I do works of charity, I tithe and give offerings, read and study my Bible...I’m even studying the Greek to know the Word better.
I also have done a few works of charity. I have established three Foundations, and funded two schools and a hospital (in the West African country of Burkina Faso) out of my back pocket. Scripture tells us to lay up our treasures in heaven and that is what I have done and continue now.
I now live in the Philippines, a land full of Roman Catholicism (you know, the place where many different fanatics like to be crucified, literally!). But, there are a great number of Protestant churches, ranging from Southern and American Baptist to Assembly of God and United Pentecostal. Each of those Protestant groups has a distinct view, but they all spend their efforts to make people change from belonging to a group, but instead to seek the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
They have been to 'church' all their lives (though not always consistent in attendance), but haven't ever gotten convicted by the Holy Spirit. They have been through a catechism class which confirms their indoctrination into the group. But, they are taught that only membership and continuous good works will get you into heaven.
But, they also teach that after you are gone, you can still have a chance if people will light candles ($1 a pop) and repeat vain prayers to dead people. Most of what they teach comes from their traditions, and has lithe to do with what Scripture teaches.
Salvation is easy. It does not require good works, or any kind of works. It only requires faith in the sacrifice of Christ which covers all sin.
I have no doubts that there are many saved Roman Catholics. but most that I have met are fully dependent on membership in the cult, not in a personal relationship with Jesus and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ...