Three Free Sins by Steve Brown

Author:Steve Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Books

You have met the phenomenon of an Inner Ring. You discovered one in your house at school before the end of the first term. And when you had climbed up to somewhere near it by the end of your second year, perhaps you discovered that within the Ring there was a Ring yet more inner, which in its turn was the fringe of the great school Ring to which the house Rings were only satellites. It is even possible that the School Ring was almost in touch with a Master’s Ring. You were beginning, in fact, to pierce through the skins of the onion. And here, too, at your university—shall I be wrong in assuming that at this very moment, invisible to me, there are several rings—independent systems or concentric rings—present in this room? And I can assure you that in whatever hospital, inn of court, diocese, school, business, or college you arrive after going down, you will find the Rings. Of all passions the passion for the Inner Ring is most skilful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things. 3

In other words, intentionally trying to be a part of the in group can mess you up. Lewis then suggests that one should find out what one does well and do it. Then one will find himself or herself in a real inner ring and the only one that matters. Obsessive concern with achieving anything (including being a part of the inner ring) will often be the very thing that assures you won’t achieve the object of your obsession.

The book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible is a realistic and, I believe, accurate view of the world as it is—especially when God isn’t factored into the equation. The writer of Ecclesiastes has been there, done that, and has several T-shirts. He allows us to see what is important and what isn’t. Let me give you a verse from that book: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (9:10). That means your life is too important to waste on trying to do the impossible. Best to do what you’re called to do, what you do best, and what is put in front of you. Then the impossible might become possible. In other words, almost everything of any importance is found when you are headed somewhere else, and that includes getting better.

FOUR TRUTHS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

I want to give you four truths that can change your life and maybe even make you better. Then again, maybe not on the “better” part, but that’s okay.

1. You don’t have to get better.

This first truth is the essence of the gospel and this book. You don’t have to get better to get God to love you. You don’t have to get better to maintain God’s love. You don’t have to get better to witness. You don’t have to get better to be forgiven. You don’t have to get better to “make a difference.

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