Hope...C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis wrote:
Hope is one of the Theological virtues.
This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do.
It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is.
If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.
The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion
of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English
Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.
It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is.
If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.
The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion
of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English
Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.
It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.
The Holy Spirit can give us that "something more." He can restore our hope through pondering
afresh what the Holy Scriptures teach us about heaven and the world to come. The more we prayerfully dwell on the words of Scripture and "hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly
digest them," the more our hearts will be drawn away from the love of things temporary and
fixed upon things eternal…and the more we will seek to serve and please the One whom our soul loves by loving and serving our neighbor in this present life.
The Holy Spirit can give us that "something more." He can restore our hope through pondering
afresh what the Holy Scriptures teach us about heaven and the world to come. The more we prayerfully dwell on the words of Scripture and "hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly
digest them," the more our hearts will be drawn away from the love of things temporary and
fixed upon things eternal…and the more we will seek to serve and please the One whom our soul loves by loving and serving our neighbor in this present life.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
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