[metmom]

Catholics are incapable of seeing the distinction between good works that are the fruit of salvation, the proof to the world of the work of God in one’s live, and works as a means of earning salvation.

All they think people do good works for is to show off how much more spiritual they are than others.

Been there, done that and know LOTS of other Catholics who thought that way.

[boatbums]

It's not just Catholics that think that way. There are even many “Protestant” denominations as well as cults that make salvation dependent upon a person's merit.

My thinking on this is that if Satan can get someone to believe they add to the work of Christ by their own efforts, then they are not really trusting or believing in Jesus Christ as savior and will not be saved. How easily he slips into men's hearts through the doorway of pride. Some are just wide-open.

[Forest Keeper]

Been there, done that and know LOTS of other Catholics who thought that way.

Yep, that is surely the way it looks from many of my interactions in the real world too. You really are doing a great job doing the heavy lifting on this thread. Thanks for all the pings.