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Jesus Is Both Good and Safe!

Jesus Is Both Good and Safe!

In his beloved Christian allegorical novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis wrote the following exchange as the children are preparing to encounter Aslan the lion for the first time:

Susan: “Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

Mrs. Beaver: “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

Lucy: “Then he isn’t safe?”

Mr. Beaver: “Safe? … Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you” (New York, NY: Harper, 1950, p. 80).

C.S. Lewis later confirmed that Aslan was indeed a character intended to represent Jesus. So it is right to ask the question, Is Jesus not only good but also safe? 

C.S. Lewis has written so many wonderful things and advanced the gospel to millions, if not billions. I have personally been blessed by his writings and have grown in my own journey with God from reading what he wrote. So I wonder if this idea from a fantasy series has been taken by many to mean something Lewis never intended? Could it be that we can determine what Lewis actually meant by the lion not being safe in what he wrote at the end of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:

But amid all these rejoicings Aslan himself quietly slipped away. And when the Kings and Queens noticed that he wasn’t there they said nothing about it. For Mr. Beaver had warned them, “He’ll be coming and going” he had said. “One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down—and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild you know. Not like a tame lion” (p. 182).

Could Lewis have simply meant that Jesus is the King of kings and, as sovereign, is not on our leash, that He is not ours to control, and that it is not “safe” for us to try to force Jesus to do what we want Him to do?

But is that the same as suggesting Jesus Himself is not safe, that Jesus is a source of danger and threat? I wonder if many read Lewis’ words—“He isn’t safe. But he is good”—and project in their own ideas, ones that the author never meant, ideas that come from the Dark Ages church, ideas that are based in the lie that God’s law functions like human law, imposed rules that require the rule-giver to use power to punish rule-breakers? And, therefore, while teaching that the lion is “good,” because he died to save humans, they also teach that the lion isn’t safe because the lion is required by law, by authority, by justice to use his power to inflict pain, suffering, and death upon the wicked?

This view of a punishing god comes from a human-law view of God and God’s law, a view inspired by Satan. God’s ways and laws are not like human ways and laws (Isaiah 55:8). God is the Creator of the universe. His laws are the design laws that reality itself is built upon. Breaking God’s laws are like breaking the laws of health, like tying a plastic bag over your head and breaking the law of respiration; the act of breaking the law causes the injury, inflicts the harm, and results in ruin and death.

Death does not come from God; death comes from sin, from breaking God’s design laws for life:

  • “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23 NIV84).
  • “Sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15 NIV84).
  • “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction” (Galatians 6:8 NIV84).

God is the source of life; He is not the source of death! It is “our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light” (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV84). Jesus became human “so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14, 15 NIV84).

Jesus “takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV84); Jesus takes away the cause of pain, the infection of sin, the source of suffering, and the basis of death. Sin is the cause of death, and Jesus is our remedy to the sin problem and restores us to eternal life (Romans 6:23). We have nothing to fear from Jesus; we have everything to fear from sin, from our distrust of Jesus’ and refusing Him as our remedy, from believing the lies of Satan that God and His Son are not safe.

If a person is dying of a terminal disease and there is the most compassionate and loving doctor who has a cure that works one hundred percent of the time for all who put themselves under the doctor’s care and follow the doctor’s instructions, would anyone say of the doctor, “He isn’t safe, but he is good”?

If a person with a terminal condition refused the doctor’s treatment, does the doctor become their enemy? If a patient doesn’t like the taste of the medicine so they cheat and throw away the doctor’s remedy and substitute their own “medicine” that tastes good to them—will the doctor harm them? What actually happens? Is the doctor suddenly unsafe? Couldn’t it be accurately said, “It is not safe to cheat?” But does that mean the doctor is not safe?

Does the doctor injure, harm, or kill the dying patient who refuses his treatment or cheats?

Yes, Jesus is not “tame.” He is not our pet. He is not ours to manipulate, to direct, to control, to exploit, to force to perform tricks to our liking, or to demand He give us the “treatment” we want; if we try to do so, we will discover that we are not actually dealing with Jesus but with our own perverse imaginings about Him and, perhaps, even a false Christ, the White Witch pretending to be our friend. It certainly isn’t safe to try to force Jesus to do what we want.

But this is quite different from the idea that Jesus is not safe. When you think of a lion, do you feel safe or frightened? If you feel frightened, is it because you think of the lions that we see in this world of sin?

But what of the lion that God made in Eden or the lion as Isaiah describes will be in the New Earth?

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6 NIV84).

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox” (Isaiah 65:25 NIV84).

Are you frightened by these lions? Which is a more accurate depiction of Jesus: a safe lion like Adam enjoyed in Eden, or the lions damaged by sin that we see in this world, lions that are ravenous beasts that kill and destroy?

It is true—we will never tame Jesus; we will never make Him our pet to control and train to do tricks for us. But Jesus is both good and safe. In fact, it is only in Jesus that we find true safety—safety from the true source of pain, suffering, and death. Jesus is our only remedy and protector from our true enemy: sin and Satan.

So, I find that Jesus is both good and safe; I hope you do also.

 

 

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I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 74

Thank you so much for opening my eyes. I’ve been through a lot of ministries that just didn’t show the love of God that I felt he was. You have helped me to begin the process of true healing. I thought I was “too far gone,” now I know there’s hope in Jesus, because he loves us beyond what we can comprehend. Thank you again for all you do. I truly appreciate it and pray more people find you (physical at your studio and through this website).

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Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA