Thank you both oh so very much for sharing your insights, dear sisters in Christ!
Dr. Eckleburg: It does seem a valid use of time and thought, however, to determine whether or not our "love of God" lines up with who God really is and is in accord with God's instructions.
Of a truth, a person must know Who God IS. He is not “a” God or “a” Creator or “a” Way or “a” Truth or “a” Life – but The God, The Creator, The Way, The Truth, The Life. His Name is I AM!
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. - Matthew 6:9 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. - Psalms 91:14
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 10:32-33
And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. – Deut 12:3-4
A Christian may not yet comprehend God’s instructions, but if he knows Who He IS and loves Him surpassingly above all else – he’s in the right sheepfold, the Good Shepherd will lead him. Emphasis mine:
Dr. Eckleburg: From a Protestant viewpoint, to say we contribute to our own salvation with our own good works of righteousness literally detracts from the complete love that is due God's unearned mercy He has manifested in us and which alone saves us. I agree and I am confident that my brothers and sisters in Christ who are members of the Catholic Church would also agree – for to say that the Blood of Christ is insufficient in any respect to secure our salvation would be an insult to both the Father and the Son.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.– Colossians 1:15-20
We may disagree about what is happening or what is being accomplished by the liturgy or the theology of it – but we cannot deny that the Eucharist is central to Catholic worship, keeping the Blood of Christ ever front-and-center in the life of a Catholic. In the many times I have attended mass with family, it has become clear to me that the Blood of Christ is “the” vital part of Catholic worship. And, as betty boop’s excerpt explains (thank you, dearest sister in Christ) - of course we cooperate with the indwelling Spirit, we follow Him, we surrender to God’s will. (Romans 8, John 15, et al) Some might call that a contribution. From my perspective, we could do no less for the One we love with all our hearts and minds and souls and strengths and understanding. For that reason I wouldn’t call it a contribution but a sanctification, a “growing up” in Him.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. – Phl 2:12
Truly, there is nothing that man could ever say or do by his own effort to obtain salvation. If there were, then Christ died for nothing.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. – Galatians 2:20-21
Likewise, all of the fruits are His, not ours.
I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. - Matthew 7:17
To God be the glory, not man, never man! (I have some things which require my attention at the moment, but I look forward to reading your replies this evening.)