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IMRight the day you die, you will still be a catholic no matter what anyone tells you, you will never turn from the catholic faith, is that about right?

No. I wouldn't say so at all. I'm not exactly sure how to put my thoughts on this into words, so I won't be held accountable for trying. Ok?

I absolutely am open to the possibility that I personally am wrong. I have even had my faith shaken (both in the church and in God - kind of "I believe. Help thou my unbelief!") and it would be something less than God Himself appearing to me to change my heart. I know too many people on both sides of the fence who sincerely follow Christ to assume that God intended everyone on the other side to be wholly deceived (tis a shame you don't feel the same way) about the things of God. So I cannot say that I am 100% certain to be a Catholic Christian when I finish the race. (I can say that I will finish this race - with Christ's help). I can also say, however, that I have seen very little that gives me doubt of it.

At the same time I must point out that I feel that it is incumbent upon us to conform our will to the will of God - and not the other way around. I believe that if you are Catholic (or any denomination) because "they agree with 90% of what I believe" than you set yourself up in the place of God. This is the sin that I fear too many on the other side have fallen into. They look around until they find a church that already teaches what they believe and pick that one. This is really conforming God's will to our own instead of the other way around. So how can I avoid that? You all say that the Spirit guides you in truth and that the scriptures speak clearly, yet you rarely have a uniformity of belief on the issues. Am I to believe that one of you (you of course, Mack) is the correct one and the others do not really have the Spirit? That they are not really Christians? Or shall I believe that some or all of you are earnestly seeking Christ and still have a weakened will, a disordered appetite, or some other sinfull bent (as do I) that leads them away from correct doctrine but not necessarilt away from Christ?

I've said it before. I believe that we will be in heaven because of Christ's sacrifice and because of our faith in Him. Not because of our correct interpretation of precisely >how that sacrifice is played out in each Christian's life or what precisely constitutes "faith" in Christ. There will be no theology exam at the gates that day, merely His shed blood.

You see, my friend, I believe that your incorrect doctrine (and mine) is sin - plain and simple, but nothing more than that. And, like every other sin, it is entirely dealt with by the cross. Not "the keys", not "Sola Scriptura", not "Sola Fide" or any other point of argument. The Cross.

Hope that answers the question. - Peace

The Catholic Encyclopedia sets out the two basic positions fairly, I think:The Protestant principle is: The Bible and nothing but the Bible; the Bible, according to them, is the sole theological source; there are no revealed truths save the truths contained in the Bible; according to them the Bible is the sole rule of faith: by it and by it alone should all dogmatic questions be solved; it is the only binding authority. Catholics, on the other hand, hold that there may be, that there is in fact, and that there must of necessity be certain revealed truths apart from those contained in the Bible; they hold furthermore that Jesus Christ has established in fact, and that to adapt the means to the end He should have established, a living organ as much to transmit Scripture and written Revelation as to place revealed truth within reach of everyone always and everywhere. I think that the argument over John 6 shows the inadequacy of the New Testament as a "final authority." No book can act in that role. We are, at bottom, dealing with ineffable experiences. Human language is adequate to the purpose. Often when reading the New Testament, I run into the same difficulties that I have when I look at my Mon's old photo album. Onece, long ago, I went through it with her, and she explained them. Now, she is gone, and I have forgotten exactly what she said and even the cryptic notes on the backs of the pictures tell me little.

Thanx for your reply, I'm in danger of getting more dust on me but here goes. :)If I understand what you have posted right, you are saying were all right if we hold onto what Christ did on the cross for us, but you still hold to the teachings of the catholic church on how to receieve the grace and I hold to the faith only teachings only and we both could be in sin because of our error if either of us is wrong, but we both will finish the race inspite of ourselfs, is that about right?

One of the characteristics of the last days will be widespread deception on earth. The Lord Jesus is coming back soon and the devil and his hordes know this. The devil has already been judged and knows his fate is eternity in hell. He hates God and His creation. Right now spiritual battles are being fought for the souls of men and women. The devil knows if he can deceive a person so that they die without the Lord Jesus as Saviour then that person will spend their eternity in hell, the lake of fire.

The dangers of deception:

Matthew 24:4 4. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:11 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:24 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:5 5. And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many.

It is interesting to note that the Lord Jesus repeated Himself several times while warning about deceivers and deceptions. There is a clear warning about deceptions coming into the world. In fact the danger is so real that the Lord Jesus felt it necessary to repeat the warning more than once. I think everyone should take heed to the warnings about deception due to the importance that the Lord Jesus put on that subject. Don't feel you are somehow exempt from deceptions. Everyone should prepare themselves so they may withstand all the deceptions of the enemy.

The deceptions will center around the simple plan of salvation found ONLY in the Lord Jesus Christ. Deceivers have the goal of leading people to hell. That is accomplished by misleading others so they will not accept the ONLY way a person may be saved, the Lord Jesus Christ!

ONLY ONE WAY TO BE SAVED!

In the Bible God makes it clear that there is only ONE way to be saved and that is through the salvation provided by the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is what the Bible says about the only way a person may be saved:

Acts 4 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 14 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Romans 6 23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The above verses give a good view of the fact that salvation is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the ONLY way to be saved and as a result all other so-called ways lead to destruction and hell.

How many deceivers are out there? Is it just a few people or will deception be widespread? The apostle Paul gave a warning before his death. He could have spoken on any subject but chose the topic of deceivers. Look at the following Scripture for the answer about how many deceivers are in the world:

Acts 20 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

This warning from the Apostle Paul plus all the warnings from the Lord Jesus about deceivers indicates that there will be many people who are deceivers. This is a great warning of danger and it should be heeded.

2 John 1:7 7. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

God became a man (the Lord Jesus) and died on the cross in payment for sin. He now offers salvation to all who will receive His love gift with a repentant, trusting heart. Everything needed for salvation was completed at the cross. The death of the Lord Jesus and His shed blood is all that is needed to wipe out the stain of sin forever. However deceivers deny this and attempt to add on to the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. The center of salvation is shifted away from the Lord Jesus Christ to the person who must perform certain rituals, works, penance, or purgatory in order to merit favors from God and remove sin. In teaching this, deceivers have denied the fact that salvation is a free gift. Salvation is a gift to be received by faith and not earned by works of any kind.

BigMack