What to do so as not to go to Purgatory?
We have to be converted, to receive Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. We have to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the Holy Spirit. But this is still not enough for escaping Purgatory. So what shall we do? The Word of God says: “He – Jesus – will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Mt 3:11) So this is a very important thing – baptism with fire. Jesus says: “I came to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Lk 12:49) Where shall this fire be kindled? In us. It shall purify us. It is a fire of zeal, of pure love for Jesus. A fire that shall burn all manifestations of our pride, self-love, envy, self-pity, criticism, rebellion, impurity, various dependences – on people, things or plans. This all must be burnt by this fire. Jesus will then truly be our Lord. Otherwise it is a mere phrase. We need this fire. This fire is also connected with martyrdom. “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you shall be My witnesses (martyres).” (Acts 1:8) A witness and a martyr are one and the same. We need the Holy Spirit therefore; without Him it is not possible. The fruit of the baptism with fire is a martyr’s death. However, we should die time and again, as the Apostle Paul says: “…always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus … death is working in us, but life in you.” (2Cor 4:10.12) How to put it into practice? For example, you have problems, crosses, depressions. What should you do? Come out of it! Ask yourself: “Where is Jesus and where am I?” “I am absorbed in this problem.” “Come out! Come out of the house of slavery!” Stand in the light: “Lord, please, give me the strength, give me the light. What do You want me to do?” As the Apostle Paul said when he was converted at Damascus: “What shall I do, Lord?” Our life must be a return to Jesus time and again. Not just that we have been converted from a great sin which enslaved us for years. We should be converted even in little things, do them with great love, live by faith. In this way we enter into the death of Christ. This fire should burn in our heart. We are called to be a living and holy sacrifice. This is our spiritual worship. (see Rom 12:1) What does it mean? It does not mean physical torture but it means to give God all we cling to in our heart or mind. This is what we are to throw into this fire, so that Jesus may burn everything which is not His. Just as fire separates gold from the slag, so also spiritual fire should purify us. Then this mind will be in us which was also in Christ, and it will be true about us: “Christ lives in me.”
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