Sermonette: The Lessons of the Letter ‘P’ on the Path to Salvation?

A Sermonette by The Wandering Evangelist for Eternal Affairs Media

The Lessons of the Letter ‘P’ on the Path to Salvation?

About a 10-15 minute read … Audio-version available

Matthew 7:12_~14 (KJV) “¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Salvation comes to those who heed the advice of our opening verse, a stark reminder of the only truly important goal in life. Jesus Christ himself gave us this fair warning, that all are in peril of unseen dire consequence, for Judgment Day comes for all of us. But how to find and keep to the good path, has many answers. Today, I offer an unexpected approach. And the Path to it will determine if we perish to Hell, below, or are granted Eternal Life in Heaven. The gate to Hell is wide, for easy entry, and many are the ways in (forms of temptation). Mark 7:20_~23: “²⁰ And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: ²³ All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Problem is, we are all guilty: Romans 3:23 so states; “²³ For al have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

For the way to salvation is narrow, with but two means (the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and full obedience to Mosaic Law of the Old Testament). The straight gate means narrow and long, where one cannot diverge, they must endure it (Pass God’s Judgment) if to get to the other side. But Mosaic Law is clear, and difficult: Galatians 3:10, “¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”  James 2:10 “¹⁰ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

This leaves us with the Gospel, wherein we are Prejudged (a ‘P’ word) and found innocent by the Blood of Jesus Christ, as seen in Romans 5:8_~9; “⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” And this leads us to other ‘P’ words, including Predestined, which is not a thing relating to our personal destiny as we might presume from its use outside of Christian doctrine (though there is an element of that, in that God has foreseen it, knowing all things past and future). It is a thing born out of the act of Christ’s sacrifice upon the Cross, as seen in John 19:30 “³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” Predestined and Prejudged equate/facilitate one, another, a marvelous mystery.

As mystery, amid Christian denominations, there are different views on the precise meaning of Predestined, as preached. And while one’s precise belief does not impact on their salvation through Christ, this writer keeps coming back to Paul’s explanative reference in 2 Timothy 1:9_~10, speaking of Christ: “⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, ¹⁰ But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” Just look at all the meat in that passage; salvation, evangelism, Predestination, judgment, and the Promise!

That ‘P’ word is what it all about, isn’t it? The Promise of ascension through salvation is our Sure Hope, and our source of true Peace (another ‘P’ word) and joy found therein. All this is tied together in Hebrews 11:1_~40 (ESV), too lengthy to offer here, but by sampling its introduction: “¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

Verse 2 is speaking of the salvation of the Jews by their faith in Mosaic Law, whereof we find the Gospel of Jesus Christ more excellent. More excellent, because God’s judgment under Mosaic Law required Perfection. But as all fall short, God provides us with a way to atone. Our next ‘P’ word best explains, which I introduce with a question, regarding John 19:30, earlier cited. What did Christ mean… just what was finished on the Cross? The answer is atonement by Propitiation, which is the attainment of forgiveness of sins by God, through an atonement method of blood sacrifice. Under Mosaic Law, this required the blood of unblemished animals of great value to the sinner, but in the New Testament, the sinless Christ paid that price for all of us who follow Him, for all sins, for all time. 1 John 2:2 confirms it, directly; “² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” And all we need to do, to take advantage, is to Confess Christ as our Savior, take up his Name, his teachings, and follow him; for he is the way… ’the Path.’ And Christ’s Path, which we also are to follow, leads us to yet another ‘P’ word which was ‘finished’ by Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension.

It is Palliation. This is not a scriptural term, but one more commonly found in medicine, when referring to any treatment which reduces the violence of (a disease) by easing the symptoms, without addressing the cause. In Christian theological dialog, it references what Christ achieved for us in the Gospel, as our Propitiation. He reduced the violence due us (death, both physical and spiritual) as result of our disease, Sin. In this way, he vanquished both death and sin, or more correctly, sin’s consequences. Sin is rebuked, denounced, devolved and diluted in its impact. Palliation is the summation of the Gospels effect in a single but difficult $5 word.

