Are only Christians saved?

An interesting comment from commenter Isaiah which I find apt to put it up as a new post for readers to share your thoughts and reflect upon.

From commenter Isaiah:

I hope you don’t mind me butting in on this. I’ve been reading the exchange with some interest. You said that our God is “a God for all believers of all religions”. Does that mean that one does not have to be a Christian and trust ONLY in Christ Jesus to be saved?

If so, may I ask what you think Jesus meant when He proclaimed in John 14:6 (emphasis mine):

“I am THE way, and THE truth, and THE life. NO ONE comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME.”

Ordinary Guy:

Thanks for sharing this often asked question: Do we have to be a Christian before we can be saved?

I find that we need to examine this question on a wider scope: Become a Christian, then you are saved? What about others who are not Christians or perhaps those whom in their entire life have not heard about Jesus? Will they be saved? What is the meaning of “being saved”? Saved from what? Who decides who is saved? I’ll try to put it as simple as I can.

The teachings of the Catholic Church is the universality of God i.e. a God for all peoples regardless of nationality, race, colur or creed. The word “Catholic” deriving from its Greek origin of “katholikos from katholou” means throughout the whole universal. Simply, a God for all.

The God that we believe in is a loving, merciful, friendly and welcoming God. A God who sent his Son Jesus to die on the Cross so as to re-establish a bridge-link for us back to the Father. Who did Jesus die for? Assuming if Jesus died only for those who become Christians, I personally think that Jesus is pretty selfish. What about those who have been living a holy and good life in other beliefs/religion? Should they be granted a place in heaven too? If God is pretty selfish in that sense to save only those who believe in Him, then how can we say that God is a God of love and a God for all when there is existence of selfishness?

What about those who, by nature of their geographical living locality who have not heard of Him or perhaps were born by birth into other beliefs/religion of Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism etc…will God’s kingdom be for these people too?

Catholics believe that Jesus died for our sins, not just those who believe in Him (Christians)…He died for all mankind…you and me and everybody.

On the aspect of “being saved”. What does “being saved” means? Who determines if a person is “saved” or not? As Catholics, the understanding of the word “being saved” refers to a desire to be with God in eternal paradise when we depart from this earthly life. Is this “being saved” a rule imposed by God or is it an invitation? We believe that God invites all of us (regardless of who we are on earth) into His kingdom. For those who have come to know about Jesus and his teachings during our earthly life, we are invited to be his followers BUT being a Christian do not automatically grant you the absolute assurance of eternal life with God. Rather, being a Christian is a privillege that we have come to know Him and a desire to follow in his foot-steps. More importantly to live our lives in the way Jesus taught us, being a good example for others to follow.

“Via, Veritas, Vita” in Latin which when translated to English means “Way, Truth, Life”. Going to God by “going through” Jesus. Surely it’s impossible to “go through” Jesus in any physical way. Just like Nicodemus who asked Jesus how can someone be “born again” in John 3. One would need to understand that the Gospel according to John is highly written in a literal and symbolic manner compared to the other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) which are synoptic in nature.

What was written in John’s Gospel about the “Way, Truth, Life” carries a much wider meaning than just being called a Christian. For those who are privillege to know God and to know Jesus, you are encouraged to live your life in the Way, Truth, Life that Jesus has taught. Not merely just being called a Christian who believes in Jesus) but who may not practice a simple act of kindness when required. Given that Jesus has re-establish the link for us back to the Father, we are invited to walk on that bridge in the Way, Truth, Life during our earthly life.

Who determines if a person is saved (granted eternal life). Well, I guess that each one of us will know the answer for ourselves when we stand before God in our own judgement day regardless of whichever beliefs/religion we have during our earthly life…God decides.

Hope to have provided you an insight of what Catholics believe.