Posted on 03/02/2015 11:21:42 AM PST by RnMomof7
The New Testament is clear about the nature of saving faith. “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Romans 3:28). “A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus . . . since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Galatians 2:16). “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5).
According to Scripture, salvation is by faith in Christ alone through God’s grace alone. When you put your trust in Jesus Christ He declares you righteous—not because you are, but because He imputes His righteousness to you, and because He paid the penalty for your sin. Christ bears our sin and we receive His righteousness. That is the indescribable glory of the doctrine of justification (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church stands in stark opposition to that biblical understanding. Rather than salvation by grace through faith, they preach a false gospel of works.
The words of the Council of Trent—convened to affirm and codify the teaching of the Catholic Church in response to the Reformation—clearly spell out the Catholic version of justification that still stands today. “Hence, to those who work well unto the end and trust in God, eternal life is to be offered, both as a grace mercifully promised to the sons of God through Christ Jesus, and as a reward promised by God himself, to be faithfully given to their good works and merits.” Salvation in the Catholic system is something you earn “by those very works which have been done in God, fully satisfied the divine law according to the state of this life and to have truly merited eternal life.”
That is an absolute and total contradiction of the Word of God. It’s a completely foreign gospel, manufactured by the Catholic Church and able only to condemn, not save. No amount of repetitious prayers, veneration of the saints and other church relics, or masses attended can redeem a sinner’s soul. No priest has the power to forgive sins, and no indulgence bought and paid for can hold back the due punishment of those sins.
At the heart of the merit-based Catholic system is the unbiblical concept of purgatory. In fact, it’s the invention of purgatory that makes Catholic dogma attractive at all—without it, Catholicism would be a very hard sell. Catholics are never really on solid spiritual ground. They can’t know for certain if they’re saved or whether they will ever make it into heaven. And even confident, pious Catholics live in perpetual fear of committing a mortal sin that will throw them out of favor with God and the church.
It’s the false doctrine of purgatory that provides Catholics their spiritual safety net, bringing false hope to people trapped in a hopeless system. It’s the one relief in their entire guilt-ridden, fear-ridden system of works righteousness. And it is complete fiction—a tragic farce that’s led countless souls to hell.
The apostle Paul could not have been clearer about the true nature of justification: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). That gracious, glorious gospel has been rejected by the Catholic Church, and they have replaced it with a corrupt, unbiblical system of works righteousness and merit-based salvation.
Presiding over that twisted system of satanic lies is the pope. And that is where we’ll pick it up tomorrow.
Depends. If they believed they had earned their salvation by their own merits, then they are in hell, for they have no merits except what is given to them from above.
If they believed in their heart of hearts that they were unworthy of heaven and of the glory of martyrdom, then they are surely in heaven.
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
“John MacArthur’s views on John MacArthur? Huh?”
Who said what I posted was from John MacArthur? You apparently did not actually read the passage and see it was linked to elsewhere. Figures.
It’s simple a case of cause and effect. Grace is the cause of works, and works are the effect of Grace. You simply cannot have one without the other.
RnMomof7, I directed my question toward you owing to a post you made: Post
Catholics make the mistake of thinking that we think ALL protestants are saved (Christians).. Our churches are full of unsaved people that will be spending time in hell with Muslims , Mormons, JWs , atheists, Buddhists, Hindus , and Catholics
I was wondering if the Copts were included in the above list of the damned, that is, of the "unsaved" despite giving their lives for their Faith, calling upon the Name of Jesus.
It is obvious to the saved here... No one is saved because they are born into a "Christian" family or goes to church, or does good works
So, are the 21 Coptic Christians, who lost their lives for their faith, in heaven because they were martyred (greater love hath no man), or in hell because they are not sola fides, sola scriptura, self-Bible-interpreting “born-again” people who say they follow Jesus?
As one of the damned, that is, a Catholic (as you once were, noting your home page), I'm curious as to what you think, in light of your aforementioned post.
Those listed after you were in the post and thus pinged out of courtesy. I apologize to anyone after the ellipsis, I couldn't retrieve your names.
Same here. I used to believe in purgatory too, but I thought I could not stop committing mortal sins, so purgatory would not have worked for me anyway. I never thought I was good enough. Maybe that is why I got saved. 😄😄😃😊
There is no way of knowing the answer to that abut individuals. We are told there will be those who cry "Lord, Lord" but will be turned away. So the simple fact that cried out in Jesus name can not be used by us to Judge one way or another.
As for proclaiming the teachings of someone which contradict scripture as accursed that is an entirely different thing. Paul clearly tells us that anyone teaching something they didn't is accursed.
I have that peace CynicalBear. I am anxious for my folks and the good FRiends here that are Catholic. If I am to work to convince Catholics of any heresy, I want to be as accurate as the Lord can help me be.
Scripture with sincere requests to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Bless you and prayers for continued peace.
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