No, that’s not what I’m saying. Christ did do a complete job of salvation by His death on the Cross. His complete act allowed salvation to even be possible. Up until then no one was entering Heaven.
He made it pretty clear that one’s behavior had an impact on one’s salvation. He speaks about how narrow the gate is. His many teachings center on our behaviors. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples, obviously already believers, did not recognize Him until they took the action of breaking bread and sharing the Eucharist. They already believed but could not see Him as He really is until the celebrating of the Eucharist.
As I said before, the unfruitful fig tree is a good example of Christ’s teaching that we must produce good “fruit.” It’s not enough, according to Him, to be a beautiful, strong tree. We must PRODUCE.
The following passages show the insight behind Catholic teaching on works:
Grace can be lost through mortal sin: 1 John 5: 15-17, Rom 11: 21-22, Heb 10: 26-311, 2 Peter 2: 20-22.
The works of sin can still bring about eternal death: Mt 25: 31-46, Rom 2: 1-13, 1 Cor 6: 9-11, 1 Cor 10: 6-13, 2 Cor 5: 9-10, Gal 5: 13-21, Gal 6: 6-10 and Rev 22: 12-15.
When we take all these passages together, along with Christ’s parables and the Beatitudes, and Christ’s comments on hell, it becomes clear that God expects us to LIVE as we believe. We can’t just say we believe and not follow Christ in our daily life.
Thanks for your suggestion that I read more of Revelations. I’ve read them in their entirety many times. What I read in Revelations convinces me our actions are an integral part of our salvation.
So you insist that we still EARN at least part of our salvation. I don’t.
I believe that if we are truly saved with “the spirit of God in our hearts” we will do good works because of the leading of the spirit.
The Bible tells me that when God forgives me of my since they are removed “as far as the East is from the West”. That means to me that they are still going away because you can’t measure that distance. If you start going East there is never a time when you start going West. On the other hand if you go North there comes a time when you are again going South so it is a measurable distance.
Now, if God says that and that I am “washed white as snow” how can He, after my death, bring them up again? Wouldn’t hat make Him a liar?