I've repeated no errors. You claimed, as many Catholics have been mistakenly taught, that you don't pray TO Mary.
I provided several examples of prayers written by Roman Catholics that show the Catholic does pray TO Mary.
To be clear, authentic Catholics only recognize the Triune God as Creator and Savior. The Advocate (Holy Spirit) is also God, but works through the living, including Mary. There is a huge difference between “worship” and “honor”.
We have no evidence that Mary is being used as she is in Heaven. She cannot hear our prayers. She cannot answer any prayers. She can do nothing for a believer on this planet.
The Roman Catholic goes way beyond honoring Mary.
The only way we should honor Mary is to count her blessed as recorded by Luke. Anything beyond that goes beyond honor and moves into worship.
The kneeling before the "statues" of Mary, the prayers TO Mary, lighting candles before these "statues", relying upon Mary for your salvation are all acts of worship.
In summary, you’re like the guy in the joke: sitting on the roof in the flood waiting for God’s help, refusing the rescues by the helicopters (which were sent by God).
Hint: Mary and the saints exist to help YOU.
Hint: Christians have the Holy Spirit and Jesus constantly interceding for us as Paul notes in Romans 8:26-27 and Romans 8:31-35.
Perhaps you don’t feel you need to ask for help.
As a believer in Christ I ask for HIS help. But I do so in accordance with what is revealed in the New Testament.
11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:11-12 NASB
This really comes down to this: does the Roman Catholic have faith that if they approach God He will hear and answer their prayers?
Are you sure you’re worthy of God’s saving grace?
No believer is worthy of His grace. Yet He still offers it to us.
; so you are perfect and never slip up?
Nope. Never claimed to be perfect. However, as a believer in Christ my sins, as all other believers, have been wiped away by the blood of Christ (Colossians 2:13-14)
So can I lose my salvation by praying to Mary and other saints for their intercession with God?
That’s the main question.
I am saved. I believe in Jesus as my only Lord and Savior.
I do not intentionally sin. I believe that praying to living saints (and angels) in heaven is permitted based on Revelation 5:8, so I do it often. I don’t believe they are God, but that they can intervene with God for me.
Have I lost my salvation?
That’s a yes or no question.
Love,
O2