Most Catholics saved?

[j1s2a3]

James 2:14,24 "What shall it profit, my breathen, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works?Shall faith be able to save him?.. Do you see that by works a man is justified; and NOT by faith only? Also 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now there remain faith,hope and CHARITY (WORKS),these three; but the greatest of these is charity”…all charity means is love …acts of love and we Catholics do not think this is some reward or our own bargian with God BUT its the vary essence of GRACE.

 

[kam1953f]

I always figured that if faith alone is what saved us, it made no sense that Jesus spent a lot more time talking about what we should believe than how we should behave.

 

[scaron]

Well, I think the key may lie in the difference between the words “Belief” and “Faith”. I think (and when I speak to *Sola Fides *Protestants I get the impression) that they often speak much more of belief than faith. Certainly they use the word “Faith” - but they say things like, “I came to believe and accept Jesus on 4/23/02 at 2:35pm in the afternoon, and now I am Saved”. Sola Fides often sounds like belief to my ears.

Faith, on the other had, is not belief (or not just belief). The Devil, for instance, believes 100% in the existence of God. No question about it. But that belief does not impel him to act as God would have him act. Thus we say that he has belief, but not Faith.

Faith, to be real, and to grow, requires active measures. (Those who are interested should hop over to the “Parable” thread where we are discussing this very concept).

Those who have Faith must constantly strive to increase this faith, or lose it. “Constant striving to increase faith” is IMO a pretty good definition of “works”.

Lastly, Our Lord says “strive to enter by the narrow way. For the road to hell is wide and straight, and many take it.”

What is the narrow way? Jesus, of course! He says, “I am the sheepfold gate”.

How do we enter the narrow way? Thru Faith! Faith is the “flashlight” that shows us the narrow way. That lets us enter thru Him.

 

[BRB]

(Emphasis added.)

**True, very true.

There seems to be in scripture two conflicting ideas. On the one hand, we see, “Strive** to enter…” and “work out your own salvation…” both of which seem to speak of a great deal of effort that needs to be put forth to reach heaven. And the numbers are given by Jesus Himself… “many” who are on the broad road that leads to destruction, and “few” on the narrow way that leads to life.

Then, on the other hand, there is the other idea that eternal life and being saved is the gift of God, something He gives and we receive, free and without any effort on our part other than to simply accept it by faith (repenting of our sins and believing Jesus paid for them all at Calvary and rose again).

Perhaps we can reconcile the two in this way. We must initially receive His gift of salvation as such, without anything being added of our own works or efforts, so that it is ALL of Him and not of ourselves, lest we be adding to His work of redemption and thereby rejecting it as insufficient to pay for our sins. Simple repentance and faith, nothing more. But thereafter, after receiving eternal life, which is to say, the life of God into our souls, we must allow Him to work in us, “working in you what is well pleasing in His sight” (Heb. 13:21; Phil. 2:13). That requires effort, namely, yielding completely to Him and fighting the world, the flesh, and the devil, so that His will (and work) will be done in our lives, and not our will (our flesh, etc.) be done.

That gives all the glory to God in accomplishing our salvation and, in effect, putting us on the right road that leads to (and gives us) life, and yet shows us our own responsibility in allowing Him to have complete control of our lives so that we live a life pleasing to Him.

What do you think?

I think you have had your Eureka moment with your Lord … and then taken up the Cross for bearing fruits (good works) in power of H.S.

Christianity has a two part message for us … both are required.

Amazing how many people see step 1, but either don’t see or over time neglect step 2.

A partial faith (step 1) has been termed “Cultural Christianity”. The best book which explains this is REAL CHRISTIANITY by William Wilberforce … published 2007

Most amazing book ever written … short of Bible itself.

 

[BRB]

**

So, it is extremely important to distinguish what we get by faith (=His free gift of eternal life) and what we get by our service for Him, i.e., for “fighting for the King” (=rewards in heaven). We don’t get to heaven as a reward for serving Him, or it would not be a gift** purchased for us at Calvary, but dependent on something we do. Consider all that those people did who, at the judgment, pleaded those things to no avail:

Matthew 7:
22. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23. Then I will declare to them solemnly, I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers."

.

Phil … you seem to be backtracking on what you said in first comments.

Our good works don’t get us to Christ. [as verse 22 above shows us] … Salvation is by faith, not of works lest any man boast … words of Paul. This is Step 1.

We must enter thru the narrow Gate … Christ. But, once we know [are known by Christ] … thats when the ‘rubber meets the narrow road’. Now, Christ teaches that anyone who Turns Back is damned. Weaping and Nashing of Teeth is our end.

The ‘narrow road’ necessitates we remain True Believers in this life. If we are true believers …our lives will bear good works [fruit of H.S.] Ref: Parable of talents, James teaching on : “Faith w/o works is dead” … addressed to disciples, not to unbelievers.

