Ascending the Heights

Holding All Things with Open Hands Step 2 1. What shall one do to inherit eternal life? 1. Let us not be confused to think that there is a magic button to push to inherit eternal life. It is not attained by a single action but by dedicating ones whole person to God. 2. What is your idea of Salvation? a. Do you really believe in Salvation? This is not a rhetorical question. b. Was Jesus a nice guy, a prophet or was He the Son of God? c. When we say I BELIEVE, do we truly believe in that which we declare. 1. Read the Creed, study it, do not allow yourselves to recite it automatically, but state it, pronounce it and understand it. 3. How do we deal with Detachment of Worldly Goods? Step 2 a. For the Monastic there is a difficulty in leaving the World behind, this includes family, comfort and monetary goods. For those of us in the world, it can be even harder to leave it behind because of an inherent need have some monetary goods to live. b. Are you chained to our possessions? Do you define yourselves by your possessions; Nike, Jaguar, Fendi, etc. etc. c. Many of us allow material goods to interfere with our journey towards God by transferring our need for HIM (God) to the need of our ego. Take a closer look at how you speak, ie. I need, I want, I have, this is one case where the Is do not have it. 4. There are Three areas in which we must practice the virtue of detachment a. From worldly concerns: (Money, Fortune, Fame) 1. In the Orthodox Funeral service we say which indeed is he that is king? Or which is soldier? Which is the wealthy, which the needy When all is said and done money and material goods mean nothing. 2. Focus on what is important to your eternal soul Place the material goods of this world in perspective. For what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? b. From Selfishness: Being the center of attention, placing yourself first. 1. Treat insults and praise equally, not allowing them to lift you up or tear you down. Look towards heaven first, ego and the self interfere with ones goal to be with God. Free yourself from the opinions of others. This will free you from grief. c. From the Vanity that follows obedience. False Piety, the snare that snagged the Pharisees. 1. Look only at yourself and to those things that affect you. Be cautious that you do not fall into the sin of the Pharisee by trying to remove the splinter from ones eye while you have a log in your own. Be generous to others allowing them to work on their problems while you take care of those that you own. Seek first the Kingdom of God