“SEE YOU ON JUDGMENT DAY!”

“The Last Judgment” Altar Triptych by Fra Angelico, AD 1435-1440

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

INTRODUCTION 

Today, there was a very thought-provoking exchange over on our Ancient Church YouTube Channel, @MissionaryDiocese. In it, one can clearly see how different theological systems shape not only doctrine but also spirituality, attitudes toward Scripture, personal responsibility, and the balance between humility and hubris. 

While such comments are not representative of all Protestants, there is a certain type of person who believes that the memorization of a handful of Bible verses - divorced from context, history, or the principles of interpretation - combined with self-assured declarations and attacks on others they deem Catholic (which, in their mind, is synonymous with Apostate or Heretical), guarantees both their own eternal salvation and the damnation of all who disagree with them. This outlook may serve as a psychological refuge from the trials, uncertainties, and sufferings of life, and as such, it must be acknowledged as a coping mechanism. However, it bears no resemblance to historical Christianity, nor is it a theologically or philosophically defensible position. 

Such a faith is brittle, incapable of withstanding the complexities and tragedies of this fallen world. It does not invite questioning or growth, nor can it endure the weight of suffering, injustice, and loss. What at first appears as the triumph of certainty eventually crumbles into despair when one inevitably comes face to face with the inescapable truth of human frailty - that we are weak, ignorant, and utterly powerless before God. It is at this point, when all self-righteousness is stripped away and the soul stands naked in its insufficiency, that the only way forward is the ancient cry of true repentance: 

Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! (Luke 18:13) 

This is the moment of true conversion, the moment when one ceases to treat salvation as a legal contract with God and instead, like the Publican, casts oneself entirely upon His mercy. St. John Chrysostom reminds us, “The doors of repentance are always open; let us not despair, but run to Him who alone is mighty to save.”

Christianity is not a fortress built on self-assuredness, nor is it a weapon wielded against others. It is a journey of humility, a life of continual repentance, a slow and painful unlearning of pride. As St. Isaac the Assyrian writes, “This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits.” The truly faithful do not place their confidence in their own righteousness, but in Christ alone, who lifts up the humble and gives grace to the repentant (James 4:6). 

Here is the exchange…

COMMENT

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved! And if you're physically able and willing, turn from your wicked ways, be baptized in the name of the Father the son and the holy Spirit!!!

RESPONSE

Your comment is not exactly what the Early Church believed, although I appreciate your sentiment and the Scripture quoted. We see that even the demons believe and tremble. Belief alone is not enough according to Christ Himself! Baptism is also not an option, being a command of Christ. Good works are not optional, either. 

1. Belief Is Not Equivalent to Salvation - 

James 2:19 - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Matthew 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Luke 4:33-34 - Demons recognize and confess Christ: “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God."

Acts 16:17 - A possessed girl correctly identifies Paul’s mission but remains under demonic influence: "These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation."

Mark 1:23-24 - A demon acknowledges Jesus as the "Holy One of God." 

2. Christ Commands Baptism - 

Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Baptism is Necessary for Salvation - 

John 3:5 - Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:38 - Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Baptism is the Apostolic Practice - 

Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? *Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 6:3-4 - Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Baptism is a Command, Not an Option - 

1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God).

3. Life Transformation and Good Works Prove the Presence of the Holy Spirit 

James 2:17 – Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

James 2:26 – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

Matthew 7:16 – Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 

2 Corinthians 5:17 – If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

The Holy Spirit Produces Fruit in Believers - 

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

James 2:18 – Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 

The Spirit Empowers Holiness and Righteousness - 

Romans 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. 

Ezekiel 36:26-27 – A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. 

Good Works Are the Evidence of Salvation - 

Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

John 15:5 – I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

1 John 3:9-10 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.

COMMENT

I would like to remind you that the thief on the cross neither had time to be baptized do good works or anything but repent and Believe!!!!!

RESPONSE 

Salvation is up to Christ, but if you disobey Him because you think you've found an excuse, a legal loophole through which you have no obligation and God is duty-bound to save you, against His explicit command as Lord and Savior, King and Creator, you neither believe in Him, nor do you follow Him!

COMMENT 

Catch me on Judgement Day and we'll see what happens!!!!!!!

RESPONSE 

May the Lord have mercy! 

SUMMARY 

In the end, what this exchange reveals is not merely a difference in interpretation but a fundamental divide in how one understands the nature of faith, salvation, and obedience to Christ. The true Christian life is not about finding loopholes in God's commands or reducing salvation to a single moment of mental assent, which demons constantly know but cannot practice. It is a lifelong journey of repentance, humility, and transformation through the grace of God, being transformed into the likeness of Christ. 

As the Scriptures and the Fathers consistently teach, faith without works is dead, baptism is a command of Christ, and salvation is not a mere transaction but a relationship of love and obedience that must be followed through in everyday life. The thief on the cross was saved because he truly repented in his final moments - but for those who have been given the time and opportunity to follow Christ’s commandments, there is no excuse for willful disobedience and trying to twist His words so that He is NOT our Lord. Such an approach is indefensible. 

May we all be found faithful on the Last Day, not relying on our own understanding or presumption, but humbly submitting ourselves to the mercy of God. As St. Paul exhorts us, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). May the Lord grant us grace to seek Him in sincerity, to walk in His ways, and to trust not in ourselves, but in the One who alone is mighty to save.

COLLECT 

Almighty and most merciful God, who dost call all men to repentance and newness of life in Thy Son, Jesus Christ: Grant us grace to forsake all self-righteousness and presumption, that we may humbly submit to Thy holy will, walk in obedience to Thy commandments, and bear fruit meet for repentance. Deliver us, we beseech Thee, from the pride that trusts in knowledge without love, and from the delusion that would claim Thy mercy while despising Thy truth. That, being baptized into His death and raised in the power of His resurrection, we may ever abide in Him, and He in us, to the glory of Thy Name; through the same Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.