Sacrificial Faith
One of my favorite books of all time is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I used to scour used book stores and thrift shops to find copies to give to students. The reason? Lewis lays out the logical case for the truth of Christianity and the gospel it proclaims. He starts with no assumptions and builds his defense for the truth of the gospel throughout the book. Perfect for doubting, skeptical, or confused college students living in a campus world that doubts most everything the Christian faith claims.
The interesting thing about the genesis of Lewis’ book is that it began with a request from the BBC in the midst of World War II, as Hitler was threatening all of Europe, including Lewis’s Great Britain. They wanted him to do a series of radio programs about Christianity to provide encouragement to the British people wearied and traumatized by war. This series was later turned into a book by Lewis—Mere Christianity.
One need to remember the context of these broadcasts. They were done in the heart of London at the BBC studio, beginning in August 1941, three months after the Nazi’s “London Blitz,” where for eight months Germany bombed the major cities of Britain, including London. As a result, much of the city was in ruins. In the midst of the rubble, Lewis gave hope to a beleaguered people explaining astutely, and in language all people could understand, the hope that can be found in Jesus regardless of the circumstances.
We are now seeing this same hope come to bear in eerily similar circumstances as Vladimir Putin’s Russia bombs key cities in Ukraine. Videos and social media posts are emerging showing Ukrainian Christians praying and singing hymns as they shelter in underground subway stations. Many are going to fight for their country, unafraid to die. (Note: Lewis was a believer in “just war.”)
It is a very sad moment in world history, but this moment has gladdened my heart because so many people and nations are rallying around a cause, not of self-interest, but of one to confront evil. It is rare these days where protecting one’s own life or interests is the norm and one that most nations engage in as well. I think Mr. Putin counted on that self-interest to kick in as he crossed into Ukraine last week. He believed the West’s risk tolerance was very low and he could easily conquer Ukraine without much consequence. Surprisingly to many, he was wrong.
Jesus tells us that, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) And Paul tells believers, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2)
We do not naturally desire to sacrifice ourselves, particularly if our lives or comfort are at stake. We naturally lean toward taking the easy, less costly path. Yet hope in Jesus, hope in eternal life, should lead us to holding onto loosely what we typically hold so dear. I think this is what Lewis was trying to achieve in his radio broadcasts, to renew the minds of his listeners. If they could only embrace the hope of Jesus, they could let go of their fear of what the future held. They could face it bravely because as Paul so eloquently says,
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
We are justifiably horrified by the images coming out of Ukraine, but it appears we are witnessing great bravery by many who consider their lives worth sacrificing for a cause much greater than themselves and their comfort. I think Lewis would have been pleased to witness it.
We don’t know at the moment where this war will lead. It could end suddenly, or it could engulf the entire world as did Hitler’s invasion of Poland led eventually to WW II. Regardless, two things we can embrace and teach to our children:
*No matter what circumstances we encounter in life, nothing can separate us from our Lord if believe in him and love him.
*That hope should compel us to be courageous to live sacrificial lives wherever we reside and under whatever circumstances.
May we pray for the Ukrainian people, particularly our fellow believers, and may we pray for one another let go of our self-centered lives and embrace the opportunities the Lord gives us to live sacrificially. What a witness that would be to the world!
© Jim Musser 2022 All Scripture references are from the New International Version, 2011.
