My road trip to Hume Lake

To be known by Him

More from Tiffany's journal! (7/22/07)

"But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him" 1 Corinthians 8:3

It says that the one who loves God will be known by Him, and not "the one who loves God will know Him". It isn't about how well we "know" Him! That's something I don't hear often or at all actually. What a great reminder it is when C.S. Lewis writes in Weight of Glory, "How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important". One day everyone will be judged; he will be either exiled and repelled or welcomed and acknowledged by God. How well we perceive God would not at the least be significant. I think we sometimes spend too much time and energy trying to figure out God. The reality is we can never come close to understanding Him even partially. Instead, we should use our energy to serve whom service is due. To find approval from God, even though it seems impossible, should be what we should always strive for.

Rewards

Recently I bought a new journal, and I've been really exited about writing different things in it like my prayers, what I'm learning from my reading, or pondering. Basically, its my personal blog, and I thought it would be cool to write some of my excerpts from my dandy journal. thoughts from Tiffany....

In Weight of Glory C.S. Lewis explains that there are different kinds of rewards. When we say there is a reward (heaven) to living a christian life, it is important to identify what kind of reward it actually is. That is completely relevant, because unbelievers often say that "this promise of reward makes the Christian life a mercenary affair". And "mercenary" means "working only for reward" as I later looked up just to be sure.

There are three kinds of reward:

1) Natural (or Proper) Reward

- Example C.S. Lewis gives: Marriage is a proper reward for a real lover.

2) Mercenary Reward

- Example: Man marrying a woman for her money.

"The proper rewards are not simply tacked on to the activity for which they are given, but are the activity itself in consummation"

3) Preliminary Reward

- Example: A school boy who is studying Greek grammar; hoping of a future good which he cannot presently imagine or desire. He get alittle of the reward gradually; "enjoyment creeps in upon the mere drudgery". No one know when he will finally get the reward. For he "desire(s) it for its own sake".

So this obviously is the christian life. I think current Christians or "modern" Christianity is too focused on getting the reward now (including myself). The "experience" of God has become a high priority; the focus has been shifted to us and our experience instead of obeying and pleasing the One who deserves our worship. No wonder why so many "Christians" fall away because they "don't see God" or "feel" God in their lives anymore. It isn't wrong to be emotionally passionate for Him, but it definitely shouldn't be the focus. Maybe if we start following Him it wouldn't be a problem.