How Do I Know I am One of The Elect?

  • Thread starter Thread starter OneForTruth
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Truthstalker said:
Those going through RCIA at some point are called the elect. A quick search will show that “election” is a Catholic concept. Predestination is also a Catholic concept.

kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/search.cfm

http://www.kofc.org/un/images/1px_t...ttp://www.kofc.org/images/1px_transparent.gifThe Catechism of the Catholic Church

762 The remote preparation for this gathering together of the People of God begins when he calls Abraham and promises that he will become the father of a great people. 157 Its immediate preparation begins with Israel’s election as the People of God. By this election, Israel is to be the sign of the future gathering of All nations. 158 But the prophets accuse Israel of breaking the covenant and behaving like a prostitute. They announce a new and eternal covenant. “Christ instituted this New Covenant.” 159

1081 The divine blessings were made manifest in astonishing and saving events: the birth of Isaac, the escape from Egypt (Passover and Exodus), the gift of the promised land, the election of David, the presence of God in the Temple, the purifying exile, and return of a “small remnant.” The Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, interwoven in the liturgy of the Chosen People, recall these divine blessings and at the same time respond to them with blessings of praise and thanksgiving.

1308 Although Confirmation is sometimes called the “sacrament of Christian maturity,” we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need “ratification” to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this:Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of Wisdom says: "For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years. "Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood. 126
2600 The Gospel according to St. Luke emphasizes the action of the Holy Spirit and the meaning of prayer in Christ’s ministry. Jesus prays before the decisive moments of his mission: before his Father’s witness to him during his baptism and Transfiguration, and before his own fulfillment of the Father’s plan of love by his Passion. 43 He also prays before the decisive moments involving the mission of his apostles: at his election and call of the Twelve, before Peter’s confession of him as “the Christ of God,” and again that the faith of the chief of the Apostles may not fail when tempted. 44 Jesus’ prayer before the events of salvation that the Father has asked him to fulfill is a humble and trusting commitment of his human will to the loving will of the Father.
http://www.kofc.org/images/1px_transparent.gif
Click to expand...
It is a biblical concept FIRST AND FOREMOST
 
Back to the question please…can you know and what is the condition?
 
cmancone, you have answered the question as one would expect a protestant to answer it. But that is not Catholic teaching, nor is your understanding of Catholic teaching correct.

We believe that man’s free will plays a huge part in whether or not he is “saved” on the Last Day.

St.Paul says we must “work out our salvation” until the end. That means we could actually “lose” our salvation.

Protestants believe “once saved, always saved.” Catholics do not buy into this deception.

Nor do we believe we must “perform works” to make it to heaven.

However, the Bible and Catholic doctrine are very explicit that we must co-operate with grace by choosing to follow Christ.

That is not a One Time choice, that is a daily choice, and for some it is an hourly choice.

So lest you think you have “chosen to follow Christ” and now you can rest on your laurels – well, I believe it is this type of person who will be the most surprised on Judgement Day.
 
OneForTruth said:
Again - nobody has answered my question - does the CC teach that one can know that they are of the elect and what is the condition? Search it out. 🙂
Click to expand...
They have answered your question. They state they cannot know for sure.

You seem to be wanting to proselytize, against Forum rules.
 
Truthstalker said:
They have answered your question. They state they cannot know for sure.

You seem to be wanting to proselytize, against Forum rules.
Click to expand...
WOW - I am not sure where you are getting that accusation from. Regardless, I believe that I have seen it said somewhere in CC documents that one can know by revelation from God (or that is the only way that they might know). Is this the case?
 
When my son was just a little boy he asked me, “Mom, will I go to heaven”? I said, “Joe, if you love God and keep his commandments, then yes, you most likely will go to heaven.”

He looked all worried and said, “But Mom, I don’t want to go to heaven - I want to be with you!”
 
Biblioassistant said:
When my son was just a little boy he asked me, “Mom, will I go to heaven”? I said, “Joe, if you love God and keep his commandments, then yes, you most likely will go to heaven.”

He looked all worried and said, “But Mom, I don’t want to go to heaven - I want to be with you!”
Click to expand...
You are wrong in your answer to the little boy…no one will be justified by the law. This is impossible.
 
cmancone said:
This is really one of my biggest issues with Catholic teachings. The way you describe things makes it sound like it is your works that get you into heaven. You are going to heaven because YOU did your best to remain in a state of grace, because YOU made use of the sacraments. We do not go to heaven because of anything we do, but only because of the grace and mercy of God…That is why there will be many people who said “Lord Lord” but have no place with Jesus in heaven, because they claimed to follow him but trusted in themselves to earn a way to heaven.
Click to expand...
There is no problem with Catholic Teaching, but with your perception thereof. Nowhere in Catholic Dogma or teaching can you find that one can work his/her way into heaven, nowhere!!! You have been taught that by other folks, but just because they told you that doesn’t make it true.

