Jabcat (is it James?)
Paul was so urgent to share the Promise of the Spirit with people that he became "all things to all people, so that he could save some." Of course he means "I, yet not I" when he talks about saving them.
I do agree with what you say though. Nobody sees the father apart from Christ. If we are to share the teaching that the gateway to life is narrow and the gatway to being lost is wide, then we should do it and accept our beatings for Christ (for our decidedly non-ecumenical behavior). Either that, or rejoice that they have come to Christ, rather than Bhudda et al, so that they can have the oneness in the Spirit that sets them free.
Yes, amen. I rejoice in the following statement you made; "..accept our beatings for Christ (for our decidedly non-ecumenical behavior)"...
If I could quickly summarize my thoughts, it would be a) people still need to get saved, to place their trust in Jesus as their Savior, b) only God decides who He will give that faith to believe (and no one "chooses" God before He chooses them and empowers them individually, specifically to believe), 3) we are called to tell people about Jesus and encourage (not insist/demand/guilt/scare, etc.) them to call on Him, and d) assist them in any way God allows and enables us to do so. Otherwise, as I understand and as you say, they enter in at the broad gate, and many may be saved there only "as by fire".
