THE PATH THAT LEADS TO SALVATION

Our "triumph in Christ," taken in an ancient Roman context, suggests a magnificent picture of unwilling captive soldiers paraded before the victorious commander’s chariot, while fragrant flowers are strewn along the way in celebration. The Victor is our Lord Jesus Christ; the captives are the powers of darkness; His "fragrance" is the Apostolic Diakonia (Ministry), especially its preaching. Christians are the winning forces who triumph through the hearing of the "word of God" and joining the great procession of thanksgiving "leading to life" (salvation).

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). "The way, truth, and the life" is a Person, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is so because of His perfect union with His Father. THE WAY we reach the Father is forever established through the Son. Jesus IS THE TRUTH because He is the unique revelation of the Father, Who is the goal of our journey through life. Christ IS THE LIFE, the uncreated Eternal Life manifest in the flesh, so that we might have life. Because of this, "NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH" THE SON. While aspects of goodness and truth are found among all people by virtue of their being created int the IMAGE and LIKENESS of God, SALVATION COMES THROUGH CHRIST ALONE.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" [Matthew 7:13-14]. The description of the two ways is widespread in Judaism, and in early Christian writings (Didachi, Barnabas). Saint Luke’s version (Luke 13:24-30) is more eschatological, referring to the end of the age. Because we wrestle against human sins and weaknesses, as well as the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12), entering the Kingdom involves "difficult" labor and unrelenting struggle. The Holy Fathers of the Church like Saints Clement of Rome and Ignatius believed that the path to Our Lord Jesus Christ involves faith and conversion, culminating in a life of agape and good works or works of love. The Holy Fathers stressed the significance of both believing in Christ and living a life that reflects that belief. God the Holy Spirit, they taught, plays a crucial role in this transformation, empowering believers to resist sin and live a life pleasing and acceptable to our Benevolent God. They also believed that Christ IS THE WAY to the Father, and that those who follow Him will be lead to Eternal Life. This journey requires genuine faith, conversion, and a commitment to living a life which emulates and imitates that of our Savior Christ.

Saint John Chrysostomos, one of the most prominent Holy Fathers of the Church, emphasized that Jesus Christ is the way to salvation, teh ONLY WAY TO GOD THE FATHER. He extensively explored the importance of this very fact in his sacred writings and sermons. This Holy Father stressed that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is not merely a historical figure, but the ESSENTIAL PATH TO REACHING GOD AND EXPERIENCING ETERNAL LIFE. There is NO OTHER WAY TO SALVATION. He also stated that the way to salvation is not easy and demands personal struggle, but that it is also the only way to true life and fulfillment. He freqjently quoted Saint Matthew 7:14: "For narrow is the gate and difficult the way which leads to life," again illustrating the challenging but necessary path to salvation through Our Lord Christ.

"The goodness of God leads you to repentance" [Romans 2:4).  Nothing is hidden from God. He sees everything and knows the truth about each of us.  One of mankind's great self-deceptions is to say, "Who sees us?"  (Isaiah 29:15) and thinks there is no judgment.  An UNREPENTANT OR HARD HEART despises goodness, treasuring up the wrath of God at the Judgment.  A repentant heart, on the other hand, is grateful for God's patience and abides in Christ, practicing a lifetime of repentance, which produces confidence before Him at the Judgment.   The Holy Apostle writes:  "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28).  Jesus says, "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is a hand" [Matthew  4:17).  Our Lord Christ's Divine words, like that of Saint John the Baptist, is "REPENT", because repentance is necessary to enter and continue in His NEW WAY OF LIFE.  REPENTANCE IS MAN'S TURNING FROM  HIMSELF TO GOD.  Repentance (Greek, METANOIA) which always accompnaies belief, IS A TOTAL ABOUT-FACE.  It is a radical change of one's spirit, mind, and heart, a complete reorientation of the whole of one's life and being.  It is the first step on "THE WAY of the Lord" and is followed by the confession of sins, the  decisive act of baptism, and an actual change in one's life, the "fruits worthy of repentance."  [Resources: New Testament]

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in the Divine, Redeeming, and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George