"These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the Earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way."
- C.S. Lewis
The book brings out through basic observations that societies have all regardless of religious background, recognized a basic rule of behavior that only humans seem to be aware of. It is a rule that governs how we are to behave in exactly the same way that the rule of gravity affects an object that is hurled into the air. What makes this rule unlike any other, however, is that we have a choice to break it and do so quite often.
We are aware of a basic rule of conduct, the golden rule if you will. What is facinating is that many have assigned this as a none issue, something that just came about from our religion or from some sort of evolutionary development that has remained ingrained within us from some previous time. What one finds when you compare cultures throughout time, however, is that we are strikingly similar when it comes to this rule of nature. Mr. Lewis points out that one culture may deem it proper to have but one wife where another may believe in multiple wives. Although there is a slight difference between the two, both would agree that it is not right to have all the women you want.
The word "Right" leaps off the page. If there is a "Right" then there is most certainly is a "Wrong." Notice the implication. Thoughts, actions, feelings, etc. all have a side. There is no grey area in which we can hide. True we may go through life before we are convicted or that we see that we have behaved wrongly, but the fact remains that we live in a world of absolutes. Before we can delve into Christianity and recieve the gift of Christ, we must face this. There are no excuses. There is a natural law in which we deep down know the difference between right and wrong (If we take the time and think it through). The fact of the matter is that we choose ourselves time and again.
Tomorrow read through the "Some Objections" Chapter and check back in for the blog. Please comment, question, or just say hey and let me know that your with me. Until tomorrow night, sleep well and walk on.
- Mark
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Makes me think of Scott Hathorn's sermon-if we are to be followers of Christ, we must deny ourselves, pick-up our cross and follow Him (Christ). We must, in essence, do what is "right." The One who always did what was right is the One who is Right/Righteous, the One who established this law of Human Nature but never forces us to follow it. If we are to be His follower; however, we are required to follow it. Like the required code of conduct for membership in a particular group, such as a team or Junior Auxiliary or Kiwanas, or for a job, if we are to be a part of the body of Christ, this is our requirement. Not an easy task. A cost that should be considered, but, oh, the benefits!
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