He who endures to the end will be saved!

[MacDaddy]

You have not said so or plainly, but between the lines it sounds to me like you are claiming the doctrine of Calvin , would it be rude of me to ask if you follow that way?Carlan

I will answer your question, but then please go back and answer mine…okay.

I have not studied Calvin in great detail, but I follow the teachings of Christ and the writers of the NT & OT. In other words the Bible or word of God. TULIP is the acronym used and fro memory the T is for total depravity, from God’s perspective I would agree. U is I can’t recall, the L is limited atonement, which I would say the reality is it is limited to Christians, but offered to all men. I is for irresistible grace, if I understand that in a “calvinist” sense, is when He moves to drawl a person to salvation, we cannot resist His will; I have to agree because when the veil is removed He is so lovely, who could resist as the Scripture teaches and my own personal experience? P is for perseverance of the saints, which if I understand that a Christian will persevere because they are new creation in Christ Jesus and the power to persevere comes from the Holy Spirit and more than that the entire Trinity and I agree with that. What is the u? undeserved grace? I can’t remember w/o looking it up.

Am I a Calvinist based on my memory and answers?

 

[MacDaddy]

Would it had been a sin for the thief that hung next to Jesus to assume that Christ words to him were a promise? Why is it any different for us to when we trust in the same promises?

Rocket,

I may have asked but can’t recall; how long have you been a Christian? Thanks.

 

[SHW]

Fact, no one can obey the commandments; … This is why we need His imputed righteousness credited fully to our account; otherwise no one will be saved. The purpose of the law and the commandments is to show us we can’t achieve it by anything in us.

How often do you fail to love your neighbor as yourself? How often to you fail to love God with all of your, heart, mind,soul and strength? Everyday most likely if you like the rest of us sinners.

There is no such thing as imputed righteousness. Jesus gives us a clean slate at the instant that we are baptized. This is His free gift of grace to us. It is a one-time gift. After He cleanses us from both Original Sin and all of our own personal sins (this includes paying all necessary reparation for them to God), then we must take up our crosses and follow after Him which means to imitate His life in obedience to His Father until our deaths. If we fail to do this, then we are not approved by Him to receive the crown of eternal life.

Scripture states that His commandments are not burdensome for those who love Him. They desire to obey and strive to obey His commandments in order to please Him. 1 John 5:3

Jesus abolished the Law of Moses. ** In His new covenant, He summed up both the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses ** in a couple of different ways:

Mk 12:28-31
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Lk 10:25-28
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

James calls loving God with your whole mind, strength, heart, and soul; and loving your neighbor as yourself the “royal law.”

The purpose of the “Law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Law, Law of Moses) was to punish the Israelites for worshiping the golden calf. The Ten Commandments existed before the “Law of Moses.” These extra laws were added to the Ten Commandments in order to make their lives extremely difficult. It was their punishment for idol worship. But, then Jesus came to earth and He kept every single one of these commandments in the Law of Moses perfectly. Only His perfect sacrifice on the cross could release us from the Law of Moses and He fulfilled/finished the Old Covenant (Law of Moses) by offering Himself to His Father. Since He fulfilled the OC, it is now obsolete. He made a New Covenant with His Father and since He will never break it, it will last forever.

We all must wage a constant battle against evil until the time of our deaths and persevere in the grace of God until our last breath of life if we desire to enter into eternal life.

We all sin. But, not all sins are deadly sins which cause the loss of spiritual life in our souls. Sins that do not cause the loss of spiritual life in our souls are called venial sins. An example of a venial sin is yelling at your kids because you are tired. These sins do not cause us to lose the right to enter into eternal life.

Sins that do cause the loss of spiritual life in our souls such as adultery and fornication are called mortal sins because they cause soul death; our souls will not have the Holy Spirit (Grace) living in them when we die, so then we cannot inherit eternal life.

Eph 6:11-13
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Rom 7:15
“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.”