Romans 6: 1_~11 explains what it means to a Christian: “¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: ⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over him. ¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. ¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Here, I pause, for quite often my Sermonettes are carefully crafted not by my own design, but by the Spirit. Today’s is an example, for I knew not the subject of which I should write until praying for guidance before bed. When I woke, the first thought in my head was as if not my own, a series of ‘P’ words, as a part of the path to salvation. I immediately grabbed my chain reference Bible, seeking to find study topics starting with ‘P,’ and the book literally fell open to that exact page! This cinched it as being the Spirit’s advice, at work. I have come to find there is a kind of secret to successful reliant use of Faith in the Spirit in this way. It is also a ‘P’ word: Patience.

So I sit in patience and try to let my mind enter a quiet meditative prayer state, putting all effort to think my way forward by intellect, alone. I focus only on the issue at hand. Or, I might set the matter aside, and go on to other daily tasks as a break, knowing the answer will come. Either way, when the time is right, a thought will enter my head, often quite random and unrelated to intellect’s presumptions, even to the point that I must search scripture for full revelation. And just as I was about to continue, these words came to me. “And it is not just our Patience, but that of God’s.” The Spirit truly is our Teacher and Counselor, in Christ. After all, as we covered three weeks ago, Paul’s entire knowledge of Scripture came to him by the Holy Spirit, alone, for he had not been witness to any of it, and had never heard anyone speak of it… and yet his version completely agreed with those of the Disciples.

The Bible often speaks about the virtue of Patience, but most uses of the word tie that virtue to our Faith and the Gospel. The most direct and explanatory would to me seem to be found in Romans 5:1_~5, “¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not sonly so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worth patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope taketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

This also confirms our use of the phrase, sure hope. And, to me, it reflects spiritual discernment and learning through the Spirit, as exampled. Even as I’m typing verse 4, I realized that I had not myself yet grasped the simplicity of the mechanism, until pausing to compare that to my patience and struggling (‘tribulation’) when at first daring to write Sermonettes, now nearly 50 in total. It was at first frightening, to be honest; one must avoid any mistakes, and remain scripturally sound, when putting things in print about the Gospel, as Teacher. And while my Doctorate gave me a kind of  ‘license,’ my misgivings were gradually replaced with confidence, for my collegiate teachers and peers confirmed their scriptural soundness, and slowly led me to realize who my real Teacher really was, and is. The Degree is a mere piece of paper. Living in and for Christ, as poor a job of it as I dare claim, being led and chastened by the Spirit, is from where my real education has come, and continues, just so. May it be so, with you.

There is yet another way Patience serves us on the Path, in those times when ‘tribulation’ will mean things far worse than difficulties in life. Christians are to be bold, and evangelize to others that they might also hear, and be saved. This can result in being rebuffed, rebuked, and at times, harsher assaults. Even today, missionaries to other lands are killed for daring to preach to those most in need of the Word. If you have never encountered an unkind word, or seen your Sermonettes torn asunder and thrown into the trash, as have I, then you have yet to fulfill your obligation as one called by God to serve in that great commission. Fear rejection not, for it is to your good, as seen in 1 Peter 2:19_~23, regarding Patience; “¹⁹ For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰ For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. ²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”

God’s Patience, is found in His Grace; the forbearance of our sins by a Patient and loving God, through Christ’s Propitiation. 2 Peter 3:9: “⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Longsuffering equates to patience, though distressed (tribulation). In this case, God’s tribulation comes from Man’s prolific sins.

And repentance brings us to the last word we can fit into this space, Penitence; to be sincerely repentant of our sins, seeking forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV); “¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Worldly sorrow is regret over sin for its aftermath in our life, only; “If had not stolen, I would not be facing trial and prison.” Godly sorrow is being humbly Penitent, in prayer.

Join please, in this simple prayer. “God hear us, please. We live our lives as if having no care but for those things our society deems important, the source of all pressures to live accordingly, one fraught with temptations to sin. Help us to remember and follow the greater truth of the Gospel; our only truly important task is to live for you, in Christ, and He in us, and to follow in His path of righteousness to the best of our abilities, to repent of our sins, and spread the Gospel. We ask this simple thing in His name, that we might better fulfill his command, in love.” Amen.

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About Scripture quotes: herein, unless otherwise noted, the King James Version of the Bible is employed (KJV).