C.S. Lewis's message concerning free will is that God helps the one's
willing to convert and that each person that is saved must take the first step
towards his salvation by wanting all sin out of his life.
He believes each person is presented with a choice that will determine
their salvation. This choice is whether or not they want to continue living in sin
or if they want to live for God. They must give their permission for their sin to
be destroyed, for it can only be done from their will, " I can't kill it against your
will. It is impossible. Have I your permission?"(99). By giving one's permission
the process of salvation will begin. Although it may be hard or even painful they
must choose to rid themselves of their sin to obtain everlasting life. It is very
tough to give your permission to rid something that you have lived forever with,
but that is the choice one must make. For example, A man wanted his lizard,
which represents his sin, to be quiet, but when he learned that it would entail
killing it he became scared and quickly changed his mind because he was afraid
it would hurt. After a while he gave his permission, but it took a while because it
was hard to overcome his fear. At one point he suggested he could keep his sin
in order and that " the gradual process would be far better than killing it."(98)
because he was fearful of living without his sin. This same fear can cause other
men not to give their permission to let their sin destroyed.
Lewis also believes many men, when given the choice, will choose eternal
damnation over God because of something they value more than Him. Many
will choose a sin they feel that they cannot live without rather than sit next to His
side in heaven. They would rather go to hell and keep whatever it is they value
so much than lose it, " He'd fight to the death to keep it. He'd like we
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