The Perilous Hope of a Works-Based Heaven

President Trump recently commented that he was trying to "get to heaven" and that his efforts to end the war in Ukraine would be one of the reasons. While many were quick to point out the flawed theology of his statement, it highlights a deeply concerning and widespread belief, even among many who identify as Christians: the dangerous idea of a works-based salvation.

The shocking reality is that this view is not an outlier. As John Stonestreet of the Colson Center notes in a recent Breakpoint commentary, citing a 2020 American Worldview Inventory, nearly half of all Americans believe that if a person is "generally good" or does enough good things, they can “earn” a place in Heaven. This is a dangerous theological drift, a complete abandonment of the Gospel of grace for a false gospel of human effort. This troubling trend is fully consistent with other beliefs infiltrating the church. According to the annual "State of Theology Study" from Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research, a majority of evangelicals deny the doctrine of original sin, a belief that completely undermines the need for a savior. A staggering number also believe that God accepts the worship of all religions, a direct contradiction of Jesus's own exclusive claim in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

We must remember that the hope of heaven is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has already done. The Bible is clear on this. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

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A Story of Humble Admission

The Hapsburgs, a family that ruled over a large portion of Europe for centuries, had a powerful funeral tradition that beautifully illustrates this very truth. While often cited as an ancient rite, the famous three-knock ceremony, where a master of ceremonies is denied entry to the crypt for the deceased's royal titles and accomplishments, is a more recent addition. It was first publicly performed in its modern form for the funeral of Empress Zita in 1989 and then again for her son, Otto von Habsburg, in 2011.

At the funeral procession, the master of ceremonies would knock three times on the doors of the Capuchin Church, where the Imperial Crypt is located. From within, a Capuchin friar would ask, "Who desires entry?" The master of ceremonies would first read a long list of the deceased's imperial titles and dignities. The friar would reply, "We do not know him." The master would knock again, this time listing the deceased's great political and academic achievements. "We do not know him!" the voice from within would repeat. Finally, after a third knock, the master of ceremonies would state the truth: "A mortal, sinful man." Only then would the doors swing open, allowing the body of the once-great ruler to be laid to rest.

This humble ceremony, though a more modern tradition, serves as a powerful and timeless metaphor for the Christian belief that our earthly titles and accomplishments, no matter how great, are ultimately meaningless before God. Our only hope for entry into His presence is through a humble recognition of our sinful nature and reliance on His mercy. As Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The true hope of heaven is not found in our works but in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is the Good News that Babylon Bee so accurately, and non-satirically, captured in their headline: “God Agrees To Let Trump Into Heaven If He Repents Of His Sin And Trusts In Jesus Christ Alone For Salvation.” This is the only path. The only hope. It is grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

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Sources:

• Stonestreet, John. "President Trump and the Hope of Heaven." Breakpoint, Breakpoint.org.

• Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research. "The State of Theology Study."

• Various historical accounts of the Habsburg funeral rituals, specifically those of Empress Zita (1989) and Otto von Habsburg (2011).

• Various Bible verses from the books of John, Ephesians, and Romans.

• Image created with DallE

Walking in your Calling - Is actually unveiled as you walk with Him

We live in a world overflowing with books, articles, TED Talks, and—yes—even blog posts like this one, all urging us to “find our purpose,” “live our calling,” and “make a dent in the universe.” It’s a message relentlessly echoed by thought leaders, preachers, influencers, and armchair philosophers on social media. While some of their wisdom has merit, the sheer volume often leaves the modern-day pilgrim overwhelmed, confused, and discouraged. I am not discounting either when God also calls certain people to singular purposes/calling miraculously for the saving of many - Joseph, Moses, Paul the list in history is long as well... but for the majority of us its not often easy to find our calling as we go through umpteen transitions in life be it mini, micro or macro level shifts. 

During my quiet time this morning, I found myself drawn to Psalm 81, particularly verse 10:
"I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it."