Step 1. … Christ is the narrow Gate
Step 2. … Christ & H.S. … keep us on the Narrow Road

Only a 2 step believer is the True Believer … per Gospel teaching. Christ was constantly warning us to stay the course, not to turn back like Judas.

 

[Static]

Phil,
I’m guessing that you are using Mt 7:22f to try and show that good works have nothing to do with ones salvation. You are mixing up gifts with works. Jesus is not comdemning good works in these verses. Getting a better context, read verses 15-20. Just because you have a gift of prophesy or healing doesn’t mean you are saved. Look at Caiaphas ( Jn 20 ) or even Judas as someone mentioned. Judas cast out demons just like the rest of the disciples. These people had no good works. That is the whole point, faith without works will not save you. These people are to use their gifts to benefit others not themselves. As I stated earlier in vs. 21, that by belief alone one will not gain entrance into heaven. If you use these verses the way that you do, you have to dismiss an aweful lot of scripture that states otherwise.

An example if belief alone is all one needs: If belief is all you need then why did not Jesus state such to Nicodemus. Nicodemus was there when Jesus performed the many signs that He did that people believed in His name ( your belief on how one is saved ) Nicodemus approached Jesus ( who is the Light ) in the dark.
( the dark represents us ) Now , why was Nicodemus ( us ) still in the dark if he already believed in Jesus name ? Jesus shouldn’t of had to tell Nicodemus that he had to be born from above
( baptized, Jn 3:5 ) if Nicodemus belief in His name was all that is required for ones salvation.

May God Bless, Static ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[Static]

Phil,

Let’s step it up a notch and tell me if one is still saved. This is your illustration with a few changes made. If no type of good works have anything to do with salvation , then bad works should not have anything to do with one losing their salvation either, right ?
Let me give an illustration. I was speaking with a lady who had tremendous guilt because she couldn’t quit the act of adultery. She actually thought she would not go to heaven because she comitted adultery. I tried to assure her that, though not comitting adultery would be good for her physical health and for her Christian testimony, no one is excluded from heaven because they commit adultery. I told her if stopping this would get her into heaven, then she has two saviors—Jesus died for her sins and rose again PLUS she stopped committing adultery. So, if she is truly trusting in Jesus 100% to save her, she’s saved, whether she commits adultery or not. If she has received His gift of salvation, she is saved. Period.

 

[Static]

Phil said :

I don’t think that is the problem. The problem is that people think they need to add to Christ’s perfect Work of redemption their own works, of whatever sort those works are
…

They are not our own works and we are not adding to the finished work of Christ. As the scripture states, these are the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. What happens if we don’t live in them ? Say, if we don’t keep the Ten Commandments ( good works ) are we still going to heaven ?

May God Bless, Static ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[Static]

Phil,

Context is very important.

You quoted Jn 6:47 as belief is all that is needed for eternal life. How about verse 54 ? Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. As Catholics, we believe we have to do this, do you ? I would have to say that your answer would be no, because you have stated that belief + nothing = eternal life.

May God Bless, Static ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[Static]

Have to ask.

If I were to read Rom 8:24 and interpret it the way that many do on the verses that supposedly prove that belief alone is all that is needed for eternal life, could I say that I am saved by hope alone in view of this verse ?

May God Bless, Static ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[Phil12123]

Well, I think the key may lie in the difference between the words “Belief” and “Faith”. I think (and when I speak to ***Sola Fides ***Protestants I get the impression) that they often speak much more of belief than faith. Certainly they use the word “Faith” - but they say things like, “I came to believe and accept Jesus on 4/23/02 at 2:35pm in the afternoon, and now I am Saved”. Sola Fides often sounds like belief to my ears.

Faith, on the other had, is not belief (or not just belief). The Devil, for instance, believes 100% in the existence of God. No question about it. But that belief does not impel him to act as God would have him act. Thus we say that he has belief, but not Faith.

**The “belief” that the Devil has is not “faith” because it is more in the nature of simply *knowing about *God, His existence, etc. That kind of “belief” or “faith” won’t save anyone, including him. True belief or faith is really all about *trusting in *the object of your belief or faith. If you are trusting in your own works to get you to heaven, rather than 100% in His Work of redemption at Calvary, you will never enter heaven, except to appear at the Judgment and then be cast into the lake of fire. Don’t try to morph true faith into your own works. That is a deception from the devil himself, to get you to go where he is going. True faith is trusting 100% in what Christ already did for you at Calvary, paying for all your sins. If you think you can do anything, any works, to get any of your sins paid for (here or later in purgatory), you are sadly mistaken, and will instead end up paying for ALL of them in hell for all eternity.