Satan continually tries to win souls for himself. He is in a battle with Jesus Christ for souls. Jesus will not force us to follow Him. He has given us all free will to choose whom we desire to follow. Do we choose to sin and thereby follow Satan to hell, or do we choose to obey His commandments and be approved to enter into eternal life? We all have up until our very last breath to choose either way. This is His gift of free will for us.

 

[SHW]

I for one cannot meet that standard; so I’m fully counting on Christ and His righteousness credited to my account and stamped paid in full.

Do you think that this Christian brother will inherit eternal life if he does not repent before death? I don’t.

1 Corinthians 5:11-14
But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Here is what will happen to this evil Christian brother on Judgment Day if he does not repent of his evil deeds before he dies:

Matthew 13:41-42
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

God judges everyone without partiality according to what they do (their works) on Judgment Day.

1 Peter 1:16-17
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

He will judge you and me in this exact same way.

 

[SHW]

Then all of us are following the ruler of this world. When is the last time you sinned? Today, yesterday, a week ago?

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death (Satan), or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Holy Spirit).

We must pick up our crosses daily and follow Jesus’ example of obedience daily in order to be found worthy of the crown of eternal life. Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:38 Jesus battled Satan His entire life. So must we all.

1 Peter 5:6-9
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

How should we resist Satan?

Ephesians 6:11-16
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

2 Timothy 2:24-26
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 2:20-22
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “ Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

Acts 14:21-23
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Matthew 24:12-13
Because of the increase of wickedness, the **love **of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

 

[SHW]

There you go again inserting your own thoughts into the text. 1 John can be hard if you don’t start at the very beginning chapters.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

We must walk in the light (obey His commandments) or else we are lying when we say we have fellowship with Him. When we sin; if we repent and confess these sins, then He will restore us to Himself.

If we sin the sins that lead to death (mortal sins such as adultery and fornication 1 Corinthians 6:8-10), then we lose His fellowship and if we do not repent before death, then we will not be approved to receive the crown of eternal life.

John opens up with a true fact. That if we say we abide in Him yet walk in darkness then the light is not in us because God Is light. It is incompatible for darkness to exist with light. But if while walking in the light and we sin then He purifies us from all sin. Notice that John does not say that we stop sinning, but only that He purifies and forgives us of our unrighteousness. In fact, he says that if we say we have no sin then we are liars. This puts a wedge in your 1 John 2:2 interpreted "Whoever abides in Him does not sin (chooses to not commit sin). because it followed with “whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” In your view then, any time anyone has committed a mortal sin, they would have "neither seen Him nor known Him". How can a Catholic repent of their mortal sin if they do not know Him?

If we sin a deadly sin, then we stop walking in the light at that very instant we sin this deadly sin. We no longer walk in light after we sin a deadly sin. We have insulted the Spirit of Grace and so He no longer abides in our souls. If a person continues to sin deadly sins such as abortion, adultery, and fornication after he comes to the knowledge of the truth about Jesus, then he never really came to the Lord at all. He is but a liar. John is using this manner of speaking in order to make his point that people deceive themselves if they believe that they can still sin deadly sins after their conversions. People know when they sin these types of sins. Their consciences tell them. But, some choose to deceive themselves and believe that they still have fellowship with God even after they commit these evil sins.

1 Timothy 1:18-20
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

In fact is, that Christian still sin, they still struggle with their old nature and do commit sin. And when they do, they do so knowingly and participate with sin willingly. However, as rule, the will to ever do sin is broken, because they do know God, because God lives within them. Sin is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is incompatible with the very reason Jesus Christ came into the world “To take away sin”, and it is incompatible with the new nature.

I must battle against “Satan and sin” my whole life until my last breath. I must also win this battle in order to inherit the crown of eternal life.

Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that** those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.** 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul continues to discipline himself in subjection to Christ’s commandments. Even though he is an apostle/teacher, he is still concerned that he might fall away from the faith and be lost. He does not want to sin and as a result lose the race (be disqualified) for the crown of eternal life.

