Infinitive Importance of Christianity
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinitive importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important. -C.S.Lewis
Hence, I think there is no way we can be half-way Christians. We need to embrace the whole gospel or none of it. We need to embrace the whole faith or none of it. Like Augustine has said “If you believe what you like in the gospel and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” That seems to be the postmodern way of life: pick and choose what you like. But that is not what we are called to do. We are called to believe in God and not in ourselves.
Christian faith can’t have moderately important place in your life. God wants to be first in your life. God wants everything. But He gives back much, much more: abundant life now and forever.
Christian faith really is a matter of life and death. It sure has infinitive importance. What kind of place it has in your life? What is God whispering in your ear today? What do you choose?
Gracious God,
Help us to choose wisely.
Help us to focus on you in the midst of everything.
Let us feel your loving presence.
Let us hear your voice.
Embrace us with your grace.
Show us the infinitive importance of you.
Show us how to live out our faith in you.
Show us how to serve you in this world.
Embrace us with your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
2 thoughts on “Infinitive Importance of Christianity”
So true, everything you said. But not a simple topic at all. There´s always the matter of interpretation of the Bible. I choose not to believe literally every word of it. I choose not to accept any religious violence because of fundamental interpretation. How can I be a true christian and choose what may be cultural or historical context and what may be universal truth in the Bible? So help me God to find the difference, because I don´t want to be half-way christian!
Thank you for your comment! Yes, you are right, it is not a simple topic and I will continue to explore it in my future posts. I think, you are doing all right, though. Sounds like your heart is on fire for God! A half-way Christian is someone who does not value the gift of grace and does not want to change his/her focus from him/herself to God. In my opinion, it is not a matter of interpretation of the Bible that much but a matter of taking the Bible seriously and putting it into practice. As a rule of thumb I like to follow Martin Luther's advice about keeping central everything in the Bible 'that leads to Christ' and the rest is pretty much details. Unfortunately, people often argue over these details more than the gospel itself. I don't see Christianity as a set of rules to follow but as an active relationship with our Living God: listening to Him, walking with Christ, and asking the Holy Spirit open our spiritual eyes as we read the Bible. Abundant blessings to you. May God guide you clearly.