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just being good

I am teaching through the book Changed into His Image by Jim Berg in my 9th/10th Bible class. We are right in the middle of a section discussing the topic, Identifying Your Own Way. He was writing about different forms that rebellion take when he shared this quote. We found it to be quite impactful, and so I share it with you:
If you have sound nerves and intelligence and health and popularity and a good upbringing, you are likely to be quite satisfied with your character as it is... A certain level of good conduct comes fairly easy to you... You are quite likely to believe that all this niceness is your own doing; and you may easily no feel the need for any better kind of goodness.

It is very different for the nasty people -- the little, low, timid, warped, thin-blooded, lonely people, or the passionate, sensual, unbalanced people. If they make any attempt at goodness at all, they learn in double quick time, that they need help. It is Christ or nothing for them...

If you are a nice person -- if virtue comes easily to you -- beware! Much is expected from those to whom much is given. If you mistake for your own merits what are really God's gifts to you through nature, and if you are contented with simply being nice, you are still a rebel: and all those gifts will only make your fall more terrible, your corruption more complicated, your bad example more disastrous. The Devil was an archangel once; his natural gifts were as far above yours as yours are above those of a chimpanzee.
C.S. Lewis


Chew on that one for a minute and let me know what you think.

If you check my channel on Ustream.tv, you might catch me in my Bible class from 9:15 to 10:00.
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  1. Angela Watson2/26/2009 9:32 AM

    That IS good. I am one of those passionate, sensual, unbalanced people, and have always been in awe of the "naturally nice". But honestly, those are the hardest people to win to Christ. They are good on their own, and don't see a need for a savior. I, on the other hand, was a MESS without Jesus. And I am grateful for my imperfections, they are the thorn in my side which reminds me of my true identity in Christ.

    Thanks for sharing that.

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