I am now reading back through the Chronicles of Narnia with my younger children. No matter how many times I re-read these stories it is a gospel-rich joy. It is fun to share the wonder with my children to whom it is new and to be caught up in the stories again.<\/p>\n
Recently we read the section where the White Witch lays her claim on Edmund\u2019s life because he is a traitor. It becomes clear to everyone that she has a real claim, and this eventually leads to much fear and worry. However, C. S. Lewis\u2019s description of Edmund at this moment is a powerful portrayal of gospel security. While the Witch is talking about her claim on a traitor and everyone is thinking of Edmund, Lewis writes:<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Edmund had got past thinking about himself after all he’d been through and after the talk he\u2019d had that morning. He just went on looking at Aslan. It didn\u2019t seem to matter what the Witch said.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The accuser is there making it clear she has a right to execute him, but Edmund is unperturbed because he keeps his eyes fixed on Aslan. Of course, \u2018the talk he’d had that morning\u2019 was with Aslan, where he had repented and Aslan had restored him. With the knowledge that Aslan had restored and accepted him, the Witches words, no matter how frightening, mattered not all.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve read the stories you know Alsan is a picture of Jesus and the Witch represents Satan, our accuser. We need to learn the lesson Edmund learned. So often, when the enemy brings his accusations against us we are flustered and try to defend ourselves. We know that ultimately we are guilty. Our hope lies not in our righteousness but in the work of our Advocate. We must quiet ourselves and let Him speak. If we will set our eyes on Him, then it will not seem to matter what the Accuser says. As we sing:<\/p>\n
“When Satan tempts me to despair,
\nAnd tells me of the guilt within
\nUpward I look and see Him there
\nWho made an end to all my sin.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAnd the song writer is simply expressing the truths of the book of Hebrews from passages like this one:<\/p>\n
since we have a great high priest over the house of God,\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water (Heb 10:21-22).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Our evil conscience cooperates with the Devil accusing us, saying, \u201cWho are you to draw near to God? I know your sin! I\u2019ve seen your rebellion. You are a worm!\u201d We dare not point to ourselves in defense. Instead, we acknowledge, \u201cI am a worm. But behold the worm\u2019s God!\u201d We must fix our eyes on Jesus trusting in his work and giving no heed to the Accuser.<\/p>\n
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?\u00a0It is God who justifies.\u00a0Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died\u2014more than that, who was raised\u2014who is at the right hand of God,\u00a0who indeed is interceding for us. (Rom 8:33-34)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Yes, I need to remember the lesson of Edmund and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:1).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I am now reading back through the Chronicles of Narnia with my younger children. No matter how many times I re-read these stories it is a gospel-rich joy. It is fun to share the wonder with my children to whom it is new and to be caught up in the stories again. Recently we read …<\/p>\n