"Dead to sin" does not mean we don't sin because all we have to do is look around and see that all men sin every day, as Paul said.
"Dead to sin" means that because we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit we now feel remorse, sorrow and repentance for our sins because we now "know the things of God" and how much sin betrays the gift He's given us.
it is not our business to speculate where Mother Theresa's soul is. If anything, a true Christian can only say "God have mercy on us sinners," and "Thy will be done."
NO ONE has said anything different on this thread. What we know of "God's will" is found in the Scriptures and the Scriptures tell us that no one will see heaven who denies Him.
On this thread we have quoted Mother Teresa's own remarks concerning her loss of faith. If she died in her disbelief then she did not receive the salvation that comes with faith.
If Mother Teresa's last thought on her mind as she died was "I have no faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, God and Savior," what is your best guess as to her eternal reward?
Do you think she could be saved having said she once knew Christ and then turned her back on Him?
Would Peter have been saved if his life had ended after he denied Christ?
Well, neither Paul not Christ give you any credit for just feeling the remorse. Saying you are sorry just doesn't cut it. How many times do you want to be regenerated!? In case you missed it, there is only one Baptism. You don't get a second chance.
Christ commands you: "sin no more!" and Paul says you are a slave to righteousness. You can't serve two masters. If you have faith you will never cheat on God, but if you continue to sin, Paul tells you there is no faith in you..
And he says that if, once regenerated, you continua to sin you are not going to heaven. Those who claim to be in Christ but can't say not to sin are cheaters, and they have no faith, says Paul clearly. No one ever says in the Bible that being a Christian would be easy.
That's something Luther invented. Paul and Peter tell you that being a Christian is a life of self-denial and suffering. Protestants turned that around into a cult of feel-good self-rightouesness.
NO ONE has said anything different on this thread. What we know of "God's will" is found in the Scriptures and the Scriptures tell us that no one will see heaven who denies Him.
Doubt is not a denial. It's actually a struggle.
If Mother Teresa's last thought on her mind as she died was "I have no faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, God and Savior," what is your best guess as to her eternal reward?
I don't second guess God. But it seems to me, self-professed "Christians" do.
Do you think she could be saved having said she once knew Christ and then turned her back on Him?
Christians should be content believing that God is just and merciful, always and forever more.
Would Peter have been saved if his life had ended after he denied Christ?
Is that any of your concern? You have the commandment "sin no more." Are you a "slave to righteousness" or just something you profess on your lips in hopes it catches? Are you faithful to God? If you are not, Apostle Paul says there is not faith you.
Catholics and Orthodox know that and that's why they keep saying "God have mercy". That's why they can only hope that their imperfect faith will not condemn them if they honestly try and persevere despite their weakness.