Quintessence of Religious Doctrines - Malankarasyriac Voice

72144Quintessence of Religious DoctrinesTheme No: 30On Salvation and Punishment1. The level of faith and justice among men are not alike; so is thecase of sin too. Faith, justice and sin have different levels orgrades.Ref: (a) Rom. 12:6. So we are to use our different gifts inaccordance with the grace that God has given us. Ifour gift is to speak God’s message, we should do itaccording to the faith that we have. (G.N.B.)(b) Mt. 8:10. When Jesus heard this, he was surprisedand said to the people following him, “I tell you Ihave never found anyone in Israel with faith likethis.” (G.N.B.)(c) Mt. 14:31 At once Jesus reached out and grabbedhold of him and said, “How little faith you have!Why did you doubt?” (G.N.B.)(d) Mt. 4:22. And at once they left the boat and theirfather and went with him. (G.N.B.)(e) Jn. 19:11. Jesus answered, “You have authority overme only because it was given to you by God. So theman who handed me to you, is guilty of a worsesin.” (G.N.B.)CommentIt is obvious that men vary in their physical cum mentalfaculties and tendencies. Likewise there are differences inthe levels of conception as regards love, justice and sin.This variation comes out of the immeasurable wisdom in thecreative plan of God. Had it not been so, the world and itsworking would have been monotonous on account of dulluniformity. After all, variety, so goes the adage, is the spiceof life.2. Punishment and salvation are meted out at the judgement daynot in a uniform measure; they are given more or less as per theproportion of the intensity of their faith and quality of actions.Ref: (a) Mt. 7:2. For God will Judge you in the same way asyou Judge others, and he will apply to you the samerules you apply to others.(G.N.B.)(b) Lk. 12:14. Jesus answered him, “My friend, who gaveme the right to Judge, or to divide the propertybetween you two?” (G.N.B.)(c) Lk. 12:58. If some one brings a law suit and takesyou to court, do your best, to settle the dispute withhim before you get to court. If you don’t he will dragyou before the judge who will hand you over to thepolice and you will be put in jail. (G.N.B.)(d) 1Cor. 5:4... I have in the name of our Lord Jesusalready passed judgement on the man, who has donethis terrible thing. (G.N.B.)(e) Jn. 4:2. But Jesus’ disciples were really the onesdoing the baptising and not Jesus himself. (L.B.)CommentOn account of the variations in humans, God would meteout judgement not in a uniform pattern or paradigm. But thejudgement is pronounced, on the other hand, according tothe standards which human beings prescribe while dealingwith the fellow citizens. Lord Jesus very rightly observedthat a man would be judged as he judges others. It impliesthat, each man or woman gets from God what he or shedeserves.3. And there will be either eternal damnation or eternal salvation.Ref: (a) Mt. 25:46. These, then, will be sent off to eternalpunishment but the righteous will go to eternal life.(G.N.B.)(b) Jn. 3:16. For God loved the world so much that hegave his only Son so that everyone who believes inhim may have eternal life. (G.N.B.)(c) Jn. 3:36. Whoever believes in the Son has eternallife; whoever disobeys the Son, will not have life,but will remain under God’s punishment. (G.N.B.)