This part of the book really struck me:(pg 39.) If, like the elder brother, you seek to control God through your obedience, then all your morality is just a way to use God to make him give you the things in life you really want. A classic example of this is the bargain that the young Salieri makes with God in Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus.
I would offer up secretly the proudest prayer a boy could think of. "Lord, make me a great composer! Let me celebrate your glory through music - and be celebrated myself!"How many prayers I have offered up with similar intentions!
(pg 42-43.) Elder brothers obey God to get things. They don't obey God to get God himself - in order to resemble him, love him, know him, and delight him. So religious and moral people can be avoiding Jesus as Savior and Lord as much as the younger brothers who say they don't believe in God and define right and wrong for themselves.
but the good news
(pg. 45) But Jesus says: "The humble are in and the proud are out" (see Luke 18:14). The people who confess they aren't particularly good or open-minded are moving toward God, because the prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it.
What good news for my younger-brother and older-brother nature! It's good to be aware of my need for the Savior. (Note: While I don't agree that the prerequisite for receiving God's grace is needing to know I need it - it is God's grace that opens my eyes to see that I need a Savior - I see his other point that God gives grace to the humble - James 4:6)
Some questions. Tim Keller emphasizes the importance of not seeking God for the things we can get from Him, but for the pure intentions to know and love Him. How do we do that and yet still take hold of God's promises, live in faith and ask without doubting? Perhaps to put praying/faith in the right perspective, James 4:3 - You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Also, how do we apply verses such as Psalm 103:2 - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits? It seems to me that the benefits this passage is talking about refer to ones that reveal His character - love, mercy, etc. As a result, we know God more and love Him for who He is. But it seems like a delicate balance - to know God and his benefits, but to seek Him purely for who He is, not what we can get from Him. Could it be why Psalm 103 begins with three proclamations to "Bless the Lord" and to "bless his holy name" only to be followed by His benefits?
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Great comments Grace. And regarding your questions I agree that there is a fine balance in how we seek God... and for what purposes. The scriptures definitely encourages us to be aware of the rewards (ie- Heb 11:26 He (Moses) considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward, and Matt 6:20 ...store up for yourself treasures in heaven). These, along with many other scriptures, are direct indicators that great men of faith were aware of and sought a reward. We are also ecouraged to plan for rewards.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time scripture is complete with references of how we are to be completely satisfied in Him alone (ie- Phil 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.)
The apostle Paul, who was an example of one who lived for Christ was also the one who lived to win the prize and for the reward he was sure he would receive. There was no conflict for him.
Thinking about this I would suggest that because God wants us to seek a reward and seek him alone then the way we "lay up for ourserves treasure in heaven" is in complete alignment with a deepening love, admiration, and awe of God.
The sermon on the mount (Matt 5) is an amazing example of this. Jesus says, for instance, that the peacemakers shall be called sons of God. What a reward! He says that the meek shall inherit the earth. Wow, what a reward!
But, what a call and challenge to be meek, and to be a peacemaker. These are distinct promises of God and at the same time the pursuit of them will make God more precious in our eyes.
These are my thoughts. Thanks again for the question. That is great to think about!
Paul, thank you for your comments in response to my question! That's really helpful - to remember that the rewards God gives are in complete alignment with our deepening love for Him.
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