It is not for us to say who, in the deepest sense, is or is not close to the spirit of Christ. We do not see into men's hearts. We cannot judge, and are indeed forbidden to judge. It would be wicked arrogance for us to say that any man is, or is not, a Christian in this refined sense….And obviously a word which we can never apply is not going to be a useful word.
…When a man who accepts the Christian doctrine lives unworthily of it, it is much clearer to say he is a bad Christian than to say he is not a Christian.
C.S. Lewis – Mere Christianity
Lewis then goes on to say then in the search we end up in a hall that leads us to a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. Some will wait longer than others in finding the door they must knock at. Once we enter the door that may represent our personal place of ministry we more than likely feel that the wait was of some help in finding that what we sought. Perhaps you have an inner peace at having found God’s will for you in Jesus Christ this place puts us in a position of obedience to Jesus Christ and his commandment of “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” we are required to pray for those who may still be in the hall and not to judge we are under orders to “pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.
Now in regards to the label of “Bad Christian” I think we need to, no we must examine further the very reality of the conditions that breed “Bad Christians”. The condition of the Christian Church is the best place to start. This blog is all about the Christian church as a whole or the whole body of Christ if you will. The very URL of this blog in and of itself asks a question; http://whatisthechristianchurch.blogspot.com/ and the title “The Christian Church Blog…” are synonymous and asks that we pursue the answer diligently, whole heartedly and as we stand in the hall seeking, knocking and pursuing truth. If only to help each other find the room or rooms we belong. C.S. Lewis suggests that our denominational differences are best left to the experts and not for the laypersons to decide. Not to mention that Jesus Christ himself calls us to move past the circular argument (also called petitio principii) as to why we must be a “Good Christian” and focus and meditate on the scriptural order to; “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”. So if you are offended by another you should use the Mathew 18:15-20 biblical principle of confrontation which is a three part process but you also must be open to being wrong yourself that is why every word must be established in truth when confronting a sinning brother.
1. Have you examined your motivations before confronting
2. Are you willing to admit that you may be wrong yourself
3. Are you doing it to help your brother in the cessation of the ban, of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil?
We must try to pursue truth and the ability to communicate with each other in truth and move away from what C.S. Lewis called the “Law of Nature” I personally am aware that some of us can spend so much time criticizing others that we are not able to hear what God may be saying through other believers to us. And I do believe God is trying to speak through each of us. And that we as believers owe it to each other the ability of attempting to hear each other in truth, patience and love without judgment.
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
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