Chapter
IV Section II (A)
Just
how Christian are most “Christians” (In England in 1797)
Here
are some dysfunctions I see scattered in differing measures and
combinations throughout our population.
First let me say that true religion is
in the heart. It reigns supreme in the heart and gradually expels all
that is contrary to it until it brings all the persons passions and
desires under its control.
Many people who call themselves
“Christians” are not like this. Will they let God into every part
of their lives? No way! They are like this:
They start by seeing religion as a list
of prohibitions. If we picture their lives as a farm, we could say
they see religion like someone saying the dam is dangerous – so
they put a fence around it – but then do what they like with the
rest of the farm. Even then they often go to the fence and look
longingly at the dam!
Some take the next step: they admit
religion has some positive claim on them. Back to the farm picture we
could say they fence off a small area for native animals - then
they do what they like with the rest. In real life these people set
aside a portion – be it small or big – of their time, money,
effort and so forth as belonging to God, then fee free to do whatever
they want with the rest. They may be stingy and only go to church on
Sunday and put a little in the plate or they may tithe a tenth of
their income, and perhaps give to charity beyond that. They may be
much more generous with their time: go to church twice on Sunday, and
Bible study or church committee meetings during the week, even daily
prayer. But the crunch is this: after paying their perceived “dues”
to God everything else belongs to them to do exactly what they like
with.
Big mistake! Huge! This is not true
Christianity.
If promoting the glory of God and
possessing his favour is our highest regard then nothing short of
giving God control over the whole farm will do. Every, yes every,
aspect, part and moment of our lives – all that we are and all that
we have – must be given to God. Yes, we must trust God. Trust that
he cares for us, trust that he knows our needs and human obligations
better than we do ourselves and that he will use his lordship over
our lives in a way that will fulfil all these. Conversely, when
people only give God part of their lives they are really saying they
don't trust him!
“...we find in fact that the generality of mankind among the higher
order, in the formation of their schemes, in the selection of their
studies, in the choice of their place of residence, in the employment
and distribution of their time, in their thoughts, conversation and
amusements, are considered as being at liberty, if there be no actual
vice, to consult in the main their own gratification.”
So
instead of Christianity in all its beauty, we are left with a
“decent” selfishness. A life frittered away in idleness or
self-centred activities. A claim that “we are not hurting anyone,
we are not neglecting our family or civic duties – so why should we
not seek pleasure!”
Some
“Christians” forget that health is only a meant to an end –
useful labour! They make the pursuit of “health” their goal, and
even their god.
“Others
again seem more to attach themselves to what have been well termed
the “pomps and vanities of this world”. Magnificent houses, grand
equipages, numerous retinues, splendid entertainments, high and
fashionable connections appear to constitute in their estimation the
supreme happiness of life.”
Others
again let ambition or avarice rule the parts of their lives they keep
from God. They let the cares of this world and the pursuit of
advancement, power or money squeeze God further and further out of
their day-to-day lives.
Still
others pursue other ends – learning, art, science – to name a
few. These are noble but they must not be in the highest place in our
attention and our lives. We look forward to eternity: God must be our
supreme good and our supreme goal
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