Christian Living

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MANUAL FOR LIVING IN GOD’S WORLD


The editor at Purity Publications introduced Manual For Living In God’s World with the appreciative observation, “This free eBook is an essential study for all Christians.” It is listed as # 5008 under the category Spiritual Books. As such, it was the first of my nine submissions, the following excerpt serving in retrospect.
C. S. Lewis was of the opinion that errors as a rule occur as polar opposites. It is as we attempt to escape the one that we fall prey to the other. It resembles working our way along a narrow ridge with a steep slope on either side.
One error consists of thinking we can set forth simple rules that will guarantee automatic success. Such confidence is readily eroded by ifs, ands, and buts. The opposite error amounts to obscuring the obvious. I have attempted something between these extremes.
There is the religious factor. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. These are his works, meant to serve his purposes, and to bring him glory. As an erstwhile friend liked to put it, “They are not our toys.”
Man plays to mixed reviews in Scripture. He was created to image his creator, but the mirror no longer gives off a true reflection. Some received his acclaim, but for the most part they appear indulgent, neglectful, and unappreciative. At one point, God is said to have grieved that he made man (cf. Gen. 6:7). However, even in that context, its is recorded that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
In particular, we have considered six aspects of the religious dimension of life. Initially, as concerns God’s awesome presence. This served to highlight religious experience. After that, I touched on God’s grace, his initiative—expressed in terms of the hound of heaven, the deliverance motif, our perspective from the valley, and an imaginative account concerning the house of the Lord. These taken together provide what might be described as a religious mosaic.
There is the social factor. Man is aware of being one among others. He would not have survived but for their intercession. He soon senses that a reciprocal relationship is called for: he must be there for others, as he allows others to be there for him. This is not a simple correlation, but requires a skillful interplay of privileges and obligations.
In more specific terms, we considered the interpersonal character of life, economic considerations, political realities, global concerns, and our environment. These and related factors constitute what resembles a morality play. Persons come on stage, speak their parts, and take their leave.
Finally, there is the personal factor. Man is one among others. He is an unique individual, since God is not into cultivating carbon copies.
The sanctity of life is basic to the rest. Life is good, provided it is lived according to God’s guidelines. It can be improved upon as we exercise truth, excellence, and creativity. This obviously constitutes an exceedingly short list.
An Army of One fleshes out the personal factor in one fleeting life, my own. In this regard, I will allow the psalmist the final word: “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower in the field. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with children’s children—with those who keep his covenant to obey his precepts” (103:15-18).

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