Salvation and Rejection
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Luke 13:22-30
Who are those who say to Christ, "We have eaten and drunk in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets?" Such an assertion would suit the Israelites, to whom Christ also said, "you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves cast out." But how were they eating and drinking before God? By performing the service enacted in the law: for when offering unto God sacrifices by the shedding of blood, they ate and made merry. And they heard also in their synagogues the writings of Moses, interpreting God's messages: for constantly Jesus prefaced His words with, "Thus says the Lord." But the worship by the shedding of blood is not sufficient for salvation, nor does a man wash away his stains by having heard of the divine laws, if he does nothing of what has been commanded. As long as they refused to accept the faith nor follow the evangelical commands, how could they enter the kingdom of God? It is impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins.
Besides the Israelites, there are many who have believed in Christ, and celebrate the holy feasts in His honour; and frequenting the churches they also hear the doctrines of the Gospel: but practice none of the truths of Scripture. And it is a shame that the practice of virtue is brought with them even to this extent, while of spiritual fruitfulness their heart is quite bare. These too shall weep bitterly, and gnash their teeth; for the Lord shall deny them also. For He has said, that "not every one that says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father Who is in heaven." (Mt. 7:21)
參考 References:
Sermon 99, Commentary on Luke (St. Cyril of Alexandria)
“Doctor’s Diary” Ep044