Either Valjean or Javert: Looking at Grace and Law in Les Miserables

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

My daughter loves musicals. I do not. 

However, I do love the story of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables so I told my daughter I would watch the 2012 movie musical rendition with her (although I skipped a few parts for her sake). The movie, starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russel Crowe, is as brutal as it is beautiful. 

(Note: If you have not read or seen Les Miserables, spoilers are ahead.)

The hero of Hugo’s epic is Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who steals some silver from the hospitable Bishop Myriel while on parole. Although Valjean is later caught with the silver by the police and brought back to the bishop, the compassionate man of God not only forgives Valjean but tells the police that the silver was a gift and then gives him more*.

Jean Valjean by Gustav Brion

Valjean is stunned by this act of grace and mercy and it begins to change his heart toward God and man. 

The antagonist is Javert, a police official whose obsession with justice and with catching Valjean leaves no room for grace, mercy or forgiveness. 

As the story unfolds, we see that one of the main themes is that of the tension between law and grace, between justice and mercy, between Javert and Valjean. This tension is also one of the main themes of the Bible. 

The Bible calls Moses’ Law “good” (Romans 7:12) but it is only helpful to the extent that it can lead us to acknowledge our need for a Saviour (Galatians 3:24-25).  The Law by itself can only condemn, it cannot save. Only grace can do that. 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works (of the law), so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

After Valjean shows grace without condition to Javert by not killing him when he has the chance, Javert is at a loss to grasp his actions. He simply cannot comprehend grace or mercy and thus he sings out:

“I am the law and the law is not mocked

I'll spit his pity right back in his face

There is nothing on earth that we share

It is either Valjean or Javert.”

Javert then throws himself into the Siene. 

Javert knew only the law; a cold, bitter, merciless justice. Valjean had known the law as well, however, when he experienced grace from the bishop, he accepted it and begin to show it to others. Javert would not accept it, therefore he ended up where law without grace always does – a dead end. 

The tension between law and grace in Les Miserables is only broken by the death of Javert (who is a type of the law). In the Bible, the tension is only dissolved by the death of Jesus Christ who thus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do… God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.” Romans 8:1-3

For the antagonist of Les Miserables, it was “either Valjean or Javert”, either grace or law, either mercy or justice. For Valjean though both could exist at once. 

At the cross, law met grace and was fulfilled. At Calvary, justice kissed mercy and they were wed. Only there can we be justified, forgiven and made righteous in the eyes of God. 

Let us be convicted by the law, but let us never stop there. Let us eagerly seek, accept and show the free grace that is in Christ. This is what changes the world and prepares us for the next - like it did for Jean Valjean. 

Javert by Gustav Brion

*It’s interesting to note that, like the bishop, Jesus not only took away our sins but gave us a gift – his own righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

 

Strength in Weakness

We often hear that trials make us stronger and, in a sense, that is true. 

For the Christian though, what is really happening is not that *our* strength is becoming greater but that *Christ’s* strength is becoming greater in us. Although this is counter-cultural, understanding it keeps us from boasting. 

As Jesus said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect (or ‘fulfilled”) in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

As we learn to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves in, we find that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:11-13).

I did not fully realize this until I came to the very end of myself and all that was left was the grace of God. During that time, I had to rely on God in a fuller way than I had ever experienced before in my life, and do so moment by moment.  

This is a very hard lesson to learn (I think especially for men) but, in the end, it’s actually liberating. Much more is accomplished for the kingdom when you let Christ’s strength work in and through you. 

As Paul said after this encounter with Jesus, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

Can a Christian Love Himself?

Many conservative Christians are leery of the concept of loving yourself. They, like me, are afraid of becoming proud or selfish or worldly. They, like me, also have a tendency to believe that because we have a sin nature (which is indeed a problem) we are damaged goods that must be unlovable.

Here are 4 thoughts on this:

1)     > God created each human in his image (see Genesis 1) and loves us extravagantly as we are (yes even before getting right with him - see Romans 5:6-11.) Even though the image of God in us has been marred by sin, it is still there and of infinite value.

2)     > Jesus told us that the second greatest commandment in Scripture is to love our neighbours as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). The obvious implication is that we must love ourselves adequately before we can love our neighbour effectively.  A husband is also advised that to love his wife is to love himself. He is to love her as his own body (Ephesians 5:28-29). 

3)     > In addition to all of this, we see that God came down in human form in order to reconcile us to himself in the greatest act of love and mercy ever conceived. Now, even our sin nature has been dealt with if we accept the saving grace of Jesus’s death on the cross. Now, the image of God is being restored in us as we are conformed to Jesus – and one day that image will be perfected in us again.

4)     > Indeed, pride, selfishness and other sins are evil and need to be repented of by the grace of God. It’s good to hate the sin within us (see Romans 7), however, none of that involves hating ourselves (which is really just pride reversed – ironically, a sin in itself).

To be clear I’m not referring to the secular idea of loving oneself. This view implies that there is nothing wrong between us and God in our natural state and that sin is non-issue. It also tends to put ourselves above others and to make the individual more important than the community.

As Christians, we do not want to avoid the reality of sin; nor do we want self-exaltation or self-absorption in our lives (e.g. 2 Timothy 3:2). While we are to deny ourselves as Jesus called us to (Matthew 16:24), we still need self-respect and appropriate self-care. This is God-honouring.

In light of the 4 points above I believe we not only *can* love ourselves but *must* love ourselves in appropriate ways. If we really believe that God loves us immensely as we are, who are we not to love ourselves? Perhaps even, if we allow ourselves to be kind and loving to ourselves, we will actually better understand God’s love for us.

