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Human beings were made for God – to know, enjoy, and glorify Him. We fulfill our purpose in life, our reason for being, when, in every aspect of our lives, all our speech and works, we experience God’s glory and give evidence of the existence of God and of His wisdom, goodness, beauty, truth, and love (Rom. 5:1, 2; 2 Cor. 3:12-18; 1 Cor. 10:31).
Paul explains that sin causes people to “fall short” of this purpose (Rom. 3:23). Rather than live in such a way as to demonstrate gratitude and give honor to God, people live in a way that allows them to fulfill their own self-interests and to indulge themselves by whatever means works to gratify their lusts (cf. Rom. 1:18-32).
To the one who is caught in the grip of sin and the father of lies, his chosen way of life seems to make perfectly good sense (Prov. 14:12). At least, it seems to make sense. He is able to make his own decisions about what’s most important, how he ought to live, what he owes to others or society, and what he can do with his time, money, and body.
People who live this way for many years come to believe this is simply the way everyone else lives, too. Granted, it may be necessary to make adjustments here and there, to accommodate the wishes of those in power over us – employers, say, or civil magistrates. But all such subordinating of our wills to the demands of those in power is just a step in the process of getting what we want. Life becomes pragmatic and morals merely relative when we have shoved off from God and set our sails into the winds of lies and mere self-interest.
The chosen lifestyle of one who is immersed in sin seems to be right. It makes sense to him to live as he does, even though he has his share of frustration, disappointment, and defeat. He knows struggles and setbacks, but he continues to believe that, if he just stays his chosen course in life – the course that makes sense to him – then, sooner or later, everything will work out as it should.
Meanwhile, he continues to drift further and further from God’s purpose for his life, even though he becomes more and more convinced that his chosen way of living is right for him. Such a person is still a reasoning being, but he has used his reason in a way that runs contrary to God’s thinking and purposes. He has built up around him an edifice of ideas, opinions, and poorly-considered beliefs, and he has set up shop within that framework, thinking it’s the right kind of accommodations for him. He has placed over his head a roof of unbelief, and his chosen habitation seems just right for him. All his highest thoughts, hopes, and aspirations rise up to the ceiling of his world view, but they can go no further. His thinking and longing will never enable him, on his own, to break through the roof tiles of his unbelieving worldview to discover the larger vistas of light and truth that lie beyond.
This is where we come in. As we get to know the people around us and take the time to listen to their stories and views, we will understand more about their chosen worldview – that way of life that seems right to them. And then we can begin looking for ways to drip the light of truth through the cracks and fissures in the ceiling of their thinking. By asking questions, exploring their views more carefully, and inviting them to explain their own way of thinking, we might be able to help them shift around the ceiling tiles of their worldview just enough to let the light of truth begin to show through.
Next steps
Make a list of questions you might begin asking the people in your Personal Mission Field in order to find out about that “way” that “seems right” to them. Here are a few: What do you believe about the world – where it came from? What kind of world this is? What about us: what’s your view of the greatest good anyone could do in life? And how are you seeking to do that? See if you can add to these a few more. Share them with your Christian friends. Then try them out on one or two of the unbelievers to whom Jesus has sent you. Work on your listening skills.
Begin your own ViewPoint study group. Start with this ViewPoint series, “A Reasonable Faith.” A free PDF version is available, complete with questions for reflection and discussion which you can use to study the seven lessons in this series with others.
Francis Schaeffer was one of the great defenders of the faith of the previous generation. You can order this Trilogy of his most seminal works and discover the power of a reasonable faith all over again. You might also benefit from reading the article “Truth with Love: The Apologetics of Francis Schaeffer” by Bing Davis.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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