This issue is one of the most hashed ones on CAF, and you clearly should know Catholic Church Teaching by now. The term “Faith Alone” only appears in the Bible one time, and that is in James Chapter Two. (Especially see verse 20.) Neither faith alone or works alone will get anyone to heaven!

Peace & Joy
 
40.png
OneForTruth:
You are wrong in your answer to the little boy…no one will be justified by the law. This is impossible.
Click to expand...
If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and case him into the fire, and be burneth…
…As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. 10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father’s commandments, and do abide in his love.
 
OneForTruth said:
WOW - I am not sure where you are getting that accusation from. Regardless, I believe that I have seen it said somewhere in CC documents that one can know by revelation from God (or that is the only way that they might know). Is this the case?
Click to expand...
I think the thread title suggests it. If you had titled it “How do Catholics know they are elect?” it would have eliminated the suspicion.

Somewhere I read something along the lines that they can know they are elect by special revelation. They regard assurance as presumption. I don’t know what they do with
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall;
Click to expand...
Seems to me we may be called to do something they say is impossible, and that is to be sure we are saved.
 
Biblioassistant said:
When my son was just a little boy he asked me, “Mom, will I go to heaven”? I said, “Joe, if you love God and keep his commandments, then yes, you most likely will go to heaven.”

He looked all worried and said, “But Mom, I don’t want to go to heaven - I want to be with you!”
Click to expand...
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

This type of question always reminds me of Bishop Fulton Sheen’s response to an audience member.

One day he was asked, “HOW do you know that Jonah spent three days in the belly of a whale?”

The Bishop said, “Well, I don’t, but when I get to heaven, I will ask him!”

The man said, “Well, what if he’s not in heaven?”

The Bishop replied, “Well, then you ask him!”
 
Truthstalker said:
" 2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; "

Seems to me we may be called to do something they say is impossible, and that is to be sure we are saved.
Click to expand...
Can you fall if you are elect? …:ouch:
 
I_Leatherman said:
Can you fall if you are elect? …:ouch:
Click to expand...
Yee-haw.

Were all those who are now in heaven ever in danger of not making it to heaven, or were they predestined to make it there, and God gave them the grace to make it, carried them through, and they now look back and say that it was all God’s work, not their own?

Many are called, few are chosen. God desires all to be saved, but not all are. How do you define “elect”?
 
Truthstalker said:
Yee-haw.

Were all those who are now in heaven ever in danger of not making it to heaven, or were they predestined to make it there, and God gave them the grace to make it, carried them through, and they now look back and say that it was all God’s work, not their own?

Many are called, few are chosen. God desires all to be saved, but not all are. How do you define “elect”?
Click to expand...
So you don’t know?..😃
 
I_Leatherman said:
So you don’t know?..😃
Click to expand...
I know Whom I believe. For me, knowing Him is enough. For me, He transcends and subsumes every other fact or theory and is the center and the sustainer of reality. Outside of Him there is no hope and no help. Redeemer, creator, shield of salvation, author and perfector of salvation, mighty fortress, deliverer, sustainer, intercessor, judge, mediator…it is all there in Christ, and Christ is all. For me He swallows up all theology and experience and every other thing. He is trustworthy, I know I am saved by grace, not by works, I am being saved by the same, and I will be saved by the same. I don’t know if I can lose my salvation. I don’t intend to find out the hard way. I know I can’t save myself. Eyes on Christ, my sacrifice, not on me, slavery.

But that’s me. Here we are discussing Catholic theology.
 
Well thats it you said, eyes on…, or else :ouch:

But perhaps others know better…
 
Catholics have a Rite of Election for converts coming into the Catholic Church.

Catholics have always believed in the Elect.

Catholics point out though that only God knows who they are!

That’s why when St. Paul; tells us to “Work out our salvation with fear and trembling” he is being what he truely is–Totally Catholic and anti-Protestant!
 
OneForTruth said:
WOW - I am not sure where you are getting that accusation from. Regardless, I believe that I have seen it said somewhere in CC documents that one can know by revelation from God (or that is the only way that they might know). Is this the case?
Click to expand...
Hello OneForTruth,

I think you are correct. Catholic teaching is that we cannot know for certain - the one exception being a personal revelation by God.

Like you, I can’t recall where I read it. Will see if I can locate it.

Nita
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top