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Interesting discussion by all, excepting the occasional outbreak of anti-Roman Catholic bigotry. [Am not a Roman Catholic, but a traditional, conservative Christian, not of the evangelical or pre-millenial dispensationalist persuasion.]

Appreciate particularly the backup and Scripture references from stonehouse01. The thief on the cross and the workers in the vineyard can, in my view, be considered penitent. And perhaps there is forgiveness after this life (only one way any of us will ever know).

And yes, we are saved by Christ's sacrifice and our belief in a Triune God. But after our confession and acceptance, are we not called to walk in a better way, even though we never are able to do so very well? I worry these days about the smug self-righteousness of “feel good” Christianity: I'm saved by the Blood, and now I can continue living my consequence-free life, with no atonement for my sins. My get-out-of-jail-free card allows me to do this. Can we afterward commit acts so heinous (e.g., genocide) that we lose our salvation?

A question for the next round.

I'm saved by the Blood, and now I can continue living my consequence-free life, with no atonement for my sins. My get-out-of-jail-free card allows me to do this. Can we afterward commit acts so heinous (e.g., genocide) that we lose our salvation?

God knew who we were and what we would become when he called us to be His children. We either are or are not a child of God. I may have failed at times, but I always tried to make my physical father proud of me. I also try to make my spiritual Father proud of me. Like my physical father's love, God's greater love is able to forgive my shortcomings. I doubt that those who would later commit genocide were ever called. However, remember that Paul, who was headed in that direction, was called.

Interesting discussion by all, excepting the occasional outbreak of anti-Roman Catholic bigotry.

Although I do not think that you can find an anti-Catholic statement by me on this discussion, or anywhere else for that matter, I would like to state my opinion that disagreeing with Catholic doctrine, even vehemently, is not "anti-Catholic" bigotry.

Should have read the rest of your post, although this has nothing to do with my previous post.

I worry these days about the smug self-righteousness of “feel good” Christianity: I'm saved by the Blood, and now I can continue living my consequence-free life, with no atonement for my sins. My get-out-of-jail-free card allows me to do this. Can we afterward commit acts so heinous (e.g., genocide) that we lose our salvation?

I worry about "feel-good" Christianity too. Of course we have to strive to follow Christ's example. We may fail due to weakness, or the Devil may tempt us. Happens to me often. But we try to do better because we love Christ. We don't just get a get out of Hell free card, but we don't achieve a perfectly sinless life, either. Not in this world.

Concerning your last sentence, what are your thoughts on Oliver Cromwell?