We all experience our own versions of Egypt—seasons of wilderness, disorientation, or pain. And yet, it’s in these very places that God draws near. He brings us out, fills us, sustains us, and walks with us—if we allow Him to. The key isn't striving for purpose but participating in His work through surrendered partnership.

This reflection led me to consider the culture we’ve created around "calling." We often chase it like a career objective, a singular mission, or some grand impact we’re meant to have. But what if calling isn’t about a job title, a platform, or making a mark that the world recognizes?

What if we’ve missed the point?

Don’t get me wrong—I’ve read the books, followed the steps, and admired the wisdom of those who’ve gone before me. Their guidance has shaped parts of my journey. But tonight, I find myself longing for something deeper: to live and breathe in such a way that God’s nature flows through me—wherever I am, in whatever role or season I find myself.

The Father’s plans aren’t about perfect decisions; they’re about perfecting intimacy. His desire is for a relationship, not performance. As we walk with Him, He slowly forms our convictions and builds our character—sometimes through leaps forward, sometimes through the humbling process of unlearning.

Here’s the quiet revelation I’m sitting with tonight:

Calling unfolds as we walk with God. Not as we strategize, optimize, or overanalyze our way into significance.

Every season, every role, every misstep and relationship—whether “right” or “wrong”—becomes sacred ground where the Spirit teaches us His ways and reveals the image we are being transformed into. I think of Eustace from C.S. Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader—his transformation was slow, painful, but necessary. The scales had to come off before he could become who he truly was.

I’ve wrestled often with the agony of significance, and I admit, it’s mostly self-inflicted—comparison and competition can do that. But here’s the freeing truth: I’m not behind. I’m not late. I haven’t missed my calling.

I am a child of God, right where I need to be.
Partnering with Him.
Becoming the kind of person who reveals His heart.

So maybe the better question isn’t “What is my calling?” but rather:
“Lord, how can I partner with You today?”
“What aspect of your character do you want to form in me now?”

Holy Spirit, help me represent Your heart in this season—faithfully, humbly, and fully.
Let me love Jesus the way the saints and beloved ones before me did.

Shalom and blessings,
Dr. Sam Kurien

Thoughts in this Lent Season - John 13

 In the Gospel of John, chapter 13, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples before celebrating the Passover. He had long desired to share this meal with them one last time before going to the Cross to fulfill the Father’s will—to reconcile us to Himself. It wasn’t just the physical pain that weighed on Him, but the deeper anguish of being separated from the Father for the sake of humanity. He was about to take on betrayal, sin, and shame—not His own, but ours.

As I read this passage again, I felt transported back into that upper room. Jesus, fully aware of what was coming, poured out His love on the disciples one more time as He gently washed their feet. In those verses, I felt the love of the Savior anew—and I was reminded of how deeply I need His love again. I need His washing, His cleansing, and above all, His Holy Spirit to strengthen me—to love Him with all that I am, with power and resilience when I’m faced with the same choice: to choose Him above all the other loves that compete for my heart and so easily lead me into betrayal.

Peter loved Jesus passionately, yet in the moment of testing, he failed. Our Lord knew how fickle our human hearts are without His strength and our partnership with Him in prayer.

Abba Father, come again and renew in us the fresh faith, hope, and above all, the love that the saints before us had—washed and wrapped in the love of the Son of God—so our hearts are no longer orphaned. Train us by Your Holy Spirit to resist the schemes of the evil one. Your promise, Your truth, and Your integrity in what You have spoken are our only weapons of warfare. They lead us into joy—joy that disarms the enemy’s tactics, even our own, throughout this desert journey of life.

Let Your joy permeate us. Let it bubble up in every part of our being so we may stand firm in our faith.

