What of the mafia members who kept the Sabbath, gave to charities and believed in God while also knowingly and wantingly committing mortal sins (Murder, adultery, etc.)? Some of these men confessed they believed in Jesus, accepted him and yet knew they were destined for Hell.
I submit that judgement comes only from God. Any interpretation by man is a best guess.
No interpretation needed. Scripture is rather clear. We are told that a true faith would produce a changed life.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
While it is true that only God knows the heart we are told what true faith looks like. I, for one, wouldn’t choose to emulate those that show no change in their life. I suppose each person has to decide for themselves which is the more prudent path. Salvation, after all, is a personal thing.
“mafia members” is a perfect example of claiming you’re saved doesn’t make it so. But then, claiming and sincerely believing and sincerely trying doesn’t mean you wont sin again either....but that’s what repenting is for. Claim it, live it, and as you fail, repent of it and try to get smarter about avoiding future failing. That’s the call.
God asks us to try, with all our informed heart, and be contrite where we fail. He’ll decide whether we’re worthy - the good and bad news is, it’s not up to our own judgement of “worthy”, as we aren’t, but the good news is He tells us He’s All Loving and All Merciful and we Trust in Him.
when you join the Cosa Nostra you commit to hell, they just go to confession for show
Faith by works. They can say they knew Jesus all they want. Their actions say different. Claiming to know Him and knowing Him are two vastly different things. While we are all sinners, to overtly and egregiously continue to sin in the face of God demonstrates a lack of faith.
Doesn't Jesus say that the demons also believe, and trermble?