1 Peter 1:16-18
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if you call on** the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear**;

 

[Carlan]

Maybe I did not phrase the question correctly. Since you have been a Catholic how has your life changed? Better everyday is kind of vague.

The more I know him, the more I love him and serve him. All my hope and trust is in him. I am 83 years old and I have lived my whole adult life wanting to please him, I am a sinner and I know many times I have failed and fallen but he has never ever forsaken me when I repent , he forgives , fills me with his peace and love. My hope is in Him for my endurance and salvationgetholy::.:harp::heaven:Carlan

 

[HisWill777]

Would it had been a sin for the thief that hung next to Jesus to assume that Christ words to him were a promise? Why is it any different for us to when we trust in the same promises?

It isn’t different. Jesus loves all who love Him. He tells us to Trust in Him, and that is what we must do.

 

[Dancelittleewok]

Show me just one that has and I will believe you besides Jesus. If what I said is not true, which is the gospel, then how does a Catholic get to heaven?

Catholics don’t get to Heaven by their merits, but rather their cooperation with the God Whom loved us enough that He gave all humanity to die for them. Catholics get to Heaven the same way Protestants do: by unmerited grace. The difference here is that Catholics believe that participation by use of free will is necessary for our salvation and it’s possible to lose that salvation through sin; this doesn’t mean we believe that we get to Heaven based our own merits but rather a cooperation between unmerited graces and free will.

You failed to answer my question before. Did Jesus whom is the Eternal God, say this i.e. “If you love me, keep me my commandments” if He expected us to have the ability to keep it? Catholics, of course, believe that graces give us this ability but yet Catholic are free to reject those graces.

 

[Dancelittleewok]

Rocket,

I may have asked but can’t recall; how long have you been a Christian? Thanks.

It’s against forum rules to solicit personal information. This is a warning. Perhaps these questions are left to PMs.

 

[MacDaddy]

The more I know him, the more I love him and serve him. All my hope and trust is in him. I am 83 years old and I have lived my whole adult life wanting to please him, I am a sinner and I know many times I have failed and fallen but he has never ever forsaken me when I repent , he forgives , fills me with his peace and love. My hope is in Him for my endurance and salvationgetholy::.:harp::heaven:Carlan

Wow 83 years old; keep on keeping on, I would have never supposed you were 83; you write like you have another 20 or so. God bless you

 

[MacDaddy]

Catholics don’t get to Heaven by their merits, but rather their cooperation with the God Whom loved us enough that He gave all humanity to die for them. Catholics get to Heaven the same way Protestants do: by unmerited grace. The difference here is that Catholics believe that participation by use of free will is necessary for our salvation and it’s possible to lose that salvation through sin; this doesn’t mean we believe that we get to Heaven based our own merits but rather a cooperation between unmerited graces and free will.

You failed to answer my question before. Did Jesus whom is the Eternal God, say this i.e. “If you love me, keep me my commandments” if He expected us to have the ability to keep it? Catholics, of course, believe that graces give us this ability but yet Catholic are free to reject those graces.

I did not fail to answer; I asked you to name one person who can keep his commandments? The implication is that no one can so based on your standard, which is God’s standard, no one will enter heaven; i know for sure i will not based on those standards. I also know i could not cooperate enough to merit favor with God, only the righteousness of Christ satisfies God according to God. I was not trying to avoid, I thought you would be able to read between the lines, sorry about that assumption.

 

[MacDaddy]

It’s against forum rules to solicit personal information. This is a warning. Perhaps these questions are left to PMs.

Lighten up; you sound uncharitable now and he can speak for himself; he knows I am asking in good faith and if he chooses to send me a PM he will and if he chooses to post here he will. This all we do here is ask many personal questions about our faith. Go back and just check a few posts in our own dialogue and you will see we do this. I’m not asking for where he lives, his DOB, his work number, cell nuber etc, that is personal information.

