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I have wondered for a long time if people think they must "cooperate" with God's grace through their good works in order to be saved - that it is their faith PLUS their works that saves them - are they really, truly saved??? Have they fully placed their trust in Jesus Christ or are they counting on their own merit? I know some really nice people who assert that they must do good works as well as believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved. They say they ARE saved by the grace of God BUT they must do all the things their church tells them to do in order to stay in a "state of grace" and merit going to heaven. I know because I used to be a Roman Catholic, but like the author of this article I came out of it when God opened my eyes to the TRUE gospel of the grace of God and I received Christ as my Savior AND Lord.

I pray all the time for them that the Holy Spirit opens their eyes to understand that they can NEVER merit, deserve or earn their salvation which is why it is because of God's mercy and grace alone that we can be saved. He gifts to us eternal life by His grace THROUGH faith and not of anything of ourselves - not of works so that no one may boast. I pray that they will come to understand just how much God loves them and what Jesus Christ suffered and died for so that we can have eternal life. No one says that we shouldn't live in obedience to God so that He is glorified and honored - that IS what He created us to do - but that our works do not contribute to our salvation. Jesus paid it all - IT IS FINISHED - he said. By His one sacrifice, he has perfected forever those who are being saved - we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. I sincerely hope they will come to know the peace of God in Christ Jesus and rejoice in the assurance of their salvation - to the glory of God.