He Who Has Not Sinned

Years ago a non Christian friend was told by her Christian friend that if she did not believe in Christ, she would be in hell after death. She felt extremely offended by her friend's words.

I have heard this method of evangelism in various forms, including one in the simplest form which says believe in Christ and you shall have salvation (Therefore, no salvation if you don't believe).

I had the opportunity to discuss this at RCIA last night. So I asked Fr George two questions:

1. Would someone who believes in Christ as the saviour but at the back does not practice according to Christ's teaching gain ultimate salvation?

2. Would someone who happens to practice according to Christ's teaching, but does not know or believe in Christ gain ultimate salvation?

Fr George was very forthright and firm in his answers. He said, according to the church (Catholic Church, or the Vatican) a person who believes in Christ but does not act according to Christ's teachings will not gain salvation. A person who practices according to Christ's teachings but does not know or believe in Christ the person will still be offered salvation by God in the end.

I like the answers by Fr George. It really confirms to me what would have been common sense really.

During the time of Jesus, he was already preaching that no one should be judging others' past or future. When Jesus prevented the stoning of Mary Magdalene, he had this to say, "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone." It is as clear as daylight that none of us human weaklings can claim any moral authority to say to anyone else that they will go to hell.

Entry to heaven or hell is the exclusive decision of God, so let's leave it to Him to decide where I should go.

Let's look at it another way. The most powerful evangelist convinces non believers by the way he leads his life. After all, if you do not become a better person as a result of your religion, how could you claim that your belief is the only truth? No evangelist could be more powerful than Jesus himself. If Jesus has not converted the whole world yet, by his words and his deeds, what makes a mortal evangelist think he could so easily save the world with his simple words of "go to hell if you don't believe in Christ"?

Most non believers would be quite happy with a reply of "so I go to hell, it is none of your business"

If he has not sinned, he can cast the first stone.