 

[MacDaddy]

It’s against forum rules to solicit personal information. This is a warning. Perhaps these questions are left to PMs.

I don’t take to well to people who interpret the rules in a subjective manner and with an added warning; therefore there will not be anymore dialogue between you and I for I smell a potential false accuser and want no part of that.

It was nice speaking with you and I am sorry it must end on a sour note. God bless you.
MacD

 

[guanophore]

If we recieve grace as “unearned favor” through the merits of Christ Jesus and his perfect sacrifice. If the individual has to cooperate with this grace or else he falls from grace, isn’t this grace become “earned favor”?

No, let me try an analogy. I give my son a car, not because he deserves, it, but because he needs it. I tell him I will provide all the gas with my credit card (merits earned by someone else applied to his acct.). I will pay for the maintenance, and repair any damage. However, my son must take responsibility for recieving the gift. He should not leave it parked in the street with the keys in the ignition. He must take it to the station for filling (Eucharist). He must make appt. with mechanic and take the car for routine maintenance, be alert for problems, and take it for repairs when needed. Does my son taking responsibility for accepting and maintaining my gift make it any less a gift? Did he “earn” the gift?

 

[guanophore]

If you believe that, then why do you exacerbate the situation? 70 year old scandalous grandmother.

Polycarp was older than that when he gave his life for the faith she claims in word but denies in deed.

The way to exacerbate the situation is to pretend to her that she really is Catholic, when she rejects the doctrines handed down to us by the Apostles.

Jesus prayed for me in John 17.
I like that Jesus grafted Peter; interesting. Jesus grafted me to Himself just like Peter. What about you; had any grafting?

1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Why do people die? Because of original sin nature passed through Adam. Therefore, the infant who is baptized cannot die until they reach the age of accountability and commit another sin. That is the implication of your theology; however what is the reality and what does that do to your theology? -

Sorry, I can’t follow this. It seems like you are mixing up original sin with personal.

Adam and Eve did not experience physical death when they disobeyed, but spiritual

Can you show a single example where the Holy Spirit was known to be indwelt and known to leave and then reindwelt in all of Scripture. Why not; based on your theology it is common place; therefore it should be easy to find many examples.

Indeed, it happens every day.

Gal 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
Gal 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Those who walk in the flesh do not inherit the Kingdom. One who returns to a life of sin no longer belongs to Christ.

Joh 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Remember Jesus was talking to BELIEVERS here!

A Christian by his very “New Nature”, dead to sin and alive in Christ, cannot lose a salvation that was a gift from God. Just read the end of Romans 8 and Paul will set you straight on this account.

 

[guanophore]

They have received extra revelation from God?

Yes, of course!

Act 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Water baptism can’t remove sin, but if that is what you believe, then amen. John the Baptist teaches me that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit apart from water. Peter demonstrates this in Acts 10:44-48 and Acts 11:15-18

Matthew 3:11

The Apostles did not separate repentance, HS cleansing, and the profession of faith(confess with your mouth) from the water. This is a very recent innovation.

Then their is no need for a Pope?

I dont’ think Jesus gave us anything we dont need.

The fragmentation of the Church demonstrates how important the Petrine gift is for the Church.

Why should anyone then follow a Roman Pontiff?

He is German, actually.

Jesus wants His Church to be in unity, and he is the symbol of our unity.

Seems rather simplistic; He prayed for all of them and us in John 17. Jesus prayed because Satan requested to sift him and Jesus had other plans for Peter. Reminds me of Job.

Jesus prayed for Peter to be strengthened during the sifting, so that he could then strengthen the others. This is part of the Petrine gifts.

You quote much scripture, but without the foundation of hope laid by Christ Jesus in the heart of the believer, you are building your synopsis on flesh. One can remain in Christ, believe in the merits of the cross, and the hope of eternal life provided by the cross and still fall into sin. He remains in Christ and Christ remains in him because faith in Christ still remains.

