Our "Fallen" state

So many Christians strive for a fulfilling life in our world today without realizing how contrary to following Christ that is.  What will surprise people even more is why such a life is contrary to the Christian message.  Even though Christ truly has accomplished our salvation, we remain trapped in a perspective that is inescapably attached to our fallen state!  Because of which, there is so much more to a Christian life than simply abstaining from sin in so far as we understand our own sins.  We must also repent our sinfulness, which can only be fully understood by recognizing the perspective that results from our fallen state.

In our fallen state we seek pleasures for their own sake, rather than reserving them to the intended purpose for which God gave them to us.  Using sex as an example: We are motivated for sexual activity by our desire for the pleasure experienced from the act, rather reserving the pleasure of sexual activity exclusively to the sacred interior motion of facilitating the complete and mutual surrender of hearts to form a oneness that was never intended to be breached in any way, much less compromised by multiple partners, or worst yet broken by divorce.  As a consequence, the "fallen perspective" sees sex as the object where its pleasure is sought as the fulfillment as if that were its purpose, rather than seeing it as the means for delivering us to the emotional oneness that accomplishes the complete mutual surrender of hearts, out of which new life becomes. 

Because we are trapped in this "fallen perspective," we are called to make of our lives a living sacrifice.  As Paul says, "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.  Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."  (Rom. 12: 1-2)  We are to endure the suffering associated with denying the acquisition of these fallen values.  It is in the very sufferings of this specific kind of self-denial that we accomplish making our own life into a living sacrifice for the Lord, and have our eyes opened to perceiving the kingdom of God. 

The only solution to this "fallen perspective" is entering the kingdom of God.  However, in order to realize that we must becoming born of Spirit.  As Jesus says, "Amen, amen, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.  What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit."  (Jn. 3: 5-6)  For that to have actually been realized by the individual believer, that person must have arrived at the state of not being capable of sinning.  It is only by entering into the kingdom of God that we are able to penetrate the mire of the fallen perspective, though without ever becoming exempt from it's influence; for because we are fallen we remain subject to temptation.

This entrance into the kingdom of God is the perception of life that will never end.  It is by living according to this new perspective while battling tirelessly against the influences of the world that, as Jesus said, "whoever keeps my word will never see death."  (Jn. 8: 51)  This is the road that leads to life.  Due to its lack of appeal and the great measure of endurance required to sustain such a way of life, few indeed will find this road.

And so, I pose the question: Are you up to the quest? 

For help read: "A Layman's Journey: In Search of Spirituality."

"Will only few be saved?"

When teaching in the towns and villages as he made his way to Jerusalem, Jesus was asked if only few would be saved.  Jesus responded by saying; "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."  (Lk. 13:24)  In Matthew's account of the Sermon on the Mount, the parallel of this passage reads; "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.  How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.  And those who find it are few."  (Mt. 7:13-14) 

The assumption seems to have always been, those who pass through the broad gate are destined for damnation.  For that to be true, than only few will be saved; and those fortunate few will become so through their own capabilities because they were "strong enough."  Contrarily, we have salvation only because Christ won it for us, not through any merit of our own.  As Paul teaches, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast."  (Eph. 2: 8-9) 

In a later passage Paul also discusses how some will be saved, but through the fire.  "The work of each will come to light, for the day will disclose it.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire [itself] will test the quality of each one's work.  If someone's work is burnt up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire."  (1 Cor. 3:13,15)  To paraphrase Mark 9: 43-48, Jesus said if your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin then cut them off, or pluck it out.  It is better to enter life maimed, crippled, or with one eye, than to be cast into Gahanna whole.  This doesn't just apply to minor sins.  Paul also expresses the same perspective concerning a grave mortal sin.  When addressing how incest was to be dealt with Paul says, "You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."  (1 Cor. 5:5)

When considering all of these passages it seems clear that there will indeed be few that fulfill Christ's call to holiness (entering through the narrow gate), while most will fall short of that ideal but will still be saved through some sort of destructive process that makes them fit for eternal life (entering through the broad gate).

The answer to my question posed on the "Rebirth and the Eucharist" blog is; No!  This does not mean only those who accomplish conformity to the holy standard of not sinning will be saved.

What then does Jesus mean by only few will find the road that leads to life?  For my answer!