Best way to explain Theosis/Sanctification?

[Not David]

I have a friend who has questions about sanctification as salvation.
For example, she says if one is salvation is a process then how baptism can save if you are just starting the process? And if you are saved at baptism then how is theosis related to salvation if you just started the process?

She is Evangelical so she believes in the imputation of righteousness and OSAS

 

[Phronema]

I think it's important to realize the idea of being "saved", as a one-time event is not known in the Orthodox Church. Our baptism, and chrismation is a putting on of Christ. It's our first step into the Holy Mysteries of the Church, and begins our journey of theosis. So we are in the process of "being saved" throughout the entirety of our lives from the moment we are baptized, and chrismated until the very end.

 

[returntosender]

Why are you not David?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I have a friend who has questions about sanctification as salvation.
For example, she says if one is salvation is a process then how baptism can save if you are just starting the process? And if you are saved at baptism then how is theosis related to salvation if you just started the process?

She is Evangelical so she believes in the imputation of righteousness and OSAS

it's like putting a metal bar into fire. unless you initially put it in (baptism) it won't attain the properties of the fire. but once you do and it stays in the fire, it becomes like the fire without actually becoming fire (theosis).

 

[prodromos]

it's like putting a metal bar into iron

I think you meant to say "fire" and not "iron", Father

 

[Not David]

it's like putting a metal bar into iron. unless you initially put it in (baptism) it won't attain the properties of the fire. but once you do and it stays in the fire, it becomes like the fire without actually becoming fire (theosis).

I guess, but she was trying to understand the idea about theosis with getting to heaven.

 

[Not David]

Why are you not David?

I'm confused

 

[prodromos]

I'm confused

That explains everything

 

[returntosender]

I'm confused

I guess I can't ask you, who are you then. Lol

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think you meant to say "fire" and not "iron", Father

yep, haha. thanks.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I guess, but she was trying to understand the idea about theosis with getting to heaven.

heaven is more a condition of the soul than a place. the more like God one is, the more you will experience Him as heaven.

 

[Hekler]

Heaven is physical place where the joy will never stop.

 

[Not David]

heaven is more a condition of the soul than a place. the more like God one is, the more you will experience Him as heaven.

Ok, that's where her question comes from because if someone is just starting the process, then that person is not ready.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Ok, that's where her question comes from because if someone is just starting the process, then that person is not ready.

ready for what?

 

[Not David]

ready for what?

To be in the presence of God.

 

[ArmyMatt]

To be in the presence of God.

are we ever really ready for that, or does God call us and make us ready?

 

[Not David]

are we ever really ready for that, or does God call us and make us ready?

How does God makes us ready?

 

[ArmyMatt]

How does God makes us ready?

only He knows that answer