"That's the thing about Catholics, you never know if you're going to hell or not".
Two things to say here that you should consider...
1. don't be presumptuous. If we KNEW, what would be the point of hope that Paul and the rest speak of?
2. Paul, being a good catholic, thought the same thing:
1 Cor 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
If Paul was a once-saved/always-saved Christian, he had a funny way of describing his possible disqualification from the imperishable reward.
Regards
Last night I was watching the Contender, with Sly Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard. I've always really liked to watch boxing matches, I have to shield my eyes when an exceptional blow is landed, but I'm intrigued by what motivates a man to take up this sport. I use to watch boxing with my Dad and brothers when I was younger; I'm sure one of the reasons I'm attached to it is it reminds me of the days when I used to sit at this feet, alongside my brothers (I'm an only girl) and watch for the next great, white, Italian hope.
Anyway, one of the Contenders was described as a Devout Catholic, and he hails from Virginia. Didn't see him spar so I can't say how good he is, and of course, I'm pulling for him.
Listening to the boxers talk, you could hear the echo of this Scripture in their words. It's a holy quest for a lot of them, and that sometimes seems hard to reconcile given the nature of the Sport. It's an interesting study in which what seems base is transcended into a fleeting glimpse of the sublime.