Necessity - the mother of invention

It would appear that it was Plato who first coined the phrase, “Necessity . . . the mother of invention.”  The exact origin is debated by scholars but there is little doubt this truism was well entrenched in the English language by the 17th century.  Whatever its origin, the idea that we are driven to find solutions to problems is a generally accepted.

If necessity is the mother of invention, then pragmatism is its fun aunt.  There is an urban legend that during the days of the space race, NASA spent tens of thousands of dollars developing a pen that could write in space.  The Russians sent up pencils.  Which was the better solution?

Pragmatic solutions, while often “easier” in some sense (cheaper, faster, simpler) are not always the best path forward.  There is a time and a place for “good enough.”  Slapping duct tape on a puncture in a tire is not one of them.  Using zip ties to connect the drive chain on your motorcycle isn’t one of them.  Trying to outrun a train at a level crossing isn’t one of them.

Where we see pragmatism grow in greater abundance than dandelions in an abandoned yard is the pursuit of life in the Kingdom of God.  There is great appeal to be part of the Kingdom:  forgiveness of sins, going to heaven when we die, and the promise of peace, joy, and hope in the journey there.  To listen to some, we could easily think that Jesus was simply selling celestial time-shares, redeemable upon our expiration here on earth.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  Jesus seems to put obstacles in the way of those who want to enter the Kingdom - at least for those who want to enter it pragmatically.  The Gospel writers record for us statements like, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27 ESV)  Another time, He said it was almost impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (Mat. 19:24).  Not surprisingly, His listeners often reacted in shock;  that standard does seem a little harsh.

This is a part of what makes the Kingdom of God unique.  The problem of entering it cannot be solved by invention - pragmatic or not.  The standard by which we enter is at once both simple and complex.  It is by mere confession of our dependence on God for His forgiveness by His grace because of the work of Christ.  This is also the hardest thing to do.  Something in our human psyche cannot resolve the simplicity of accepting this free gift of grace with the obvious immeasurable value of that gift.  Surely, we reason, we have to do something!

While entrance into the Kingdom is simple, life in the Kingdom is not easy.  The Apostle Paul describes his own struggle in Romans 7:  “What I want to do, I don’t; what I don’t want to do, I do.  I’m a mess!” (Graham’s version).  He also described following Jesus as requiring the effort and discipline of a farmer (2 Tim. 3:6), an athlete (1 Cor. 9:25), or a soldier (2 Tim. 2:3-4).  His point is that life in the Kingdom means deferred gratification, discipline, and, as Jesus said, “counting the cost” of life in the Kingdom (Luke 14:28).  

Herein lies the beauty of God’s provision for us.  Christ has done all necessary for reconciliation to God AND to live in His Kingdom.  The Apostle Paul described the subsequent renewal work of the Holy Spirit in his mind (Rom. 12:1-2, Col. 4:23), his inner being (2 Cor. 4:16), and his “new self” in Christ (Col. 3:10).  He summarized it this way, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7 ESV).

If the story about NASA is true, we can all share a chuckle.  “What were they thinking?”  When it comes to life in the Kingdom, we may be tempted to think, “What was God thinking?”   I can answer that:  He was thinking of His great love with which He created us.