Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
The Reverend Paul D. Allick, St. George’s Episcopal Church, February 21, 2010

In St. Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome we hear one of the most divisive statements known to humanity in the past two millennia. He writes, “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This theological concept has caused death and destruction throughout history. Nowadays it mostly just causes a lot of heart burn. It is used to condemn and to divide. This idea that salvation only comes through Jesus Christ has caused me much consternation. I believe it for myself but how can I impose that on others.

For instance, my paternal grandfather was a Muslim. He believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He prayed his prayers daily. He followed the religious customs. Is he in the fires of hell?

What about our brothers and sisters all over this community and indeed right in our building who are Jewish? Are they locked out of salvation? What about all the people I love dearly in my life right now who are either agnostic or atheist?

And to bring it even further I have met some Christians who believe that even some of us other Christians are not saved because we have not been “born again.”

I can’t accept any of that because I have known and loved too many people who are of other religions, other denominations and of no faith at all who are good people. I cannot believe in a God who would abandon so many souls to damnation.

Maybe I am just naïve and need to accept this harsh reality. But I don’t think so. What I do know for sure is that in the end its none of my business anyway. What happens between God and other souls is none of my affair. All I can do is offer my story of salvation in Jesus to others and let it be.

We have a prayer in the Prayer Book in the Liturgy on Good Friday wherein we pray for the departed. We pray for those who “have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to God alone.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 280)

I trust that God knows exactly what He is doing with each soul in the universe. It will all work out. But what to do with these statements from our Holy Scriptures? I choose to focus on not simply being “saved” but understanding what I am saved from; what difference it makes that I have come to know God through Christ Jesus.

First, I am saved from ingratitude. I know where my bread gets buttered. Its all from God. Nothing I have physically, emotionally or spiritually belongs to me alone. It is a gift which I have been freely given and freely share. I know that my life has been much like the life of the people Israel. We hear the story again from the Book of Deuteronomy. The people were a wandering people with no direction in their lives. They had no relationship with God, only idols to cling to with a hope in magical solutions to their problems. Then they fell into toil and affliction in Egypt. God freed them by leading them on a vision quest. Forty years in the wilderness to test their spiritual stamina and their trust in God. Then with a terrifying display of power with signs and wonders He brought them into their own.

I understand that story. I’ve been through it a few times. It makes me thankful. It makes me want to give my first fruits, my very best, back to God.

Second, I am saved self-righteousness and the lust for power. The Spirit leads Jesus on His own vision quest. Jesus spends forty days in the wilderness with no food. Then, it isn’t God who shows up but the Accuser, the trickster. Satan appears and plays to Jesus’ full humanity. He tempts at the easiest parts of humanity which pull us away from God. He offers Jesus self-righteousness. If you are really that close to God why are you fasting? Just turn that stone into bread. If you are so righteous you must have that power. Satan doesn’t understand that Jesus did not see equality with God as something to be sought after.

Then Satan offers Him global dominion. He would be king of all the kings. Who wouldn’t want that power. Especially when the God you are giving your entire self-will to has sent you out into the wilderness without food?

Jesus wasn’t interested in self-righteousness. He was seeking to be completely right with God. Jesus wasn’t after human regard and power. He was establishing true power on earth. The power that would transform hearts and lives so that there wouldn’t have to be so much pain and suffering anymore. Jesus’ power rested in a humble and contrite heart not a shameless and prideful spirit. His is not a power over others but a power that brings out the best in us by bringing forth those gifts given to each of us for our mission of reconciliation.

Yes, I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. I confess Him as Lord with my lips and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I will confess that to my last breath. I believe that love is stronger than death; that hope is more powerful than fear; that humility is more effective than narcissism.

This doesn’t make me better than anyone else. It just makes me more happy and peaceful. Salvation is a gift not a weapon.

This Season of Lent is when we remember that. When we get back in touch with deep gratitude. We take a step back and breathe and let God do His will.