Bold I Approach the Eternal Throne

As many of you know, I love C.S. Lewis. He has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time - in Christian and non-Christian literature alike. I just finished Surprised by Joy which was a very interesting and thought provoking autobiography of sorts about Jack's (as his friends called him) early life. It's main focus is on his initial rejection of God and Christianity and then it goes on to describe his long journey back to God. Jack says in his book that perhaps he was the "most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England." He describes his conversion as more of a fight against God, with God slowly reeling him in, patiently allowing him to struggle but never letting go.

I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The prodigal son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape? The words compelle intrare, compel them to come in, have been so abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy. The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.

Jack is right when he wonders (not merely in the inquiring sense, but in a sense of awe and amazement) about this great Love that would accept sinners such as us. It is not as if God comes to us and sees us waiting excitedly for Him to save us. Before God saves us, we detest Him and want nothing to do with Him. He is our enemy; One who we fear and loath above all others.

Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things h ates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

It is a great testimony to God's indescribable and uncontainable love that He chooses to save us at all.

Joh 3:16-17 ESV "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1Jo 4:15-19 ESV Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16) So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (17) By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (19) We love because he first loved us.

Because of God’s great demonstration of His love for us, in the sacrafice of His son Jesus Christ, we now do not have to fear God! He is no longer our judge, our condemnation, but now is our Father and Savior! The curtain in the Temple was torn and we no longer must shield our faces from God with a veil.

2Co 3:12-18 ESV Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, (13) not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. (14) But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. (15) Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. (16) But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (17) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (18) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!