I can see by your usage of all caps
how important this issue is to you,
we may actually be on the same page here.
Your sentiments are all well and good but
tell me one thing
does saying with your mouth, believing or calling...
any of that
give one license to break
any of His commandments,
for instance: committing murder, adultery etc
and without begging for forgiveness with
a sincere and contrite heart and
making reparations, still
warrant one an eternal reward in heaven?
7
Actually the caps are how the OT is presented when quoted in the OT in the NASB.
*begging* for forgiveness?
No, God simply says, confess and you will be forgiven.
All the rest of the nonsense you added are works, which will not save you.
Catholics reveal what is in their hearts and minds when the first thing they think of when they hear that salvation is free and secure is that it means it’s a license to sin.
Not all people are like Catholics, who need outside constraints to force compliant obedience to God.
Those who are born of the Spirit through faith WANT to please God. They don’t need to be compelled to obey.
What worthless "reparation" could you possible offer that would somehow remotely come close to what Christ did for us on the Cross?
Paul considered anything he might have to offer to be filthy rags.
Perhaps you bring a little more to the table?
Roman Catholics continue to think we only have to keep the 10 Commandments.
Keep in mind the extent of how sin impacts our relationship with God.
Paul made it clear in Romans 3:23 that all of us have sinned....and that includes Mary as he didn't carve out an exception for her nor does any Scripture.
Writing in Ephesians 2 and other places he noted we were dead in our sins and trespasses. The Greek definition indicates there are some sins we commit we're not even aware of.
I know Roman Catholicism has tried to define "mortal sins" and certain acts that constitute these. These are the "biggie" sins and have to be forgiven by a priest....while somehow, the little "venial" sins can be forgiven by an appeal to God.
Do you see the problem here? A fallible man can give forgiveness for the "biggie" sins, but God can only forgive the "little" sins.
All of this ignores that all sin results in death apart from Christ (Romans 6:38).
Roman Catholics continue to labor under the belief that non-Roman Catholics are running around murdering people, committing adultery, and just general mayhem in general. It sounds like the Purge.
Keep in mind Jesus equated our thought life with our physical life. I think that's the area Roman Catholics leave out.
It's easy not to actually murder someone or commit adultery or envy, but mentally, that's a different ballgame as no one can read minds...except God can.
And this is where I think the Roman Catholic errs along with a lot of others.
It's easy to feel good about oneself and their relationship with God if you say, well, I haven't killed anyone or had an affair, etc.
But, have you done so in your mind? Remember, Jesus equated our thought life to be equal to our physical life in terms of sin.
When you think about it, it's pretty difficult to go for a day without committing some type of sin. A person cuts you off in traffic and you wish them ill in a bit of frustration.
You see someone you really don't like and you harbor ill will toward them. You see a very attractive woman (I'm taking it you're a guy) and you have a brief thought of, "wow".
Now, in none of these examples do you actually hurt anyone or have an affair, but, from God's perspective and using His standard....you're guilty.
And apart from the forgiveness offered by Christ, you're consigned to Hell.
That's how impossible it is to "be good enough for Heaven" from His perspective.