Amen Amen SDG

Theophany - I AM who I AM revelations form Exodus 3:1--15

Recently, a friend asked for a few thoughts on a passage he was preparing for a homily based on the famous theophanic encounter Moses had with

Exodus 3:1-8 and exodus 3:13-15

Thoughts: 

• Moses had to step into his curiosity to see an incredible sight on the mountain of God (Horeb) - the burning bush not being consumed, which we know as the “Burning Bush encounter.” 
• God’s presence is always a Holy encounter—dangerous, but you will live instead of dying because He is Life. 
• The bush was consumed, yet it did not die, as Christ’s presence was in the bush, calling out to Moses to set him on a purpose: to participate in the redemption of His people. 
• When you step into His presence and seek His presence and set your face in seeking Him- You are first invited to the awareness of His Holiness (God asks him to remove his sandals as he stood on Holy ground) and into His intimacy. This positions you in the invitation that launches you into your purpose and calling.
• Stephen’s speech recounts this encounter of Moses seeing the One in the burning bush— in the New Testament, Acts 7:30–34 recounts this event during Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin:

“After forty years had passed, an angel (Jesus) appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.” 

Our life pursuits should center around the passion of seeking Him and His presence, not just for searching for our purpose; it is a byproduct of our Being with Him and being in Him. The Love we Loved and the intimacy our Lord seeks—for He sent His only son on the cross to launch humanity’s greatest rescue and redemption mission. Beloved, He is worthy of our hearts’ attention, tenderness, and the government of our lives. 

Moses encounter of Jesus in the burning bush is also the pivotal revelation of Yahweh’s holy name I AM who I AM. A.W Tozer talks about the “is ”-ness of God. He is the ever-present God. With Him, there is no beginning and no end. He just is. The rabbis feared out of reverence to write his holy name. 

This touches on a rich theological moment—Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3)—a profound theophany and a foundational revelation of God’s name and nature. Here’s a fuller explanation, connecting it to A.W. Tozer’s reflections and Jewish reverence for the divine name:

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The Revelation of “I AM WHO I AM”

In Exodus 3:13–14, Moses asks God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God replies:

“I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

(Exodus 3:14, NIV)

This moment is pivotal in Moses’ life and the biblical narrative because God reveals His eternal, self-existent nature. The Hebrew phrase used is “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh,” which can be translated as:

• “I Am Who I Am”

• “I Will Be Who I Will Be”

• “I Am the One Who Is”

This indicates God’s absolute being—He is not contingent on anything or anyone. He is uncaused, uncreated, eternal, and always fully present.

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A.W. Tozer and the “Is-ness” of God

In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer reflects on God’s self-existence and unchanging nature. He writes:

“God has no origin… Origin is a word that can apply only to things created. God is ‘is.’”

Tozer emphasizes the “is-ness” of God to underline that God is always present, active, and complete. There’s no becoming with God—only being. This contrasts with human existence, which is constantly changing, growing, aging, or fading. God alone simply is, forever, “I AM.”

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The Holy Name and Jewish Reverence

In Jewish tradition, the revealed name—YHWH (Yahweh)—became God’s sacred, ineffable name, known as the Tetragrammaton. Out of reverence and awe, rabbis and scribes never pronounced the name aloud. Instead, when reading the Scriptures, they would say “Adonai” (Lord) or, in some contexts, “HaShem” (The Name).

This reverence extended to how they wrote the name:

• Scribes would go through ritual cleansing before writing YHWH.

• In many texts, they substituted it entirely with “Adonai” to avoid accidental misuse.

• Some modern Jewish traditions continue this by writing “G‑d” instead of “God.”

This fear wasn’t rooted in superstition but in a profound recognition of the sacredness of God’s being and name—an acknowledgment that this is not just a name but the vssence of the one who IS.

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Jesus and the Burning Bush Connection

When Jesus says in John 8:58,

“Before Abraham was, I AM,”

He is not just making a chronological claim but identifying Himself with Yahweh.

The crowd understood the weight of this statement, which is why they picked up stones to kill Him (John 8:59). Jesus was invoking the divine name revealed to Moses, declaring His eternal existence and unity with the Father.

