The Bible is littered with examples of false believers. You quoted one yourself:
They profess that they know God, but in works they deny [him], being abominable and rebellious and reprobate unto every good work.: Titus 1:16
It appears, then, that to you, faith in the Bible is all about talk. All one has to do is SAY that he has faith and it is automatically true in Catholicism. If they never had it in the first place (a Protestant "invention") then it could not be said that they lost it later if they turned away. Catholicism NEEDS for there to be no assurance, and the only way that is possible is for people with true faith to lose it. The only way that is possible is for it to be true that everyone who claims faith actually does have it. In Catholicism, true faith of others is evidenced by talk, the later works (or lack thereof) merely determine whether that faith was lost or not.
FK: "Do you say that Judas had true faith at one time, but simply "fell away"? If you say 'yes', then you also have to believe that when satan entered into Judas, satan kicked out the Holy Spirit that lives within all true believers."
The Holy Spirit doesn't force Himself on people. He is love and love doesn't force itself. Judas refused love, so it was his choice to grieve the Holy Spirit, to reject him (as the Pharisees did, according to Stephen in Acts.)
So the Spirit only takes up temporary residence in believers until He is kicked out and then invited back in again? Paul seemed to have another view:
1 Cor. 3:16-17 (KJV): 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Does it sound like Paul is talking about a sublet here? I don't think so. A sacred Holy Temple is permanent. Even when the Jews were not right with God, did He flee from His Temple? No. Neither does the Spirit flee from us.
FK: "This is more of the same thing. Some had professed to having faith, but did not really have it."
So that might include you as well?
No, that couldn't include me. God sent me a personal telegram with a confirmation number, the same as He did for you, I presume.
Nowhere does the Bible talk about "false faith". Either one has faith, which may be immature, or one does NOT have faith.
What do you think I mean by "false faith"? It is someone who claims to have faith but does not. But for you, there are no such people in the Bible, because all that is needed for faith is a claim of it. For you, no one ever lied or was simply flat out wrong about whether he had faith, any claim of it established it as a fact.
Given this, then all Protestants have a clear way to heaven in Catholicism. I assume that you think that each of us was true in our initial professions of faith, but then many/most lost that faith when we failed to start practicing Catholicism (we didn't confess our mortal sins to a priest, etc.). So, all we have to do is keep re-claiming to have faith after each sin, and then we're covered. Every claim of faith is genuine, so who needs confession? We'll just re-up our claim every time and be true in the faith again.
HOW do I know when the Holy Spirit speaks to YOU or Fred the Baptist? Basically, you are saying I should listen to you because you happen to be blessed with the Spirit? No one is more fooled by delusion than the self.
About listening to me, I would have the same attitude with you that Paul had with the Bereans, which was, in effect: "DON'T listen to me at all until you know that what I say is consistent with scriptures". The Bereans did exactly that, and Paul loved them for it.
"Apostle" Forest Keeper, may God have mercy on you!
Not sure what you are getting at in that ramble which I didn't post all of. Frankly, it doesn't matter what other people say or see, it is what God sees. He knows if you are a true believer by how you put your faith in action. Even good works done with bad motives will be noticed by God.
So the Spirit only takes up temporary residence in believers until He is kicked out and then invited back in again? Paul seemed to have another view:1 Cor. 3:16-17 (KJV):
You aren't reading the whole context of that Scripture. Paul is warning those divisive Corinthians to behave, otherwise, the Spirit will leave them.
"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy that one" 1 Cor 3:17a
God destroys people by leaving them. He expects more from those who have the Spirit given to them. Thus, God doesn't automatically pull on puppet strings, but requires a response from man.
No, that [Some had professed to having faith, but did not really have it.] couldn't include me. God sent me a personal telegram with a confirmation number, the same as He did for you, I presume.
Of course not. False bravado and presumption are most certainly typical of a Christian charecter, at least what I am finding out by talking to you... Humility is not found anywhere in such attitude.
What do you think I mean by "false faith"? It is someone who claims to have faith but does not. But for you, there are no such people in the Bible, because all that is needed for faith is a claim of it.
Faith, in this case, is from God's point of view. You either have it or you don't. This "false faith" is for men. Men don't judge men for eternal salvation - which is what we are speaking of. Thus, there is no false faith in God's eyes. Either it is there (perhaps in insufficient qunatity, such as a workless faith), or it is not there at all. Phony faith is not faith.
Given this, then all Protestants have a clear way to heaven in Catholicism. I assume that you think that each of us was true in our initial professions of faith, but then many/most lost that faith when we failed to start practicing Catholicism (we didn't confess our mortal sins to a priest, etc.). So, all we have to do is keep re-claiming to have faith after each sin, and then we're covered.
So exactly how does a person claim to have faith in Jesus Christ but refuses to follow those He left behind? Ever heard of "He who rejects you rejects Me"? "If you love Me, you will obey my commandments"? Does Christ rule your life, or do you pick and choose which laws of Christ to follow?
About listening to me, I would have the same attitude with you that Paul had with the Bereans, which was, in effect: "DON'T listen to me at all until you know that what I say is consistent with scriptures". The Bereans did exactly that, and Paul loved them for it.
Paul loved the Bereans because, unlike the Thessolonians, who ALSO looked at Scriptures, agreed with Paul! And I am sure that Paul was really happy with the Bereans that they figured out how to celebrate the Eucharist from the OT Scriptures ALONE...Or baptize people from the OT Scriptures ALONE... Or to forget about Circumcision from the OT Scriptures ALONE...
Regards