Re: [Q] Bahai way of Salvation?
Marc Sacco (e9002693@antares.linf.unb.br)
Thu, Jan 26 1995 02:06:19 GMT
On Jan. 21, Bill wrote:
> If so, how much deviation
>from perfection (no disobedience) is permitted before
>salvation is either not obtained or lost?
The easiest answer is: God is the only All-Just One, so
ask Him?!
Of course, this is impossible, although one may in a
sense consult one's concience of voluntary deeds and
faith and ask if (so far) it is enough, and God is,
in a certain manner of speaking, "within" you to answer
you, and certainly no one better than yourself can
judge your deviation based on your conscious spirit and
acts, in relation to some standard (for Baha'is, the
Holy Scriptures). It is interesting, however, that in
both Christ forgiveness of the thief being crucified,
and Baha'u'llah stating that if, in the hour of death,
a person repents and comes to faith, he will be accepted
in "heaven", there is an intangible element to
"salvation" that is, IMHO, a characteristic of this
world where the 3 dimensions and time exist: you are
never "saved" enough until you leave the limitations of
this world (in other words, die), since this world is
a test, of a ball-game, and, as Yogi Beara would say, it
"it ain't over 'til its over" (in other words, you may
have many points accumulated, but in this world you may
lose all you've gained). In fact, Baha'u'llah states
that one must recongnize the Manifestation of the Age
or else he won't be accepted though he be the maker of
every good deed. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas he says that a
mans dual obligation is Recognition and Obedience, one
isn't acceptable without the other. Just some thoughts
from a humble and learning "sinner" whose salvation is
practicing (to the extent possible) what he preaches.
Most sincerely,
Marc