It Is One Step at a Time
People are led to believe that from the moment they have encountered God [1] they are supposed to automatically become saints and go through life without ever committing a sin again. Nonsense and theologically incorrect! That is one of the many weapons evil uses to discourage us from a relationship with God. We practically give up even before giving it a fair try.Unfortunately, most Christian churches have fallen into this trap which has, in essence, rendered their Evangelization effort null and void; a reality which the condition of the 21st Century world attest to.
Open all the windows, let the sunshine in because... here are some good news:
God does not judge man based on his level of sanctity...
...but on how hard that individual has truly tried to sanctify himself.
A Graphic Example
Think about this: A father has two sons. One was genetically gifted with a near perfect physique which he kept in shape by exercising at a gymnasium only once a week for one hour.
The other son was thin and quite underdeveloped. This second son acknowledged that, physically speaking, he was not much of a male specimen and decided to improve his physical appearance no matter how difficult a task that could be.
With the loving encouragement and support of his father, the second son enrolled in a gymnasium and started a physical fitness program which called for eighteen hour per week work outs and a special diet which did not include the "junk food" so appealing to the young generation.
Weeks turned into months, months into years and, after a few setbacks -"falls"- but with his father encouragement, the second son developed a physique which would make Michelangelo’s David look imperfect.
Which of the two sons would have the greatest admiration from his family and friends? Which of the two sons would you employ if you needed a reliable and persistent employee? The second son, of course!
Theology Behind ThisThink of our soul as our "spiritual body". If we are persistent in "exercising" our souls in accordance with the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, eventually it will attain the level of perfection which God intended it to reach. Certainly, on the way there will be falls, temptations and discouragement but Jesus will always be there with you, walking step by step with you, your own personal "trainer", cheering you on and giving you the strength needed to achieve your goal.
You think of this as a fantastic made up story? Someone may even dare to say: "Without Biblical foundation!"
Nonsense! If you look in the famous Prodigal [Lost?] Son Parable that may be found in St. Luke, Chapter 15 verses 11 through 32 of the Holy Bible, you will be amazed. This parable is among the most misunderstood, and it probably contains the greatest consolation for mankind as we journey through this veritable valley of tears which we call "Life".
In verses 17-19 the lost son come to his senses: he has done wrong. He is determined to go back to his father, hat in hand, so to speak, and serve him, not as a son, but as one of his father's laborers. In verses 20 through 24 we read:
"So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was lost, and has been found."Here is the magnificent key: "While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son..."The father did not just sit around the house until his son made the journey back home by himself, nor did he ignore his son's fall. What the father did was "...ran to his son..." and, obviously, walked back home with him, step by step. Home, what home? The Father's home: Heaven, Paradise.
Courage my dear ones! Make amends with our Father, we all make mistakes - we are all sinners. Try to live right. Try to reach Heaven on earth, which is a Peace that only God can give, and then supernatural Heaven after you finish your physical life on earth. He will walk with you, step by step, as long as it takes, and will see you home! [2]
<>I promise you, it is true!
Related DocumentsDivine Mercy - God's Greatest Attribute
Spiritual Dysfunction - Their Identification, Treatment and Cure
Why Do Some of God's Chosen Ones Must Suffer? - Redemptive Suffering
