"I am in a state of grace" or "I am in the right relationship with God"

[mpjw2]

Hi all,

if I heard a catholic tell me any one of the following two statements,

what exactly are they telling me?

what is the meaning and/or belief behind making such a statement about oneself?

**“I am in a state of grace” **

or

** “I am in the right relationship with God”**

before I make false assumptions, I appreciate any help you can offer

thank you

God bless

mpjw

 

[twopekinguys]

Hi all,

if I heard a catholic tell me any one of the following two statements,

what exactly are they telling me?

what is the meaning and/or belief behind making such a statement about oneself?

**“I am in a state of grace” **

or

** “I am in the right relationship with God”**

before I make false assumptions, I appreciate any help you can offer

thank you

God bless

mpjw

I have never heard a Catholic say either of the things you have mentioned here. Especially the second one.

Most, if not all Catholics realize, and freely admit we are sinners. Because we are sinners, we won’t say we are “in the right relationship with God”. Because we always fail on our end.

Now, if you are talking about being in a state of grace before receiving communion. Here is a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”

Is that what you are looking for?

 

[LilyM]

I have never heard a Catholic say either of the things you have mentioned here. Especially the second one.

Most, if not all Catholics realize, and freely admit we are sinners. Because we are sinners, we won’t say we are “in the right relationship with God”. Because we always fail on our end.

Now, if you are talking about being in a state of grace before receiving communion. Here is a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”

Is that what you are looking for?

Well, we may not say these things in words, but by the very act of going up to receive Communion we loudly proclaim that we are indeed in the state of grace.

What does it mean to be ‘in a state of grace’? As pointed out above, simply that we are not aware of having any unconfessed mortal (serious) sin on our consciences. It is not a declaration of utter sinlessness, of course - nowhere near.

I’ve actually never heard, as far as I can recall, a Catholic use the expression ‘a right relationship with God’ - possibly because any relationship we have with Him at all is entirely due to His grace and His mercy in condescending to come near to us, whereas a ‘right relationship’ kinda implies that there are two equal parties, either of whom might be in the wrong at any given time.

 

[twopekinguys]

Well, we may not say these things in words, but by the very act of going up to receive Communion we loudly proclaim that we are indeed in the state of grace.

What does it mean to be ‘in a state of grace’? As pointed out above, simply that we are not aware of having any unconfessed mortal (serious) sin on our consciences. It is not a declaration of utter sinlessness, of course - nowhere near.

I’ve actually never heard, as far as I can recall, a Catholic use the expression ‘a right relationship with God’ - possibly because any relationship we have with Him at all is entirely due to His grace and His mercy in condescending to come near to us, whereas a ‘right relationship’ kinda implies that there are two equal parties, either of whom might be in the wrong at any given time.

For the most part, we agree.

However, being a relatively shy individual, I wouldn’t consider going forward to receive communion as “loudly” proclaiming. But I see what you are saying.

I look at it a little more humbly. Every time I say “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” reminds me of how I have failed in that relationship.

 

[MelanieAnne]

“Right relationship with God” sounds like a Protestant thing. Ditto “get right with God” which seems pretty similar.

We are required to confess and obtain absolution (from Jesus, via the Priest who officiates) for mortal (serious) sin ~ those sins that involve the 10 commandments. Less serious sin is dealt with at the very beginning of Mass. We make a general confession.

Catholics know that they should not receive the Eucharist if they are not in a “state of Grace” (that is, if serious (mortal) sin has not been resolved.

If “right relationship with God” is the same as “state of Grace” then Catholics accept the Eucharist only when they have a “right relationship with God”, but we would never describe it that way. For Catholics, you are either in a “state of Grace” or you are not.

