Good Works & Salvation

[PelagiathePenit]

What does it mean that you cannot earn your salvation?

 

[MyNameIsDan]

I think this has been a matter of great debate between the Catholic Church and Protestantism (for quite some time. For some, it has been clarified as is the case here: vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html).

Generally, when somebody says you cannot earn your salvation, they mean you cannot work for it; that God’s mercy and your salvation aren’t bought by your actions.

Please see the following links:

catholic.com/quickquestions/why-does-the-church-teach-that-works-can-obtain-salvation

catholic.com/magazine/articles/we-can-work-it-out

ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/FAWORKS.HTM

It is important to be careful when understand the different perspectives on this. Works is a response to faith and to God’s grace. It is by God’s mercy that we obtain salvation, not through our works. But our works are a response to God’s call. It doesn’t make sense to say “I believe in God and love God” but fail to respond to His call. This is where works comes in. That’s how I understand it, anyway.

 

[Dorothy]

I think this has been a matter of great debate between the Catholic Church and Protestantism (for quite some time. For some, it has been clarified as is the case here: vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html).

Generally, when somebody says you cannot earn your salvation, they mean you cannot work for it; that God’s mercy and your salvation aren’t bought by your actions.

Please see the following links:

catholic.com/quickquestions/why-does-the-church-teach-that-works-can-obtain-salvation

catholic.com/magazine/articles/we-can-work-it-out

ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/FAWORKS.HTM

It is important to be careful when understand the different perspectives on this. Works is a response to faith and to God’s grace. It is by God’s mercy that we obtain salvation, not through our works. But our works are a response to God’s call. It doesn’t make sense to say “I believe in God and love God” but fail to respond to His call. This is where works comes in. That’s how I understand it, anyway.

Great post! Thank you.

 

[glendab]

Faith without works is dead.

Glenda

 

[peace2u2]

What does it mean that you cannot earn your salvation?

It means that salvation is a gift from God. He offers this gift of Himself - His Grace - to all men. Then we receive this gift by either unwrapping it and allowing our faith to meet His Grace in our life or we keep it wrapped and unused rejecting His Grace in our life.

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–

 

[Beryllos]

What does it mean that you cannot earn your salvation?

It means that your works, as good and necessary as they are, cannot carry you across the huge gap that separates heaven and earth. Only God can do that.

 

[Bookcat]

Regarding Faith and Works in St. Paul

Pope Benedict XVI

(Two audiences from the Year of St. Paul)

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081119_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081126_en.html (begins a bit down)

and one from a few years earlier: vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061108_en.html