Catholics (and Orthodox, if I may) also believe that repentance is inspired within us by God. But not irrestibly. Even the "saved" (your definition) do not repent for everything. People who are "saved" hold grudges for many years towards people who are family members. That is our human nature. As I have mentioned before, God gives us sufficient grace in all cases to make the decision to say "I forgive you" or "God, forgive me". Unfortunately, some choose not to do this. Forgiveness, then, is not independent. To help me with this, I think about the parable of the sower and the seed. The ground that the seed falls upon will determine the fruit, correct? Of course, without the seed, there will be NO FRUIT! We cannot bear fruit without being part of the vine...
I would say that Protestants believe that we are all born into sin, through Adam. We have no control over our nature to sin. I thought Catholics believe that we are born with a tendency to sin and I would presume that they would also agree that all have sinned.
Technically, we believe we are born without sanctifying grace (the inner life of God). As a result, we are not abiding in Christ. Since we can do NOTHING to achieve heaven by ourselves, we are born in a state where we cannot achieve heaven - which many will say is a state of sin. It is not personal sin, but it is sin just the same, because anything without God is sin. Original sin leaves us with the tendency to choose evil, which doesn't go away after we are 'saved', without God's graces.
Whether we have it in our control to sin or not is probably more a general statement. Before I turned to God, I found that I was able to do good, but usually, looking back, I choose the "evil" or something that was my will, not God's will. Catholics have a different idea of anthropology, the plight of man. We believe that man is wounded, man cannot choose the good often. Even when we do, it is out of poor motives. Naturally, we cannot do what is necessary to achieve heaven without God. All men have eventually turned from God at some point in their lives. But again, we don't call man totally depraved, but wounded. We CAN choose good, sometimes, as God has placed His Law into all men's hearts - with sufficient grace to obey it. Most men, though, without knowledge of Christ, will not obey this law. Thus, the greater need of Christ in our lives in an active sense.
Therefore, do you believe that you had the free choice to not sin from birth? Have you always been in control?
I think our sinful tendencies are likely to drown out that "natural law" placed in our hearts by God without God's further graces found in the sacraments and so forth.
When you repent and confess, you say you're sorry only for those things in your direct control?
Scripture points to also being sorry for involuntary or unknown sins. We are urged to examine ourselves, but to also be sorry for any ways in which we offended God, intentionally or not.
Brother in Christ
OK. That is absolutely consistent with what you have said before, I agree.
Since we can do NOTHING to achieve heaven by ourselves, we are born in a state where we cannot achieve heaven - which many will say is a state of sin. It is not personal sin, but it is sin just the same, because anything without God is sin.
If I understand your use of the phrase "personal sin" correctly, I'd say we're singing the same tune.
We CAN choose good, sometimes, as God has placed His Law into all men's hearts - with sufficient grace to obey it. Most men, though, without knowledge of Christ, will not obey this law.
Before I even attempt a guess ---- His Law in our hearts?
Scripture points to also being sorry for involuntary or unknown sins. We are urged to examine ourselves, but to also be sorry for any ways in which we offended God, intentionally or not.
That's a good point. I know for sure this idea is in the OT. Is it also in the NT?
God bless.