 

[mpjw2]

Hi twopekinguys and LilyM

I appreciate you response

the reason I started the thread is to try to find a better way to commmunicate better with catholics.

there are lot of misunderstandings when it comes to certain issues between catholic christians and non catholic christians.

being in a state of grace or in the right relationship with God was made referenced to in another thread…

from you answers

I have never heard a Catholic say either of the things you have mentioned here

I’ve actually never heard, as far as I can recall, a Catholic use the expression ‘a right relationship with God’

hmmm…interesting

I am beginning to wonder then about your thoughts about what Robert said and whether you agree or disagree

here is the post if you want to read it
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=6646104&postcount=941

thank you and God bless

mpjw

 

[twopekinguys]

Hi twopekinguys and LilyM

I appreciate you response

the reason I started the thread is to try to find a better way to commmunicate better with catholics.

there are lot of misunderstandings when it comes to certain issues between catholic christians and non catholic christians.

being in a state of grace or in the right relationship with God was made referenced to in another thread…

from you answers

hmmm…interesting

I am beginning to wonder then about your thoughts about what Robert said and whether you agree or disagree

here is the post if you want to read it
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=6646104&postcount=941

thank you and God bless

mpjw

I am reluctant to remark on what you posted since it is only one post of the thread. Also, the way you responded back to Robert’s post makes it impossible to link back to what was actually said.

The post you showed was #941, so it would take alot of reading to see how the conversation got to where it is.

I hope you understand.

 

[twopekinguys]

Ok, I just found the post of Robert’s that you were responding to. I have to say that I agree with everything that he said.

 

[mpjw2]

Ok, I just found the post of Robert’s that you were responding to. I have to say that I agree with everything that he said.

thank you twopekinguys;

would you agree to the question I asked…

So…If I were to hear you say…

“I am in a state of grace and I am in the right relationship with God”

tells me that you probably just went to confession and that should you die right now you will go to heaven …if not right away, you will go to purgatory first

thank you

God bless

mpjw

 

[twopekinguys]

thank you twopekinguys;

would you agree to the question I asked…

So…If I were to hear you say…

“I am in a state of grace and I am in the right relationship with God”

tells me that you probably just went to confession and that should you die right now you will go to heaven …if not right away, you will go to purgatory first

thank you

God bless

mpjw

I couldn’t give a definitive yes or no to that question. I could however say. “I hope and pray that I would”

I can only hope in God’s mercy when the time comes. Just because I think I’m in a state of grace doesn’t mean the good Lord would agree. After all, human interpretations can be wrong.

I remember my pastor telling the story of a missionary of some sort knocking on the rectory door. When he answered the door, this missionary asked him “Are you saved?” Father replied “I work on it everyday.”

I just hope God understands that I was working on it.

 

[mpjw2]

thank you twopekinguys

I saw your signature

Thank God for our veterans …God bless them for their service…and if you are a veteran, God bless you too and thank you for your service:thumbsup:

---

if you were to say…
“I am in a state of grace and I am in the right relationship with God”…

tells me that you probably just went to confession and that should you die right now you will go to heaven …if not right away, you will go to purgatory first

I couldn’t give a definitive yes or no to that question. I could however say. “I hope and pray that I would”

interesting you would say that…

I grew up catholic and quite frankly I probably would of given the same answer you just did.

I recall the days of going to confession, my priest absolving me, I say the prayers of penance …Our Father and Hail Mary…at the altar and then went on with whatever i was doing that day.

I never thought about the eternal effects of what I just did.

All I knew was in order to receive communion at mass I needed to go to confession

and from your comment and reference …

if you are talking about being in a state of grace before receiving communion. Here is a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion ***must be ***in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”

it is still true today.

By you saying…

I can only hope in God’s mercy when the time comes.

I can relate…I thought the same exact way and I am sure for all catholics.

it is the impression I get from reading the threads pertaining to confession and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Just because I think I’m in a state of grace doesn’t mean the good Lord would agree.

I hear you…it is what I thought too…but I do not anymore.

