8:31 I made this observation verrry early in my life. In 4th grade I went to a Catholic school and I remember my teacher always said to "be good so you can go to Heaven." But I always thought to myself ... shouldn't I be good because it is the right thing to do? Not for a reward, nor recognition, but for the simple fact that Christ lives within me and guides me.
This is a popular thing to say these days, that we should be good for the cause, and that should be enough. It's actually the spirit of Christ to give without expectancy of getting back. But if there were zero promise or expectation of reward, would we as self centered humans constantly procrastinate doing good? I think the reward is a great initial motivator, and then we get used to seeing the results of doing good. And, the warmth of the Holy Spirit guiding us along. Really, the Holy Spirit IS a reward. As is seeing that we've made a difference.
Much of the reason I say this, is because atheist rhetoric loves to manipulate this concept of "why does a good person need a reward to do good"? They suggest unbelievers are superior, doing good without belief in eternal or Godly reward. And, that many believers would refuse to do any good whatsoever if there wasn't an eternal reward. This is all conjecture, naturally-- as there is no way to know the deep inner incentives of believers or unbelievers. Bottom line-- we all like to help and do good. But believers have the Holy Spirit to constantly shake us into action and guide us along, even when things get really tough.
C.S. Lewis talks about this in his essay “The Weight of Glory” in some detail if you were interested in some very good discussion of the topic of eternal reward. “The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased..." “It is promised, firstly, that we shall be with Christ; secondly, that we shall be like Him; thirdly, with an enormous wealth of imagery, that we shall have "glory"; fourthly, that we shall, in some sense, be fed or feasted or entertained; and, finally, that we shall have some sort of official position in the universe - ruling cities, judging angels, being pillars of God's temple.” “...It is written that we shall "stand before" Him, shall appear, shall be inspected. The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us who really chooses, shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall please God. To please God... to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness... to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son - it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.” For myself, I find the promise of eternal reward a great encouragement, when the reward for obeying the Holy Spirit in this life becomes very costly or hostile or results in some sort of painful flack. The idea of eternal reward then feels like burn cream.
(12:44) More from C.S. Lewis: “ 'When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away' (1 Cor. 13.10). The idea of reaching 'a good life' without Christ is based on a double error. Firstly, we cannot do it; and secondly, in setting up 'a good life' as our final goal, we have missed the very point of our existence. Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; and if we could we should only perish in the ice and unbreathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished. For it is from there that the real ascent begins. The ropes and axes are 'done away' and the rest is a matter of flying ('Man and Rabbit').” More notes in the video description.
Literally just had a sermon on that passage in Phillipians yesterday. Remembering that God is on a different level, working in us, is important to remember in order to understand how God recieves the credit for our acts of obedience. Thanks for your illustrations!
These illustrations and narrations are helping me change everything. I have the book, Mere Christianity. When I've tried to read and comprehend it, I find it impossible. Listening to you speak the words while watching you illustrate the concepts behind the words, is opening a new thing in me. When you speak the words written, I hear emphasis, tone, crucial pauses, and conclusions all along the way.. leading to me having new understanding ! When I simply read his book, the words, sentences, and meanings just run together . Thank you so much for using your skills in obedience to God, so that I can more fully appreciate the wonderous gift that has been given to me 🌷
Wow this hits deeeeeep! His views are so comprehensive, I think there’s a part in there for practically any Christian to relate to. Love how he excellently articulates things that are often so hard to put into words. I also love his way of writing, it’s engaging. Thank you C.S Lewis, and thanks to this channel and their lovely doodles!
9:08 Fantastic metaphor for Faith and Works. . .sheer excellence. : ) Thank you for keeping the legacy of Lewis on air with sharing your God given gift of drawing, drawing upon the his work, drawn upon His Good News.
1 day ago? Am I seeing things?! Honesty. This is amazing. It really helps me keep track of the points being made and its alot easier to relay this information to other because its almost like watching a movie in my mind while I recite it, Thank you. As im watching this im realizing how much I've been beating myself up for not being able to be all Christ wants me to be. But now I realize I AM already that, I realize the battle is over and Christ won, I actually feel.. good haha. Really, really good, its hard to explain. I know christ loves me as much on my worst day as my best day but now, now i realize what he's saying around 8:00 min
I’ve tried to put all of this into words since I became saved last year but it always comes out in confusion and later, frustration. Now I have the words that are in my head in a video I can share it to help me explain 😂. I second what someone else said below, praise be to God who gives us what we need when we ask! I needed this video.
Me too ! These illustrations and narrations are helping me change everything. I have the book, Mere Christianity. When I've tried to read and comprehend it, I find it impossible. Listening to him speak the words while watching him illustrate the concepts behind the words, is opening a new thing in me. When I hear the words that are written, I hear emphasis, tone, crucial pauses, and conclusions all along the way.. leading to me having new understanding ! When I simply read his book, the words, sentences, and meanings just run together . I am now understanding the wonderous gift that has been given to me 🌷
The first 1:28 or so of this video speak so well to my current experience. I'm walking into a season where God is making clear so much of His word that seemed fuzzy to me, and what I love the most is that it's encouraging me to dive deeper and deeper into the unknown areas of my faith and of the Scriptures in an exciting and eager kind of way. Thank you, as always, for the work your do through this awesome channel.
