Can Even Atheist Be Saved?

I want to stretch the conversation about salvation, being safe with God, just a bit further.  

15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.(Rom. 7)

Have you ever played the game The Pretzel Twist?

It is a common game, that is played, all alone inside ourselves. In the not so silent reservoirs of our minds.  

The rules are strict!  Don’t expose yourself!   Don’t be vulnerable!  Maintain a strong front of innocence and/or strength!  

Jesus talks about The pretzel Twist thought out his ministry. He often refers to the players of the game  as “hypocrites.”  Repeating over and over, in so many words: Those without sin please stand!  Those who have no need of forgiveness please come forward!  Those who have not sinned cast the first stone!

I invite you to think for a moment, in the safety of you own mind, how do you feel most natural, most real?   When do you feel most safe?  

Then continue your private conversation by asking yourself “why?”  Why do I feel safe then?

I ask because, of the one precious thing, I have learned in my faith journey.  Learned in my years of preaching and teaching God’s word. It is stripping clean!  That is, facing my actions and thoughts face forward. That is my safest place!  The safest place to live with myself.  I have come to realize that it is much cleaner, much more gracious, to face the music.  So to speak!   

Right now I am thinking of King David, and the slap in the face he experienced, when confronted by a man called Nathan sent from God ( full story below).

12 For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die.  

David had done a terrible thing.  He had Uriah killed in battle so that he  could have Uriah’s wife.  What David did, “Displeased the LORD,” to put is mildly.  And God sent Nathan to confront David.  David did not make excuses.  He confessed “I have sinned against the LORD.”

What folks don’t seem to remember is that forgiveness brings much more relief and joy to our lives.  Then playing The Pretzel Twist! 

You see, when we are free to be who we are before God; it is easier to live more freely with others.  Because we are grateful to God for his pure understanding.  And because we know — feel — that love we have more respect, more acceptance, more understanding for others. Because God loves and accepts us, we can do the same for others.  Only then can we live together with humbleness in our realization of our own failures and weaknesses.  All standing in equal shoes before God.  Then and only then can we feel the grace of God, providing the joy that passes all understanding. 

The hard lesson for we humans is that it is impossible to be perfect. To be, always right.  Impossible to be exact!

Perfect belongs only to God!

In the writing of all of this a memory popped into my mind.  About the subject of who can be saved.  It was some years ago when the Pope — Pope Frances said:  “Even Atheists can be saved.”  That statement, coming  from “The Pope,” created quite a stir among a very diverse group, including the Atheists!  

After all who says an Atheist can’t change their mind and believe? 

26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. 27 When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.  10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. 11 Thus says the Lord: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. 12 For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die." 15 Then Nathan went to his house. The Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became very ill.(2 Sam. 11:16 - 12:10-15)