No, faith without works is dead. The nature of sin has not changed. Sin separates humans from God. When we sin, we are no longer “in Christ”. Our relationship with him is damaged, sometimes severed. It must be repaired, or we will be thrown into the fire, and burned.

Rather. it is the unbelieving heart, the ultimate sin, the one that does not think Christ’s sacrifice was worthy enough to purge all his sin on the alter that is in danger of hell fire. It is these that have seen God’s goodness provided in Christ Jesus, and walked away to participate in their own righteousness to make them acceptable to God.

Yes, we are in agreement about final impenitence being the only unforgivable sin.

 

[guanophore]

Thanks, Guan!

That’s why I put the emoticons in there. You are right in that I didn’t receive the full truth, and I didn’t know better. Biggest regret of my life. :imsorry:
And that’s why you will hear me loud and clear, “We believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins” if you are standing next to me at Mass. :extrahappy:

Amen dear sister, Amen!

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Can someone please present a single person who is able to keep His commands beside Jesus Himself?

With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Catholics believe that we are saved by grace.

Like a ladder to a window in a burning building, God’s grace is all that can saves us.

Still, we must climb out the window onto the ladder and hang on until we reach the ground.

Sin is like letting go of the ladder. If we pull away too far we will fall.

 

[SHW]

With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Catholics believe that we are saved by grace.

Like a ladder to a window in a burning building, God’s grace is all that can saves us.

Still, we must climb out the window onto the ladder and hang on until we reach the ground.

Sin is like letting go of the ladder. If we pull away too far we will fall.

Good post.

Only God’s Grace Saves Us
Ephesians 2:8

God calls every person to Himself because **He desires for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth and He died as a ransom for all men ** 1 Timothy 2:3-7. God gives every single person enough grace for them to be saved. However, not all persons will take advantage of His grace and so they will not be saved Matthew 22:14.

When a man (or woman) hears God’s call 1 Corinthians 1:9, he either decides to ignore the call or else he listens. If he listens, then he sees himself as a sinner in need of redemption. If he then decides that he does not like this person that he is, then he decides to repent and come to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness Joshua 24:15.

Some persons come to the Lord by receiving the Sacrament of Baptism (the washing of water by the Word) which gives the person sanctifying grace Ephesians 5:26 and also many other graces 1 Corinthians 12:4, Ephesians 4:7. He is now born again spiritually 1 Corinthians 6:11, John 3:6-8.

Some persons (many Protestants) receive the baptism of desire (which they call a heart change, etc.) Acts 10:1-4, Acts 10:47 which is not a sacrament, but it still sanctifies their souls in that it gives them sanctifying grace. Their souls are now made clean; they have been made holy by the Holy Spirit because He is the Grace of God. They are born again spiritually also even though they did not follow God’s command perfectly Matthew 28:19. God meets every person where they are. He will teach them more about His Church later after they are His if they have the capacity to understand His mysteries/sacraments more clearly 1 Corinthians 4:1 Matthew 28:20 .

Since all of these persons are now sanctified Romans 5:1-4, the Holy Spirit now lives within the temples/souls of all of these persons 1 Corinthians 3:16. They now have hope of eternal life Titus 3:7. Hope of eternal life, however, is not a guarantee of eternal life.

Wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is the Father and the Son also because these three Divine Persons (Blessed Trinity) are only One God Hebrews 6:13, 1 Corinthians 8:3; They are undivided Unity.

So, the Holy Trinity now abides/remains in these souls giving them sanctifying grace and this sanctifying grace must be still be found in them at the time of their deaths or else God will not recognize these persons as His own. The Holy Spirit/Grace is the only guarantee of their souls’ salvation 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, and if He is not dwelling within their souls at the time of their deaths, then they will not be saved 1 Corinthians 3:17 and so they will not inherit eternal life. God is a Consuming Fire Hebrews 12:28-29, Acts 2:2-4. All souls must pass through this fire (be tested by this fire) as soon as they die.

The Consuming Fire

To be continued……