I do not know how old you are but it was not until I was 42 when I realized the power of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

God loves us and our sin does separate us from God.
That is why He sent us Jesus… so by our sincere confession He can forgive us our sin and be reconciled back to Him

and when that happpens…

our souls are in a state of grace at THAT MOMENT ONLYor until the next time we fall into sin

it is when we are in a state of grace that …
should we die at that moment, we will have eternal life in heaven.

that is the power of the sacrament of Reconciliation
I believe this with all my heart

imagine this…

you fell into sin, confessed it, repented the sin with a sincere contrite heart, said your penance

and after you said your prayer yyou heard a verbal voice from God…

“twopekinguys, I heard your confession. You are forgiven of all your sin except this one.
I will not forgive that sin at this time”

In all due respect, if God did not forgive you of a certain sin which you confessed with a sincere heart,
how do you believe you would feel?

there is a reason God sent Jesus to the cross. God does not deny forgiveness. All our sins are forgiven by the blood Jesus shed.

After all, human interpretations can be wrong.

yes they can, but God is never wrong…

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7

Trust God and His word, God will not let you down

I remember my pastor telling the story of a missionary of some sort knocking on the rectory door. When he answered the door, this missionary asked him “Are you saved?” Father replied “I work on it everyday.”

I just hope God understands that I was working on it.

"twopekinguys we are not perfect.

Because of our imperfections, we will fall (sin)
thank God for Jesus Christ and the Sacrament of reconciiliation

We all want and desire to do the will of God, love Him and our neighbor…
May God bless you for your heart

the truth of the matter is

no one on the face of this earth is good enough or can do enough to get to heaven.
The reason is no matter how good we are or how much we do…we will still spend eternity in hell if we do not confess and repent of our sin.

this article is a great read on reconciliation

Reconciliation: An Experience of Forgiveness
americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay0199.asp

thank you and God bless you

mpjw

 

[crazzeto]

I have never heard a Catholic say either of the things you have mentioned here. Especially the second one.

Most, if not all Catholics realize, and freely admit we are sinners. Because we are sinners, we won’t say we are “in the right relationship with God”. Because we always fail on our end.

Now, if you are talking about being in a state of grace before receiving communion. Here is a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”

Is that what you are looking for?

Statement #1 is not all that unusual, in fact it’s quite necessary in order to receive the blessed sacrament. If you are not in a state of grace, you may not receive per the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11:27: “27: Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord”.

In a state of grace means you have no grave sin on your contience, i.e. if you have commited such an act you have been to confession.

 

[twopekinguys]

Statement #1 is not all that unusual, in fact it’s quite necessary in order to receive the blessed sacrament. If you are not in a state of grace, you may not receive per the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11:27: “27: Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord”.

In a state of grace means you have no grave sin on your contience, i.e. if you have commited such an act you have been to confession.

I’m sorry, but I think you may be misunderstanding my post.

I fully understand the need/requirement for being in a state of grace in order to approach the Eucharist. That is why I quoted the CCC.

What I did say is I have never heard a Catholic make those statements. There is a difference.

Even though I may be in a state of grace, it isn’t something I state out loud.

I hope that clarifies.

 

[rinnie]

Hi all,

if I heard a catholic tell me any one of the following two statements,

what exactly are they telling me?

what is the meaning and/or belief behind making such a statement about oneself?

**“I am in a state of grace” **

or

** “I am in the right relationship with God”**

before I make false assumptions, I appreciate any help you can offer

thank you

God bless

mpjw

In order to be in a state of grace you cannot be in a state of sin. Its as simple of that.

As far as the other only you know if you are in the right relationship with God. No one can answer that for you.

I am in a state of Grace right after confession. I have confessed all of my sins, have been forgiven and I am sure I am in the right place with God. But once I sin I have once again separated myself with him. Then I must once again repent and confess my sin.

If its venial I do not need a Priest, if its Mortal I must have a Priest. But that is what a state of grace means you are at the moment free from sin. I would say being in a state of Grace for sure is in the right relationship with God.

 

[rinnie]

And to answer the thread my answer is yes.

IF you are a Catholic and you have just confessed all of your sins and have been given complete absolution and you walk out of that Church you have a very very good chance of entering heaven. You would have no mortal sin and according to the teachings of the Church if you die in the state of Gods grace you can enter heaven. Of course that is between you and God though. Only you and God know ones heart.

