- Aug 4, 2013
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Okay, I'm not trying to start a firestorm here, although I think it is a possibility. In another thread the discussion went to the fact that Orthodoxy is the Church and other religious institutions are not. So here's my fireworks question for the day:
Suppose that eternal life is open to those outside the Church by the sheer grace and mercy of God. As you see it, what advantage/benefits do we as Orthodox (or should I say obedient Orthodox?) derive from our membership in the Church?
Assuming that those non-Orthodox who do receive eternal life from God's mercy (and His inscrutable decision to save them outside the Church), the one thing that seems a possibility to me is the rewards spoken of by Christ. For instance, He spoke of the Pharisees and said "they have their reward." (Matthew 6:5) In other words, nothing waiting for them on the other side. Jesus speaks of receiving a righteous man's reward (Matthew 10:41) He speaks of "not losing their reward" (Matthew 10:42).
Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
This sounds like there are different levels of reward in the life to come. Surely those who have labored on Mount Athos shall have fine rewards awaiting them, whereas the man who never fasted, prayed little, and often skipped church should not expect a great homecoming!
Well, what do you think?
Suppose that eternal life is open to those outside the Church by the sheer grace and mercy of God. As you see it, what advantage/benefits do we as Orthodox (or should I say obedient Orthodox?) derive from our membership in the Church?
Assuming that those non-Orthodox who do receive eternal life from God's mercy (and His inscrutable decision to save them outside the Church), the one thing that seems a possibility to me is the rewards spoken of by Christ. For instance, He spoke of the Pharisees and said "they have their reward." (Matthew 6:5) In other words, nothing waiting for them on the other side. Jesus speaks of receiving a righteous man's reward (Matthew 10:41) He speaks of "not losing their reward" (Matthew 10:42).
Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
This sounds like there are different levels of reward in the life to come. Surely those who have labored on Mount Athos shall have fine rewards awaiting them, whereas the man who never fasted, prayed little, and often skipped church should not expect a great homecoming!
Well, what do you think?