 I’m still working on this…

Christians and Anxiety

  

Anxiety is on the rise in our society, and so are the number of Christian articles on the topic. Some are good while some miss the mark. As a Christian and a person with lived experience of an anxiety disorder (OCD), I thought I would join in the conversation.

Although there are various causes of anxiety, the major thing that many Christian articles miss is the need for a clear distinction between biologically-based anxiety (anxiety dependent on genetics and brain function) and what I will call normative anxiety (anxiety we all feel at times based largely on our circumstances) *.

Both the Bible and science have good things to add to the conversation around anxiety and, if we are wise, we will listen to both.

Here is a small example of what the Bible says about normative anxiety:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Jesus, in Matthew 6:25, 27, 33

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

We see that Jesus and Paul don’t want us worry but rather seek first the kingdom of God, bring everything to God in prayer and be thankful.  This is wonderful advice to those with anxiety.

Here again though, the distinction between biologically-based anxiety and normative anxiety must be made!  Science has given us much knowledge of the brain and how it works and we have learned that dysfunction in this amazing organ can lead to anxiety. This dysfunction can be caused by genetics, imbalance of brain chemicals and even trauma.

How do we know which form of anxiety a person may be dealing with though? Professionals usually base a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (biologically-based anxiety) on the nature, degree and longevity of the impairment caused by anxiety in an individual**.

We instinctively know that if we break our leg, we will need medical treatment, time and therapy to recover. However, we often fail to intuit this when it comes to forms of mental illness including anxiety disorders.

I’ve seen anxious Christians deny themselves help because they believe they are somehow failing spiritually when in reality they are dealing with some degree of anxiety disorder. I’ve also seen Christian leaders shame and guilt those suffering with anxiety.*** Ironically, this only causes further distress and despair.

I know that walking by faith and obedience to God and living a healthy lifestyle helps with anxiety. I have wrestled with agonizing disordered anxiety at many times in my life though, and I thank God that he helped me to see that there is also great value in counseling, medication and therapy. Having a wonderful community of people who are understanding, wise and compassionate is also a rich blessing.

If you are experiencing unusual anxiety, I urge you to be kind to yourself and reach out for help. If you know someone who is exhibiting unusual anxiety, please be slow to judgement and quick to listen and support.

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*The same can be said for depression and other forms of mental health issues.

**According to the Sanctuary Course on Mental Health.

*** Even if a person is lacking in faith, it is still the kindness of God that leads us to repentance and the gentle working of the Spirit that produces faith.   

4 Types of Healing in the Christian Faith

I was angered and distraught as I read an article detailing how a group of people who claimed to believe in God’s healing power withheld insulin from a young diabetic girl. Regrettably, but predictably, she died as they “prayed and sang” over her. 

This is an extreme example of delusion, of course. However, it reminds me that we (especially as people who believe in God) should be careful how we view healing.  Here are 4 ways that healing can be viewed from a Biblical and practical perspective. 

1. Miraculous 

Indeed, God can perform miracles of healing as exemplified in many parts of the Bible. In their beliefs on miraculous healing today, modern Christians range anywhere from extreme Cessationism (there are no miraculous healings anymore) to extreme Continuationism (everything should be miraculously healed). 

I do not subscribe to either extreme but fall somewhere in the middle. I believe God can and does still heal today but I know He does not always (see Paul’s thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10, Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20 and Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 for examples).

2. Natural

There is a story told of a man stuck on the roof of his house while a flood envelops the neighbourhood. He prays to God to deliver him. 

Later on, a woman in a boat comes along and offers him safety but he refuses because he is relying on God. After this, a helicopter drops a rope ladder down to him but he declines the rescue because he is relying on God alone.  

When the man finally drowns and goes to heaven, he is angry with God for not delivering him from the flood. God replies that He gave the man multiple forms of rescue and the man refused them all.  

God also designs our bodies to heal themselves with the proper cooperation on our part. We seek to live in a healthy manner, we get a cast if we break a bone and we definitely take insulin if we have diabetes. In my case, I take medications designed to bring my brain back closer to where it should be naturally. Even Paul advised Timothy to take medicine (in this case, a little wine) for his many ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). 

Don’t refuse God’s help in the form of medicine and healthcare.

3. Final

The great hope of the Christian is that they will one day be with Jesus fully and completely, in what we call heaven. The Scriptures tells us that in that place and time, 

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Here is the ultimate cure; what one songwriter called ‘the final healing’. We  look forward to this day with great hope. 

4. Recovery

Before I wrap this up though, I want to share one more iteration of healing that I have come to find. Some call it “recovery” or “ongoing healing”. This form of healing is especially for those of us with chronic illnesses where there is no complete cure in this life.

Recovery is “a journey toward a meaningful life” despite not being symptom free. Research (*see the Sanctuary course) says it involves:

> Hope in the future

> A positive sense of identity

> Personal responsibility

> Education 

> Engaging in community 

For me, I most often find these things through my faith in Jesus. 

So, take heart. Like the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12), a person who is not fully cured from their chronic illness (or "thorn in the flesh") can still live a meaningful and beautiful life that impacts others for good. We can live in victory despite not being free of all symptoms.

Whatever type of healing we find in this life, let us be careful not to judge those who find it in a different way. Jehovah Rapha (the LORD who heals) brings that healing in more than one form.

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*Note: this article was inspired by a course I’m taking on the intersection of mental health and faith called the Sanctuary Course.