"Put in its simplest terms, salvation is feeling safe, living without fear, living with the serenity in confidence that we are the objects of God's unfailing love, and that we will always be safe whatever happens, in life or in death, if we have a complete and childlike trust in God's love and tender mercy.
"This is a great leap of faith, which does not come easy, which deserts us continually, and which we achieve only by the greatest pain and effort — every day a trial, every breath a prayer. Salvation does not mean that we will avoid suffering, shame, humiliation, or defeat. It does mean that we are not alone — God's love, which was poured out for us in Jesus Christ, is always with us, to strengthen and save us in every situation, if we have trust in his love.
"To be a Christian, to follow Jesus Christ, means to be self-giving, pouring out love upon others even when they are unlovely and unlovable. And this is the hardest part of our faith. We were not made to live alone. We were made to live in community. And it is in community that we come in conflict with others. It is easy to respond to those who love and cherish us. It is much harder to see Jesus Christ in those who dislike us, who even hate and despise us, or try to hurt us. It is difficult to be gentle with those who are unkind, who say and do harmful things about us and to us. Yet, the hard truth is that this is the only way. For when we respond with resentment and retaliation, the greatest damage is not what we do to others, but what we do to ourselves — by cutting ourselves off from God's love, by alienating ourselves from a sense of community, and winding up feeling lost and alone.”
