****Then what did he need die for? For a one-time baptism? Then after that, one sin again separates?****
Not at all and a not unusual misunderstanding of Scripture and Catholic doctrine.
Before His birth, life, death and resurrection when the people of God were under the Law, there was no one who could perfectly fulfill that Law. No one who could perfectly follow that Law.
Even with the yearly sacrifices of atonement by the high priest, the gates of heaven remained closed until that one sacrifice that was the perfect sacrifice, Jesus.
But, again, the works of the Law are not the works which Jesus speaks of in those verses.
I do not throw out Paul, he is very much a part of any Catholic’s life and prayer and Scripture reading. Paul’s message of faith and salvation through grace is no different than the words of Jesus I quoted here.
Faith is a gift of grace and so is salvation, neither can be earned or merited. Both given freely out of love.
But, Jesus clearly says we must obey his commandments. He clearly says, you are my friends if you keep my commands.
Jesus said the two most important commandments are to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and to love your neighbor as He loves you.
Does this mean that salvation is conditional? Or that God’s love has strings?
Not at all.
Sin weakens our ability to love God and love our neighbor and thus, threatens our friendship with Jesus. He has not stopped loving us but sin may lead us to harden our heart toward Him, even though we not be aware of that hardening.
But, are those sins enough to cause Jesus to deny us on judgement day? St. John’s first letter speaks of sins which lead to death and sins which do not lead to death. Further along in that letter, John mentions not having the love of God if one does not care for his brother/sister who are in need. John also speaks of those who have faith but no works and those who have works but no faith. He definitely connects the two.
In conclusion, faith, grace and salvation are indeed freely ours through Jesus when we make the choice to follow Him and obey His commandments. If we are condemned, it is by our choice to reject salvation through our action or non action. Jesus does call us but we must answer that call.
No misunderstandings here on my own part...it is a vain conceit to assume so. Then again I was admittedly speaking towards how the [ahem] gospel was much presented by the RCC in the Dark Ages. We've all come a ways since then.
But the rest of what follows in your reply is a well crafted deflection away from what I was talking about, with a sort of explanatory approach towards the Word one can find in most any Baptist church.
Days ago I had written a reply going into detail regarding what I was talking about in regards to the relationship between faith and works (and that which you claim is some misunderstanding on my part). I'll not rewrite it for the time being, yet will likely return to the theme at some future time. God willing.
Not by works, but (good) works will follow, for they must. It's an order of operations sort of thing.