 

[Static]

If you think you can do anything, any works, to get any of your sins paid for (here or later in purgatory), you are sadly mistaken, and will instead end up paying for ALL of them in hell for all eternity.
…

We were bought at a price. I really don’t like the word paid. Are you using this word to mean that there is no punishment for our sins, that Jesus fulfilled the punishment do for our sins ? Then, there is no such place as Hell. If the punishment for our sins is Hell & Jesus took our place, where is He now if he took our punishment too ?

My brothers, if anyone strays from the truth & someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death & will cover a multitude of sins.

Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.

May God Bless, Static ( ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[v3orb]

When Jesus comes in His full glory, can we doubt that there will be more than a handful who will reject His embrace and feel no pain for their sins?

 

[BRB]

Let me give an illustration. I was speaking with a lady who had tremendous guilt because she couldn’t quit the act of adultery. She actually thought she would not go to heaven because she comitted adultery. I tried to assure her that, though not comitting adultery would be good for her physical health and for her Christian testimony, no one is excluded from heaven because they commit adultery. I told her if stopping this would get her into heaven, then she has two saviors—Jesus died for her sins and rose again PLUS she stopped committing adultery. So, if she is truly trusting in Jesus 100% to save her, she’s saved, whether she commits adultery or not. If she has received His gift of salvation, she is saved. Period.

The Samaritan woman @ well was on her way to having husband # 5. She was a habitual adulteress. So were the men who enjoyed her company.

Then again … Chirst taught to even entertain sexual thoughts about a woman/man … was tantamount to commiting adultery/fornication in the heart.

By this standard, who of us has not broken the great commandment many times before our salvation, and on some occasions since our rebirths.

Clearly the # of offenses PRIOR to ones salvation is not the question. God will forgive us 70 X 7 offenses ( unlimited # … so to speak).

But, once one comes to the Lord as His disciple, and receives spiritual healing … Christ taught us to “Go and sin no more”. To ‘take up our Cross and follow in Holiness’. To keep our hearts and thoughts pure.

One become a member of God’s flock. Jesus as the Good Shepherd, works tirelessly on our behalf [via H.S.] to keep us as True Believers, in good standing within His Church. I’d guess at some point most believers stray back to the world. Clearly satan can test Christians … and we often fall for his tricks.

Do we quickly repent and return to Christ … our decide we would rather return to our sinfull, sexual past & reign in Hell with an alternative master ? That would seem to be the warning we hear so often from Christ and the early Apostles in the Sacred Scriptures.

The Christian who continues in sin, will grieve the H.S. to the point God’s presence within is no longer your counselor. You are now listening to another master 24 - 7. That is when one is in grave danger of the ‘death’ Christ talks of.

 

[BRB]

The Samaritan woman @ well was on her way to having husband # 5. She was a habitual adulteress. So were the men who enjoyed her company.

Then again … Christ taught to even entertain sexual thoughts about a woman/man … was tantamount to commiting adultery/fornication in the heart.

By this standard, who of us has not broken the great commandment many times before our salvation, and on some occasions since our rebirths.

Clearly the # of offenses PRIOR to ones salvation is not the question. God will forgive us 70 X 7 offenses ( unlimited # … so to speak).

But, once one comes to the Lord as His disciple, and receives spiritual healing … Christ taught us to “Go and sin no more”. To ‘take up our Cross and follow in Holiness’. To keep our hearts and thoughts pure.

One become a member of God’s flock. Jesus as the Good Shepherd, works tirelessly on our behalf [via H.S.] to keep us as True Believers, in good standing within His Church. I’d guess at some point most believers stray back to the world. Clearly satan can test Christians … and we often fall for his tricks.

Do we quickly repent and return to Christ … our decide we would rather return to our sinfull, sexual past & reign in Hell with an alternative master ? That would seem to be the warning we hear so often from Christ and the early Apostles in the Sacred Scriptures.

The Christian who continues in sin, will grieve the H.S. to the point God’s presence within is no longer your counselor. You are now listening to another master 24 - 7. That is when one is in grave danger of the ‘death’ Christ talks of.

 

[Phil12123]

me: If you think you can do anything, any works, to get any of your sins paid for (here or later in purgatory), you are sadly mistaken, and will instead end up paying for ALL of them in hell for all eternity.

We were bought at a price. I really don’t like the word paid. Are you using this word to mean that there is no punishment for our sins, that Jesus fulfilled the punishment due for our sins ? Then, there is no such place as Hell. If the punishment for our sins is Hell & Jesus took our place, where is He now if he took our punishment too ?

Yes, we were bought at a price. Who bought us and what was the price? Jesus bought us and the price He paid for our redemption was His “precious blood…as of a spotless unblemished lamb” (1 Pet. 1:19). He entered the heavenly sanctuary “not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12). His blood was offered “once for all…to take away sin by his sacrifice” (v. 26), and by that one offering, “he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated” (10:14).

