"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." [Luke 13:24]
In this is the passage Jesus warns those he lived and worked among that they weren't saved by proximity. Many take it to mean salvation shouldn't be taken for granted, and in some sense isn't easy. This passage isn't unique. As we read in 1 Peter 4:15,
If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,Or 1 Tim 4:16,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
Watch both your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.The idea that salvation is difficult (which we work out with fear and trembling--Php 2:12) is a central, often unspoken tenet in much of the church. Which middle-class American can read of the camel and the eye of the needle in Luke 18 without feeling ill at ease?
Following Jesus is difficult. But what aspect is difficult? Belief? Forsaking money? Purity and holiness? Self-denial? Not compromising under pressure or persecution? All of the above?
In the subconscious of many Christians this logic occurs:
1) Salvation is difficult
2) Following Christ requires
3) Therefore [requirement]
Jesus said salvation is difficult; he didn't say that all aspects of the Christian life must be difficult. Our expectation can lead the any requirement in (2) and (3) to become difficult. Belief? Must be hard, or we've substituted a false, easier gospel. Not compromising? If it's not tough, we must be blending in. Forsaking money and possessions? If you've gotten used to tithing, then you are clearing not giving enough--not giving your "widow's mite." Self denial? If you ever become comfortable you clearly are in danger of stagnating. [*]
What do you find hardest in the Christian life? This may be your personal cross to bear. Just maybe, though, this is what you've decided discipleship entails, and therefore must be difficult. In other words, your point of greatest discomfort may reveal your answer to the question, What must I do to be saved?
Let's not forget, though, that Jesus tempered his warning with consolation. Gary DeLashmutt writes about the parable of the Good Samaritan,
[Jesus’ main point] is not that we should help people who break down on the freeway, but that the lawyer does not keep God’s Law, and therefore he does not qualify for inheriting eternal life.We disregard Jesus' warnings at our own peril--but we also carry many more burdens than necessary. Next time we head to church, we should ask whether we truly feel that his yoke is easy and burden is light. Do we forever feel behind the curve, forever longing for rest for our souls? Maybe the Holy Spirit is convicting us of a sin we need to address, or trying to purge us of legalism. Or maybe we need to hear again one of the most serene benedictions ever to grace parchment:
This is why Jesus taught two ways to go to heaven. Sometimes, he taught that eternal life was a free gift from God to be received by simple faith (Jn 3:16; 6:29; etc.). Sometimes, he taught that you have to earn your way to heaven by doing good works. He didn’t embrace two contradictory soteriologies—he spoke to two different kinds of people.
Whenever Jesus teaches the “earn your way” approach, it’s always to people who think they can (Mt 5:17-48; Mk 10:17-22; this lawyer). And it’s always so they’ll realize they can’t earn it and humble themselves to receive it as a free gift…
Whenever he teaches the “free gift” approach, it’s always to people who realize they can’t earn it (Samaritan woman; etc.). There is no need to convince them of this, so he goes straight to the good news.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thess 5:23-24 )
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Photograph: Amy Collins; The church of Simon of Cyrene, along the Via Dolorosa[*] This attitude can also infect our reading of Scripture: We read a passage, and look for the interpretation which makes life hardest.
4 comments:
Imagine learning algebra by reading letters from a tutor to a 7th grader. The tutor presents the material in a particular context: namely, one where the student is young an maybe even daunted by math.
If we read the tutor's letters as if they were written to us, we might find ourselves imagining that algebra *must* be a struggle--and that if it isn't, we must be doing something wrong.
Very insightful. It seems to me that much of the easy/hard viewpoint is tied up not so much in how we view scripture but in how we were raised and view the world. If you came out of an environment where your earthly parents taught that you should always work hard but your work will never be done and never be good enough, then you're likely to find it hard to escape that kind of relationship with God. If you found home to be a place of rest from the day's labor and a shelter where your acceptance was based on who you are rather than what you've done, then then yoke is far more likely to be easy. Progress away from these initial conditions is typically measured in smaller dimensions that we'd like, even if we know the direction we're supposed to head.
Linderly,
Wow--that's an excellent point. We do tend to make God in our parents' image. I know what you say is true in my spiritual life.
Measured in smaller dimensions: Amen. Some days it's hard to imagine any real progress in this area.
I do like the thought, though, that by thinking about what we find hard about salvation we can use Scripture to discern what burdens are self-imposed.
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