What It Really Means To Be Good!

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In the chapter titled "Nice People or New Men" from C.S. Lewis's book Mere Christianity, Lewis discusses the distinction between simply being a "nice" person and becoming a new person through Christian transformation. He explores the Christian belief that the ultimate goal of a Christian's life is not merely to be ethical and pleasant (nice), but to undergo a profound internal change that aligns one with the nature of Christ.
Lewis points out that the concept of "niceness" or moral decency can often be confused with true Christian virtue. While niceness is culturally conditioned and can vary widely between societies or even eras, the transformation sought in Christianity transcends cultural norms and aims at a deeper renovation of the human character.
He argues that the process of becoming a new person in Christ is much more challenging and significant than just being nice. This transformation involves a radical reorientation of one’s desires, thoughts, and behaviors, directed by the Holy Spirit. It's about becoming part of the "good infection" spread by Christ, allowing His life to live through the believer, fundamentally changing who they are.
Lewis warns that the new life promised by Christianity involves hardship and struggle, often going against one's natural inclinations. It’s a lifelong process that requires discipline and the grace of God. Ultimately, becoming a new man means participating in the divine nature, a far more ambitious goal than merely adhering to social morals.
He concludes that while being "nice" is good, it is not enough for the kind of transformation Christianity aims for. The real challenge and goal is to be made new, to be reborn into the image of Christ, which is a divine work and the true essence of Christian morality.

[@dylanhawkins9804]

CS Lewis, Dallas Willard, and Tim Keller are for me as of now the best intellectual thinkers of Christian ideas. Strongly encourage look up at least one.

[@johnbradshaw5097]

Ah! Got the first comment😊. You’re doing a good job Sea Harp.

[@decentguy11]

😂

[@milels6917]

What a wonderful thinker deep although I know this I could never put it into words like this man What a gift to this world

[@milels6917]

The bad Christians and good atheists what a thought .All other religions only touch on the Christian religion but with our personalities our weaknesses we fail.Christ could not change St Peter over night it’s a journey but we have insight and really see how our stupidity can spoil others lives for the bad. So change we do .

[@ltkeith-ck1sa]

Yes, i agree with the "first comment". Thank You, it is not in vain but a blessing ...

[@azothansanga8522]

Thank you very much for uploading such a wonderful talk.

[@ericchristen2623]

Come on Lewis! A convenient argument. Some of the biggest monsters in history were Catholic bishops. Not to mention the protestant maniacs who were witch hunters! And, of course, no one expects the Spanish Inquistion! 😅

[@JW_______]

What of evil bishops and "protestant maniacs"? Men motivated by fear, ambition, and love of power rather than love of God and their fellow man act counter to their professed Christian faith. It is the very evil that Christ identified, condemned, and gave us a prescription for. And what did he prescribe? He demanded that his followers take up their cross and follow Him, that they crucify their old self with it's selfish desires and become transformed by the renewing of their minds. Any actions taken for the sake of self and the sake of power are fundamentally un-Christ-like. Christ's example to us of holiness is that, being God, he did not consider equality with the Father a thing to be held onto, but instead came to us (humankind) in the form of a lowly servant.

[@awetish]

Thanks for sharing such uplifting teaching, May God change us to be good by the Grace of our saviour Jesus Christ. God bless.