Thanks so much for creating these. They have helped me greatly in my faith. They explain the more heady concepts that Lewis discusses in an easy to understand way
I think he is talking about the stage of hearing the Lord's voice and obeying it. It can be quite surprising the deeds he requires of us, and the amazing miracles obedience to that word brings about, no matter how seemingly small. More notes in the video description also.
I am enjoying this series but I must say it is having the opposite effect of what I feel its intention is... I feel like it is impossible for man to be the person God wants us to be, and that seems incredibly unfair. Like man has been set an unpassable exam. It makes life seem almost pointless. Try and fail, try and fail.. its very sad. I had hoped Christianity was more than that. This set of works makes Christianity (and this life) look like a chore, a series of unending failures and disappointments to God. I want to be a Christian, but beyond that knowledge, I am completely lost.
Would this 4th series help at all? 'Is Christianity Hard or Easy?' ua-cam.com/video/IzJJ23MmOGU/v-deo.html Once the lie of our “inherent goodness” is abandoned, the truth does not lead to the wrong kind of hopelessness as was feared, but for the first time opens the door to the need of a Saviour. Leaving that rickety raft of our inherent goodness, and swimming for Christ's righteousness, is the only real safety and joy, for there the real adventure begins!
We are justified in Gods sight by faith. Romans 4:5 says to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. That is the depth of Gods love. The truth is WE CANT DO IT. But God has made a way for us to serve him while being righteous in his sight (by giving us Christs righteousness through faith.) Hebrews 10:14 says by one offering (Jesus dying on the cross) he hath perfected FOREVER them that are sanctified. (KJV)
Wow. Lewis had a gift with words! These doodles are the perfect pairing.
8:31 I made this observation verrry early in my life.
In 4th grade I went to a Catholic school and I remember my teacher always said to "be good so you can go to Heaven."
But I always thought to myself ... shouldn't I be good because it is the right thing to do? Not for a reward, nor recognition, but for the simple fact that Christ lives within me and guides me.
This is a popular thing to say these days, that we should be good for the cause, and that should be enough. It's actually the spirit of Christ to give without expectancy of getting back. But if there were zero promise or expectation of reward, would we as self centered humans constantly procrastinate doing good? I think the reward is a great initial motivator, and then we get used to seeing the results of doing good. And, the warmth of the Holy Spirit guiding us along. Really, the Holy Spirit IS a reward. As is seeing that we've made a difference.
Much of the reason I say this, is because atheist rhetoric loves to manipulate this concept of "why does a good person need a reward to do good"? They suggest unbelievers are superior, doing good without belief in eternal or Godly reward. And, that many believers would refuse to do any good whatsoever if there wasn't an eternal reward. This is all conjecture, naturally-- as there is no way to know the deep inner incentives of believers or unbelievers. Bottom line-- we all like to help and do good. But believers have the Holy Spirit to constantly shake us into action and guide us along, even when things get really tough.
C.S. Lewis talks about this in his essay “The Weight of Glory” in some detail if you were interested in some very good discussion of the topic of eternal reward.
“The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased..."
“It is promised, firstly, that we shall be with Christ; secondly, that we shall be like Him; thirdly, with an enormous wealth of imagery, that we shall have "glory"; fourthly, that we shall, in some sense, be fed or feasted or entertained; and, finally, that we shall have some sort of official position in the universe - ruling cities, judging angels, being pillars of God's temple.”
“...It is written that we shall "stand before" Him, shall appear, shall be inspected. The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us who really chooses, shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall please God. To please God... to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness... to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son - it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.”
For myself, I find the promise of eternal reward a great encouragement, when the reward for obeying the Holy Spirit in this life becomes very costly or hostile or results in some sort of painful flack. The idea of eternal reward then feels like burn cream.
@@CSLewisDoodle Thank you for sharing that! That is very inspiring! He says it better than I could.
This video came shortly after I started thinking about this very thing. God really does wonders.
Same here, God is good.
(12:44) More from C.S. Lewis: “ 'When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away' (1 Cor. 13.10).
The idea of reaching 'a good life' without Christ is based on a double error. Firstly, we cannot do it; and secondly, in setting up 'a good life' as our final goal, we have missed the very point of our existence. Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; and if we could we should only perish in the ice and unbreathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished. For it is from there that the real ascent begins. The ropes and axes are 'done away' and the rest is a matter of flying ('Man and Rabbit').”
More notes in the video description.
Consider pinning your comment so we might see it more readily.
This video came at the exact right moment for me and my constant failings. Thank you.
Literally just had a sermon on that passage in Phillipians yesterday. Remembering that God is on a different level, working in us, is important to remember in order to understand how God recieves the credit for our acts of obedience. Thanks for your illustrations!
These illustrations and narrations are helping me change everything.
I have the book, Mere Christianity.