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In Summary

• Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush reveals God’s eternal self-existence.

• The name “I AM WHO I AM” signals a being who is unchanging, ever-present, and complete.

• Tozer emphasizes that God’s nature is pure “is-ness”—He simply is.

• The rabbis’ reverence for God’s name reflects a deep theological awe, protecting the sacred from casual or profane use.

• Jesus later directly connects Himself to this “I AM,” confirming His divine identity and continuity with the God of Moses.

Jesus: The I AM

Scripture: John 8:58

“Before Abraham was, I AM.”

• Jesus doesn’t just echo the name—He claims it.

• This reveals the oneness of Jesus with Yahweh and His eternal nature.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS of Exodus 3:13–14

1. Rest in God’s Constant Presence

“I AM” means God is always present—not past or future only, but right now.

How to apply:

• In anxiety or uncertainty, remind yourself: “God is here.”

• Practice breath prayers: Inhale — “You are.” Exhale — “With me.”

The cause of our breathing is actually “YHWH.” Yahweh is the cause of our breathing and very existence because His spirit gives oxygen to our lungs. 

• We Begin our day with: “God, I know You ARE with me today—present in every moment. Present in my every breath that I can take.”

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2. Trust in God’s Sufficiency

“I AM” implies whatever you need, God is.

How to apply:

• When you feel inadequate, say: “God, You are enough—even when I’m not.”

• Make a list of your current needs or fears, and beside each one, write:

• “God is Provider”

• “God is Peace”

• “God is Wisdom”

• “God is Strength”

Replace my small “I” with the God who says - I AM. So when I feel and tell the voices in my head and heart - I am not enough replace it with I AM THE GOD WHO IS ENOUGH FOR ME, or (when I believe the lie I cannot provide) replace it with - the truth. 

I AM THE GOD WHO IS MY PROVIDER

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3. Respond to God’s Calling

Like Moses, we may feel unqualified. But God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

How to apply:

• Say “yes” to that nudge to serve, lead, speak, or help—even if you’re scared.

• Remember: The call of God comes with the presence of God.

He doesn’t say “Go” without also saying “I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12)

He is so faithful that He is a God who Leo equips you to carry out your calling. When we steep our hearts in this awareness and gratitude, weincreasingly enjoy His presencee. 

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4. Worship with Reverence

God’s name is holy. His presence is sacred.

“Take off your sandals”—remove distractions, come humbly.

How to apply:

• Before you pray or read Scripture, pause. Acknowledge: “This is holy ground.”

• Create moments of silence in your day just to sit with God—not to ask, but to revere, adore. We have an adoration chapel for this very reason. Still, we can create for ourselves spaces in our house, in nature, at our favorite hiking places, or maybe our secret vacation spot..wherever it might be, come in the posture of your love and adoration to be at his feet. We see Mary doing this in the scriptures, and Jesus commends her for having made the better, might I say, the best choice. 

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5. Embrace Your Identity in Light of His

Knowing “I AM” shapes who I am.

Our identity is defined not by our self-awareness (which is good to a certain extent) but by seeking Him, when our identity radically changes or transforms. Psalm 139 King David asks God to gaze into him so he is not just novel.

Gazing and thinking about himself. David shows us he wants God to come to him. I love how one of the new translations (TPT) says it ; 

“God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting way— the path that brings me back to you.”

Psalms 139:23-24 TPT

How to apply:

• Instead of defining yourself by what you’ve done or what you lack, define yourself by who you are:

• “I am loved by I AM.”

• “I am sent by I AM.”

• “I am not alone—I AM is with me.”

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Reflection Prompt or Journal Entry Idea:

• Where in my life do I need to remember that God simply IS—present, enough, and holy?

Notes:

A theophany is a visible or tangible manifestation of God to human beings.

The word comes from the Greek:

• “theos” = God

• “phaino” = to appear or show

So, theophany literally means “God appears.”