Hearts of Rebellion

From De Profundis, by C.S. Lewis

O universal strength, I know it well,
It is but froth of folly to rebel;
For thou art Lord and hast the key of Hell.

Yet I will not bow down to thee nor love thee,
For looking in my own heart I can prove thee,
And know this frail, bruised being is above thee.

These verses from C.S. Lewis hardly reflect the writings most of us know. They are from his first published work, “Spirits in Bondage”, a book of poetry published before his conversion to Christianity.

Powerful verses, aren’t they?

This work reveals the heart and mind of a man struggling with the idea of God… recognizing the power of the Almighty, yet refusing to submit to Him. Culminating in blasphemous rebellion, claiming that the man is above his Creator.

A heart of rebellion.

Ultimately, if we’re brutally honest with ourselves, we ALL have had this kind of heart.

Full of pride. Believing that our ways are greater. Refusing to submit to God. Questioning His goodness.

Hearts of rebellion.

Yet still loved by the Creator our very nature tends to reject.

Scripture paints an unbelievable picture of His grace toward us:

Romans 5:6-8
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While we were still sinners.

While our hearts were full of filth.

In our depravity.

Christ died for us.

If we have ANY appreciation of the lengths Christ went for us… the ungodly, unworthy, rebellious souls we are… we have no excuse not to run desperately to take hold of the gift of redemption He offers. Embracing the life He expects us to live. Doing everything that we can to follow where He leads.

He offers us something far better than what we come to Him with.

Hearts of hope.