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"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
Included in the Good News of our salvation is Jesus' insistence that we must strive to enter through the narrow gate. We cannot be whatever God wants of us -- let's call it human -- unless we strive for it. The effort may not be necessary twenty-four-seven; we can rest and allow ourselves to be refreshed by indolence. But even that requires a certain discipline. Some of us would rather give than receive; we feel more in control with giving and get very anxious when we're not Doing Something. And others would rather receive than give, they're lazy.
The Letter to the Hebrews recalls the catastrophe in the Sinai Desert, when the Lord grew weary of his people because they took him for granted. The Author cites Psalm 95: "I swore in my anger, they shall not enter into my rest." He goes on to say,
Traditionally the Church calls those experiences "private revelation." We take them with a large grain of salt. Most private revelation is irrelevant and harmless. It's usually banal. But when it dissuades us from doing what is necessary like repenting and atoning for our sins, private revelation is dangerous. And unscriptural.
Each day we should rise to the challenge. How will I strive to enter that rest today? Perhaps it's with time spent in reassuring prayer. Or a quiet walk in the sunshine. But it will more often be attending to the duties and the chores God has chosen for us.
...a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.Many people prefer their own notion of life's ending: heaven is a grand vacation where the just will get anything and everything they want, and the unjust will also find welcome. They also like to think the passage from here to there -- once the soul has deserted the body -- will be simple and pleasant. The religious book racks are full of such pap. "Heaven is real!" we are assured by little boys and neurosurgeons.
Traditionally the Church calls those experiences "private revelation." We take them with a large grain of salt. Most private revelation is irrelevant and harmless. It's usually banal. But when it dissuades us from doing what is necessary like repenting and atoning for our sins, private revelation is dangerous. And unscriptural.
Each day we should rise to the challenge. How will I strive to enter that rest today? Perhaps it's with time spent in reassuring prayer. Or a quiet walk in the sunshine. But it will more often be attending to the duties and the chores God has chosen for us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.