25 May 2011

He, not me...

A greenhouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Image via Wikipedia


This week we finish Book II of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis with Chapter 5 - The Practical Conclusion.  Here Clive writes:
This is why the Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good.  They hope, by being good, to please God if there is one; or - if they think there is not - at least they hope to deserve approval from good men.  But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him.  He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.
Any good in me
is not me
but He
Who loves me.
Yes, this is
my heart's confession
yes, this is
what I know of truth.
It is not me
that shines
but a mirror
of His brightness
but oh, underneath
that light
what goodness grows.

Jason is hosting us this week at Connecting to Impact.  Come join us as we journey on.


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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reminds of Jesus telling the woman at the well that the Jews worshipped whom they knew and Samaritans whom they didn't, but the time has come for the those who worship in Spirit and truth. He invites us to know Him and not try to please him out of some misguided attempt to earn his love but because He loves us fully and completely. Great post! Thank you, Karin.

Glynn said...

It's hard for us, most times, to grasp that all of the good within us comes from Him. Every bit of it. Good poem, Karin.