle, they think we are phony. So we must provide The Miracle or we have no justification for being, and no right to expect anyone to pay any attention to us."
"What type of miracle you ask. The miracle of a different and better fellowship."
"How superior is the fellowship at the church to that of two old friends fishing? .....or playing golf?"
"How much better is the sense of enjoyment among the saints to that of a well-organized county club? Can an average man really find more compassionate understanding at his church than he can at Joe's Bar? Is his pastor as willing to listen as a bartender?"
"There is one thing that the modern pagan finds in a bar that he cannot find in an unspiritual church, and that is fellowship."
He likens the modern church to a bar. "A bar always provides the intoxication it advertises."
"The bar has become the church of the secular city. The church must provide more enjoyment, better fellowship, anonymity, and the intoxication it advertises or cease to exist."