But if you indeed did a perfect confession its a good place to be. A place I pray I will be in near the end. Actually wish I could be there every second.

 

[twopekinguys]

thank you twopekinguys

I saw your signature

Thank God for our veterans …God bless them for their service…and if you are a veteran, God bless you too and thank you for your service:thumbsup:

---

mpjw

Yes, I’m a veteran. U.S. Air Force (air traffic control) for 6 wonderful years. Mostly in European facilities.

Thank you for the kind words.

 

[rinnie]

For the most part, we agree.

However, being a relatively shy individual, I wouldn’t consider going forward to receive communion as “loudly” proclaiming. But I see what you are saying.

I look at it a little more humbly. Every time I say “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” reminds me of how I have failed in that relationship.

I think we can all agree on that. I do not think any of us are worthy to receive him, but by his compassion and Mercy (thank Goodness) he makes us worthy to receive him. As our Mass says just say the word and we will be healed.

I know God understands us. And I thank God for that, that it is he that knows us the best and does the judging and we cannot be judged by one another.

 

[SonCatcher]

imagine this…

you fell into sin, confessed it, repented the sin with a sincere contrite heart, said your penance

and after you said your prayer you heard a verbal voice from God…

“twopekinguys, I heard your confession. You are forgiven of all your sin except this one.
I will not forgive that sin at this time”

Normally, the priest would be the one to determine this whether sins are truly forgiven.

Jn 20:22-23:
[Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

If the priest can discern that the sin is not repented of, even slightly, he can tell them they are not forgiven of that sin.

If the person makes a false confession (claiming to have repented when they indeed have not, or deliberately withholding sin they should have confessed) then they are not forgiven that sin and may be further guilty of making a false confession.

If you were truly penitent and did not withhold your sin, Reconciliation is absolute.

 

[Zooey]

Hi twopekinguys and LilyM

I appreciate you response

the reason I started the thread is to try to find a better way to commmunicate better with catholics.

there are lot of misunderstandings when it comes to certain issues between catholic christians and non catholic christians.

being in a state of grace or in the right relationship with God was made referenced to in another thread…

from you answers

hmmm…interesting

I am beginning to wonder then about your thoughts about what Robert said and whether you agree or disagree

here is the post if you want to read it
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=6646104&postcount=941

thank you and God bless

mpjw

Your Friendly Neighborhood Methodist here: What either of these phrases means is what a non-Catholic means by “being saved” or “Being born again”.
The semantics of Christian conversation can be very challenging at times; often someone either (A) uses the same words to mean a different thing, or (B) uses different words to mean the same thing.
This happens, by the bye, between various Protestant groups as well as between Catholics & Protestants; I am still pretty much:shrug: in the dark about a LOT of what I hear/read from Presbyterians…

 

[crazzeto]

Your Friendly Neighborhood Methodist here: What either of these phrases means is what a non-Catholic means by “being saved” or “Being born again”.
The semantics of Christian conversation can be very challenging at times; often someone either (A) uses the same words to mean a different thing, or (B) uses different words to mean the same thing.
This happens, by the bye, between various Protestant groups as well as between Catholics & Protestants; I am still pretty much:shrug: in the dark about a LOT of what I hear/read from Presbyterians…

Perhaps in some capacity, but not quite Zooey… I appreciate what you’re getting at, but certainly in my area “I’m saved” means something quite different than “I’m in a state of grace”.

Just look at the gramatic structure of both, “I’m saved” speaks of finality, I was saved, it happend, it’s a done deal.

As opposed to

I’m in a state of grace

That is my current state is one of grace, if I were to die this very second it’s very likely I would go to heaven. But notice, it says “I’m in a state of”, a state is a mode of being, modes of being are very much subject to change.

I’m in a state of grace now, but Lord knows how long it’s going to last. Hopefully I’ll remain in this mode for a very long time, God willing I will remain in this mode until I die. But there is no guarantee of this.

Now I do realize the contrast I draw might not feel 100% appropriate to all protestants everywhere, but I will say that it is most appropriate 1) for my geographic area and 2) for the types of protestants typically targeting Catholics.