"If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why then did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having." C.S. Lewis
The problem, Lewis then continues is that because a free 'self' exists it has the potential to put 'itself' first - "wanting to be the centre - wanting to be God in fact". And this breaks the world - "the machine conks".
What does God do about this? He enters our world, becomes one of us while also remaining God - forgiving our sins we committed in our 'free will'.
So, our salvation focusses on the identity of this God-man Jesus who claims to forgive sins and to be God. Lewis says: "You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, with all the creatures in heaven and earth I want to sing: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Rev 5:13). Amen
Rev. Kruger de Kock
PS: This week I am blogging through a program broadcasted on the BBC in 1942 by C.S. Lewis, later republished in a book called 'Mere Christianity'. As an acclaimed academic he converted from Atheism to Christianity late in life. In a society blighted by two world wars at the time, there was a lot of questions about the existence of God and Lewis seemed to have the faith to answer it.
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If you ever wanted to make a financial contribution to the ministry of both churches, here's our bank details in the UK:
City Life London (Incorporating Canada Water Church and Surrey Docks Church - Charity Number 1138684).
Bank Details: City Life London
Sort Code: 40-03-16 (HSBC)
Account Number: 31668404
The problem, Lewis then continues is that because a free 'self' exists it has the potential to put 'itself' first - "wanting to be the centre - wanting to be God in fact". And this breaks the world - "the machine conks".
What does God do about this? He enters our world, becomes one of us while also remaining God - forgiving our sins we committed in our 'free will'.
So, our salvation focusses on the identity of this God-man Jesus who claims to forgive sins and to be God. Lewis says: "You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, with all the creatures in heaven and earth I want to sing: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Rev 5:13). Amen
Rev. Kruger de Kock
PS: This week I am blogging through a program broadcasted on the BBC in 1942 by C.S. Lewis, later republished in a book called 'Mere Christianity'. As an acclaimed academic he converted from Atheism to Christianity late in life. In a society blighted by two world wars at the time, there was a lot of questions about the existence of God and Lewis seemed to have the faith to answer it.
You are receiving these emails because you have visited or supported Canada Water Church or Surrey Docks Church, London.
Feel free to respond to this address and ask any questions you like. Rev. Kruger de Kock receives them directly.
Please forward these emails to others, and if you would like to add someone to the mailing list - just reply with their email address.
If you do not want to receive these messages anymore, just reply with 'unsubscribe please' in the subject line.
If you ever wanted to make a financial contribution to the ministry of both churches, here's our bank details in the UK:
City Life London (Incorporating Canada Water Church and Surrey Docks Church - Charity Number 1138684).
Bank Details: City Life London
Sort Code: 40-03-16 (HSBC)
Account Number: 31668404
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