=andyklein;9798707]I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but since I am only in the beginning stages of my conversion, I will put it here. I am not even sure if the assumptions I make in this question are accurate.
I am aware that I was saved from my sins because Jesus died on the cross, but that I also should make great efforts to avoid sinning. I still sin constantly, and my relationship with Him is severed. Then I can regain His trust by receiving Him in the sacraments.
My question is really: if my sins are absolved and I am in union with Christ when I am able to receive the sacraments, why is it important for me to try to avoid sinning when it is in my nature as a human being to sin?
How then can my faith help me avoid acting on my temptations?
Hi Andy, GREAT QUESTION
The answer is profound. You have been GREATLY misinformed. Christ sacrificial Death and Resurrection resulted in “Redemption for humanity” BUT NOT by its self anyone’s salvation. Space prohibits a complete with evidence reply on the FORUM. The shocking truth is that Christ death on the cross did not and does not remit anyone’s sins.
Redemption means that Everyone, past. Present and future now has an opportunity to enter into God’s Glory. The Original Sin of Adam and Eve had blocked heaven’s access for all humanity; and this was a Primary, but not the only reason for Christ Incarnation, Passion and death.
So heaven is NOW and forever open to humanity that accepts God call; GODS WAY, for our individual salvation. Salvation ids is By God’s Choice and Commands; a PROCESS of multiple steps.
Grace needed for Faith is ONLY the beginning. Baptism Jn. 3:5, Obedience to the Commandments Mt. 19:17, Obedience to the Catholic Church Mt. 16:18-19, Mt. 28:16-20, John 20:19-23, works of Charity James 2 are other critical elements with very Solid Biblical foundation.
Your issue stems around the Forgiveness of sins, and under the new Covenant there is ONLY One Normal and acceptable way for that to happen and it’s through the CC Sacrament of Confession. Mt. 16;19-20, Mt. 16: 17-20, 1st. Jn.1:8-10, 1st. Jn. 5;16-17 and John 20: 21-23.
It has to do with the critically significant differences in forgiveness of sins in the OT and the ONLY acceptable manner according to Our God, for the Forgiveness of sins in the NT; under the New Covenant. Its interesting that God is “constant and does not change” (Malachi) 3:6. God CHOOSE to use priest in the OT forgiveness of sins and intermediaries: Ezek. 18:21-28, Lev. 5:13, Lev. 6:7 and Lev. 4:20,26 and 31. But now under grace Rom. 6:14 “For sin shall not [MEANS OUGHT NOT] have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace.”
Mark 14:24 “And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many” Heb.8: 8, 13 ” For he finds fault with them when he says: "The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is [NOW HAS] ready to vanish away.”
Andy, the TRUTH is your NOT YET saved from your sins [nor or other non-Catholics].
It IS THROUGH the sacraments that One is able to actually and fully be reconciled with Christ. The process of RCIA will explain this further. But e-mail me if you’d further discussion.
Jn. 20:19-23 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Heb.8: 8, 13 ” For he finds fault with them when he says: "The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”
The Catholic Faith AIDS FAR more than any other; even all other faiths combined in that the Seven Sacraments are a source of GRACE needed to AVOID sins and ONLY the CC has all Seven Sacramnets validly and licitly [thus able to supply the fullness of grace God’s intends to make available to Catholics alone. Notably Confession and the Most Holy Eucharist: jesus Himself:thumbsup]
God Bless my Friend,
Pat /PJM here on the Forum