When I've tried to read and comprehend it, I find it impossible.
Listening to you speak the words while watching you illustrate the concepts behind the words, is opening a new thing in me.
When you speak the words written, I hear emphasis, tone, crucial pauses, and conclusions all along the way.. leading to me having new understanding !
When I simply read his book, the words, sentences, and meanings just run together .
Thank you so much for using your skills in obedience to God, so that I can more fully appreciate the wonderous gift that has been given to me 🌷
This brought me to tears. Thank you.
Wow this hits deeeeeep! His views are so comprehensive, I think there’s a part in there for practically any Christian to relate to. Love how he excellently articulates things that are often so hard to put into words. I also love his way of writing, it’s engaging. Thank you C.S Lewis, and thanks to this channel and their lovely doodles!
9:08
Fantastic metaphor for Faith and Works. . .sheer excellence. : )
Thank you for keeping the legacy of Lewis on air with sharing your God given gift of drawing, drawing upon the his work, drawn upon His Good News.
1 day ago? Am I seeing things?!
Honesty. This is amazing. It really helps me keep track of the points being made and its alot easier to relay this information to other because its almost like watching a movie in my mind while I recite it, Thank you.
As im watching this im realizing how much I've been beating myself up for not being able to be all Christ wants me to be. But now I realize I AM already that, I realize the battle is over and Christ won, I actually feel.. good haha. Really, really good, its hard to explain. I know christ loves me as much on my worst day as my best day but now, now i realize what he's saying around 8:00 min
Always a good day when there is a new Doodle!
I’ve tried to put all of this into words since I became saved last year but it always comes out in confusion and later, frustration. Now I have the words that are in my head in a video I can share it to help me explain 😂. I second what someone else said below, praise be to God who gives us what we need when we ask! I needed this video.
Me too ! These illustrations and narrations are helping me change everything.
I have the book, Mere Christianity.
When I've tried to read and comprehend it, I find it impossible.
Listening to him speak the words while watching him illustrate the concepts behind the words, is opening a new thing in me.
When I hear the words that are written, I hear emphasis, tone, crucial pauses, and conclusions all along the way.. leading to me having new understanding !
When I simply read his book, the words, sentences, and meanings just run together .
I am now understanding the wonderous gift that has been given to me 🌷
This whole series is gorgeous!
I am deeply grateful of this video! It really shed a light on my confusion between faith and works.
The first 1:28 or so of this video speak so well to my current experience. I'm walking into a season where God is making clear so much of His word that seemed fuzzy to me, and what I love the most is that it's encouraging me to dive deeper and deeper into the unknown areas of my faith and of the Scriptures in an exciting and eager kind of way.
Thank you, as always, for the work your do through this awesome channel.
Well chosen words; fitly spoken; like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Man, I freaking love these. Keep it up!
Thanks so much for creating these. They have helped me greatly in my faith. They explain the more heady concepts that Lewis discusses in an easy to understand way
Awesome Video. Exactly what I needed to hear at this particular moment! God Bless.
Awesome!!! Always check these out as soon as I see a notification
Thank you for all that your doing here. You help make his work come alive and are thoroughly researched.
Such an amazing teaching with amazing illustrations to engage me visually! Awesome!
Super, thank you!
Thank you. You consistently have perfect timing!
I love your videos! Keep doing what you’re doing because it’s incredible!!
What a great Easter surprise!
It's funny you can only understand this after you understand it 🤓☝️
What is this place, where people are filled with goodness? Could someone explain to me this last part of this chapter? I have many thoughts.
I think he is talking about the stage of hearing the Lord's voice and obeying it. It can be quite surprising the deeds he requires of us, and the amazing miracles obedience to that word brings about, no matter how seemingly small. More notes in the video description also.
@@CSLewisDoodleI've checked the description and read your response. Thank you, now I think I understand.
I am enjoying this series but I must say it is having the opposite effect of what I feel its intention is... I feel like it is impossible for man to be the person God wants us to be, and that seems incredibly unfair. Like man has been set an unpassable exam. It makes life seem almost pointless. Try and fail, try and fail.. its very sad. I had hoped Christianity was more than that. This set of works makes Christianity (and this life) look like a chore, a series of unending failures and disappointments to God. I want to be a Christian, but beyond that knowledge, I am completely lost.
Would this 4th series help at all? 'Is Christianity Hard or Easy?' ua-cam.com/video/IzJJ23MmOGU/v-deo.html
Once the lie of our “inherent goodness” is abandoned, the truth does not lead to the wrong kind of hopelessness as was feared, but for the first time opens the door to the need of a Saviour. Leaving that rickety raft of our inherent goodness, and swimming for Christ's righteousness, is the only real safety and joy, for there the real adventure begins!
We are justified in Gods sight by faith. Romans 4:5 says to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
That is the depth of Gods love. The truth is WE CANT DO IT. But God has made a way for us to serve him while being righteous in his sight (by giving us Christs righteousness through faith.)
Hebrews 10:14 says by one offering (Jesus dying on the cross) he hath perfected FOREVER them that are sanctified. (KJV)