In the then Invincible Ignorance…
The following comes from C. S. Lewis’s Surprised by Joy (p181):
“Up till now each visitation of Joy had left the common world momentarily a desert – “The first touch of the earth went nigh to kill.” Even when real clouds or trees had been the material of the vision, they had been so only by reminding me of another world; and I did not like the return to ours. But now I saw the bright shadow coming out of the book into the real world and resting there, transforming all common things and yet itself unchanged. Or, more accurately, I saw the common things drawn into the bright shadow. Unde hoc mihi? In the depth of my disgraces, in the then invincible ignorance of my intellect, all this was given me without asking, even without consent. That night my imagination was, in a certain sense, baptized; the rest of me, not unnaturally, took longer. I had not the faintest notion what I had let myself in for by buying Phantastes.”
The Lord Our Righteousness
The following quote comes from Of First Importance:
“It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ.
There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are perfect in Christ Jesus. It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that Christ is made unto us righteousness, we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all.”
- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, January 31
Beggar Thief —> Beloved Son
The following comes from McKay Caston’s blog:
The gospel is news, declaration and invitation; not instruction.
As Tim Keller says, “I am more sinful than I could dare to admit, but at the same time, because of my substitute Jesus, I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I could ever dare to dream.”
The gospel is not religion. Religion says that I am blessed because of my work and sacrifice for God. The gospel says that I am blessed because of Jesus’ work and sacrifice for me. Yes, I am saved by works, but not myworks. I am saved by his works… the works of Jesus.
Jesus received the justice for my sin so that I could receive the mercy of God.
The gospel tells me that I am reconciled to God not because of what I do for God, but because of what God has done for me in Jesus.
Reconciliation with God is not something that I achieve. It is something that I receive (through faith alone). Seriously. I receive it like a beggar must accept a gift, with no hope of repayment.
It is a beggar thief being told he is now a beloved son
