Ths is the great disagrement I have with my Catholic friends. If Christ died for our sins and completely wiped them away, why does even the former Pope think he needed to whip himself in an act of penance?
Isaiah tells us that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”.
St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians tells us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Why the felt need for self-flagilation? Either the work of Christ was complete or we need Christ plus our good works. This suggests the work of Christ is incomplete and that we can, at least in part, earn salvation.
Am I wrong here?
This practice has NOTHING to do with Christ,imo.
"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." - Titus 1:16
That said, nowhere will you find a command from God to beat yourself with a belt like a S&M freak. That's just stupid superstition.
I don't think this is the right way to look at it. A child molester is not without sin. I would argue that no one is without sin.
Christ died for us and allows us to be saved by grace. As sinners, we do not deserve grace and we cannot earn salvation. But salvation may be given to us even though we do not deserve it.
Now, recognition of sin and repentence for sin is something that all Christians should make part of their relationship with God. I personally do not whip myself, but I think that this is what the Holy Father was intending.
no
That says it all. We CAN NOT do anything to or for ourselves to be saved. NOTHING, or else GOD is a liar, which HE is not.
You are not wrong.