Oh FRiend, based on John 6:45 we know that all who come to Christ have been taught by God. My eyes were opened and I was enlightened to the Truth of Christ way back in 1977. That’s when I was saved by His glorious grace, and His grace alone.
I’m sorry Catholics don’t like it when others express themselves regarding the papacy and the Roman Catholic system of religion. I suppose that’s understandable and I don’t mean to be hurtful. However, it should likewise be understandable that many of us are equally offended by Rome. It should be understandable that those of us who live under the explicit anathemas of Rome, those whose spiritual ancestors were slaughtered for centuries by Rome, cannot now pretend that the Roman church is just another Christian denomination that happens to do things a little differently. I can’t in good conscience pretend the popes are anything but wicked men. And based on the Bible I can’t pretend the Roman religion is anything but apostate.
To keep the peace, perhaps all things Catholic should be limited to caucus threads so Catholics aren’t offended by all the hurtful responses from those of us bound by conscience to speak against the pope’s system and to speak for the gospel of His free and sovereign grace.
To be clear, my issue is with the Roman Catholic system— her institutions, doctrines, and leadership—and not her people. Based on Revelation 18:4, I am hopeful there is a remnant of regenerate believers to be found among the Catholic laity. I suspect that once men are truly saved they will grow uncomfortable and eventually leave the Catholic system. I know many Catholics, to include a good number of my own relatives, and most are ignorant of both Catholic and Christian doctrine, and I feel sorry for them. What they need more than anything in the world is for people like me to care enough to sound the alarm and tell them the TRUTH.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)