Are You Thoroughly Converted?
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
C. S. Lewis was a renowned author, scholar, and apologist. Although many of his works address fundamental issues about God, the Christian faith, and the Bible, Lewis was often quick to point out that he was not a trained theologian. Yet his raw, honest, and open writing style continues to invite readers in to consider complex eternal issues with simple reason and logic. It’s no wonder his books have been read and loved by millions.
Lewis is well respected, even in a post-Christian society, largely because he was a man of deep faith. Yet he was not always a believer. Early in life, Lewis held firmly to his position as an atheist. Speaking on the problem of evil, he once wrote, “Had God designed the world, it would not be a world so frail and faulty as we see.”
But then after reading works by George MacDonald, including the fantasy novel Phantastes, Lewis experienced a conversion—a conversion of his imagination, if you will, as if something had leapt off the page and baptized his fancy.
An avid reader, Lewis was also influenced by the works of G. K. Chesterton and others who appealed more to his intellect. Their reasoning helped him to make sense of matters that he had once understood very differently.
In his autobiography, Surprised by Joy, Lewis likened his journey to faith to a fox running in the open with hounds barely a field behind. All manner of philosophers, theologians, scholars, and friends did their part to reel him in. He felt as if he were a snowman at long last beginning to melt. Night after night, whenever he would lift his mind for a minute from his work, Lewis felt the steady and unrelenting approach of the One whom he so earnestly desired not to meet.
Some like to say that Lewis had multiple conversions, including a conversion of his conscience. Eventually, he was saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Once justified, he set out on a journey of sanctification that continued for the rest of his life. That’s what sanctification is—a lifelong maturing and transformation into the likeness of Christ.
I don’t know what your journey has looked like. Maybe you were born into a Christian family and were saved by faith at a young age. Maybe your life has looked a little more like that of C. S. Lewis, complete with doubts, skepticism, or even outright rejection of religion. Perhaps you’re still on the fence. One thing is certain: If you will receive His Son, God will meet you wherever you are and accept you into His family. His grace is truly amazing, and His love is unconditional. If you haven’t already, I hope you will take a moment right now to take the next step and accept the salvation that only God can provide.
Father, I have doubts. I’m not sure about myself, you, or anything. I want to believe. Help my unbelief. Open my eyes to what I don’t know or understand. I want to know what is real, what is true, and ultimately, I want my life to have meaning. It feels so empty without you. Have mercy on me and open the eyes of my heart to see you by faith. I truly want to believe.
Walking by faith and enjoying the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!
Davis Carman
© 2017 Davis Carman
Homeschool-101.com
Apologia.com
If you enjoyed this devotional by Davis Carman, enjoy reading his devotional entitled Faith: Four Types of Faith, Which Do You Have?
Davis is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of Creation-based science and Bible curriculum. He is the author of four illustrated children’s books designed to help kids learn a biblical worldview. He believes that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now!
Davis’s four books include: Good Morning, God, based on Deuteronomy 6, A Light for My Path, an ABC book based on Psalm 119, In the Beginning, based on the Creation account in Genesis, and Psalms to Know Early.