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What does the New Church teach about salvation?

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The Lord by His life on earth made the way clear so that we may do the work, with Him, of changing our character from one that is selfish, self centered, inconsiderate and fearful (living in a hellish way) to one that is kind, giving, generous and confident in the Lord (living in a heavenly way). This is a process and it takes time.

As we make choices to turn away from selfish and merely worldly gratification and in turn make choices that are based on the truth and inspired by generosity and kindness, we develop a desire or will for what is good. It is that will or dominant love within us that determines our place after the death of this body.

If we primarily love what is kind, good, and true, we take ourselves to heaven where we can continue to live this way with others of a like mind and heart. If we primarily love what is selfish, hateful and deceitful, we take ourselves to hell where we can continue to live this way with others of like mind and heart. We therefore judge ourselves—or choose our own eternity.

This truth leads to another truth of this New Christianity–the teaching that all people of all faiths will go to heaven if they believe in one God and live in charity and kindness according to the principles of their religious persuasion. It is what is in your heart, not what is in your mind only, or the words on your tongue, or the membership card in your wallet that determines your eternal condition. When people arrive in the spiritual world after the death of the physical body they are not asked “What is your religion?” but rather, “What is your life?”

By David Roth

Based on the Holy Bible, The New Church gains further inspiration and understanding through the teachings of 18th century scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. In his 35 volumes of theology, Swedenborg helps set forth the Lord's plan for a rebirth of Christianity, a clear vision of God in His own Word, and what that means in our lives.

“People know that there is such a thing as love, but not what love is. They are completely unaware that love is one’s very life. It is not only the common life of the whole body and all of one’s thoughts, but is also in all the details of one’s life.”
Divine Love and Wisdom 1

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Thumbnail An Introduction to the New Church (Flash) Explore the beautiful foundational teachings of the New Church about a loving God, marriage in Heaven, the Second Coming, and more.