If justification is unmerited, how can it be lost?

[Celeste_K]

I recently got into a debate with a protestant friend about the church’s teachings on faith, works, and justification/salvation. I told him that the church teaches that justification is the unmerited gift of grace, and that all good works are a result of that grace. He responded by saying that if justification is unmerited, it can never be lost. How should I respond?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

If someone gives you a gift, whether you deserve it or not will not necessarily affect your freedom to reject it. This is the way it is with gifts.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.