Correct, and that is what everyman that credits himself with being able to purchase his salvation by following church law, or the commandments or good deeds tries . They are attempting to be able to say to God, you owe me salvation based on MY MERITS . I am "better " than most people...It is an attempt to oblige God to save you
Negative. The Catholic understands that he will stand alone before God and answer for each and every action and inaction in his whole life. There is no purchasing, there is no pass, there is no sliding by. There is only God.
But the saved do not credit themselves with anything of value before God.. Like the publican we stand before God as sinners in need of a Savior.. We credit Christ, as the author and finisher of our faith.. we have no standing or merit before God EXCEPT IN CHRIST..who is our propitiation before God, who merited salvation for us by His work..not ours..
By declaring personal salvation before your death, before Christ Judges you, you attempt to gainsay Him and to anticipate His Judgement. Wrong. I cannot say that I am saved because He has not yet Judged me. It is His Judgement that matters, not any human.
Mark let me ask you, why does God save men?
Because He wishes to have all those men who wish to be with Him forever with Him forever. He loves all mankind. More than that, Scripture does not state.
That is a non answer... why does God want to save men ? Is He lonely ? Does He need company? Why does God wish to save anyone?
Actually Scripture does state why .
How sad, to go to your death not knowing your final end.. Perhaps that is why I saw so many Catholics die in fear.. hanging onto their rosary, that will never save. And Protestants die so well ..
Mark I know my eternal fate. I faced death a couple years ago, with peace. I love this life, and my family, I love the earth God created.. I was not anxious to leave it all, but I knew if that was the time God ordained I would be in His arms
I am so sorry that you can not share that assurance.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God
Mark those that choose to live by the law and not grace will be judged by the law
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;