I hope it is no secret that I am a Christian. I have the audacity to actually believe in the historical merit and accuracy of the Bible, and it is on that basis that my faith grows. I do not believe this based merely on a feeling, but on the same iron clad conviction that I think there was a human named Julius Caesar or Socrates or Elizabeth I…the historical record compels me. So, my writing here is attempting to help you Live Well…and for me that is a life built on the foundation of a relationship with Jesus. I want you to know my best friend the way I know him.
But, I do not ask you to enter into that relationship lightly. C.S. Lewis speaks to the challenging issue of this relationship in Mere Christianity. You can find the excerpt also in A Year with C.S. Lewis for July 10. Lewis says that Jesus, “warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see the job through. Whatever suffering in may cost you in your earthly life, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, until you are literally perfect–until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’”
Not the typical Christian message that suggests becoming a Christian is no big deal or that doing so will somehow make you rich or give you a life of ease in this world. The experience of the most persecuted group of humans currently on the planet (no, it is not the LBTG crowd nor the illegal immigrants), current modern day Christians, speaks to counter the typical American message about Christianity. Even CNN posted an editorial saying “Persecution of Christians is one of the greatest human rights violations in the world today — and certainly the one least known in the West.”
My friends know that I’m not a “typical Christian” so perhaps they aren’t surprised to see me quoting Lewis’ honest portrayal of how Jesus called people. Honestly. With love. With joy, yes…but with the truth. The road is narrow and hard. But it is the only road to life. I pray you will take it with me.