But we also see how His sacrifice was a payment for our sins, fulfilling Isaiah 53:

4. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.
5. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins,
Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.
6. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.
7. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.
8. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people,
9. A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.
10. [But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.] If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
11. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.
12. Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.

**Peter summarizes the above with this verse:
**
1 Pet. 3:18 — For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.

Or, as Peter said earlier in his letter,

1 Pet. 2:21 — For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
22. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
24. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

So He suffered for our sins. Is He not thereby paying for them, taking our punishment, dying in our place, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God?

 

[BRB]

me: If you think you can do anything, any works, to get any of your sins paid for (here or later in purgatory), you are sadly mistaken, and will instead end up paying for ALL of them in hell for all eternity.

Yes, we were bought at a price. Who bought us and what was the price? Jesus bought us and the price He paid for our redemption was His “precious blood…as of a spotless unblemished lamb” (1 Pet. 1:19). He entered the heavenly sanctuary “not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12). His blood was offered “once for all…to take away sin by his sacrifice” (v. 26), and by that one offering, “he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated” (10:14).

But we also see how His sacrifice was a payment for our sins, fulfilling Isaiah 53:

4. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.
5. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins,
Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.
6. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.
7. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.
8. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people,
9. A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.
10. [But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.] If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
11. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.
12. Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.

**Peter summarizes the above with this verse:
**
1 Pet. 3:18 — For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.

Or, as Peter said earlier in his letter,

1 Pet. 2:21 — For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
22. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
24. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

So He suffered for our sins. Is He not thereby paying for them, taking our punishment, dying in our place, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God?

Phil …

You are presenting the classic Protestant apologetics — that applys to both Protestant and Catholic ‘Initial’ salvation. Very well covered by you.

Sadly, too often Protestants & Catholics] allow the salvation gospel to become their 'Once & forever ticket" to heaven. And soon return back to the world with little concern for bearing the cross and fruits of spirit. I bought into this hook, line, and sinker … for many years as Protestant. Was happy to just quote the ‘Once Saved Always Scriptures’ w/o seeing any compelling need to desire fruits/works that come after our salvation miracle.

Over time, we must face all the other scriptures that call for sacrifice / dedication to Christ and fellowman. The Catholic theology has opened my eyes to a more realistic interpretation of the other scriptures … those I used to read and have no good explanation for.

In completeness, give us the other scriptures by Apostles and Christ on this topic … with full explanation thereof.

 

[Static]

BRB in post #34…

First off, let me ask you this. When you quoted this passage from Jn 4:18 - The Samaritan woman @ well was on her way to having husband # 5. She was a habitual adulteress. So were the men who enjoyed her company.
…

Is this not refering to gods (5) - 2 Kgs 17:24-34, not actual physical husbands ?
///////////////////

Secondly, you are aware that this is not my original post, right ? I only redid it changing a smoking habit to adultery because of what OSAS believe, which is, there is nothing that one could do to lose their salvation because Jesus forgave them past,present,future sins at the cross. He knew that they were going to do this sin & he forgave them 2000 years ago so it doesn’t matter if they do it or not they have been forgiven & they don’t have to ask forgiveness for something that Jesus already forgave them for, if that makes any sense.

I guess I’m not making any sense to anyone if catholics are on my case about what I post, eh ? I don’t expect you to answer me because when I have tried to clear up any other misconceptions that other posters have had with me, I have not gotten a return response.

May God Bless, Static ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[Static]

Phil said :
So He suffered for our sins. Is He not thereby paying for them, taking our punishment, dying in our place, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God ?
////////////////////

Where is Jesus now ? Where should He be if He took our punishment away from us for good ? Why do we punish our children or the courts, criminals ? Don’t they understand what Jesus did for mankind that we don’t have to do what has already been taken care of ? Why would anyone have to go to hell if He did the punishment for the whole world ?

Phil,
You know I have tried to address whatever you have posted in my direction the best that I could for you to only dismiss everything and come up with some new scriptures pitting scripture against itself. Why ? Can you not comment on my answers to you first, then move on from there ? You are trying to use one verse from Mt 7 to state that anyone that does good works, Jesus will reject on that day. You asked what else could this verse mean but that. You failed to address any post relating the answer to you. To me, your interpretation of Mt 25 is that when it is all said and done, both the sheep and the goats go to heaven. You are stating that the judgement for both a works salvation ( non-believers ) and faith salvation ( believers ) is somehow two different judgements.

 I'm guessing that any verse that states that you will not enter the kingdom of heaven or that you have fallen from grace is written to non believers, not believers. Guess what ? If these were written to non believers. my question is, how can you fall from something you never had  ? The Bible is for written to christians. Let me try to address a few points that you made, because time is something I have very little of during the week. I am trying to discipline myself to only coming on here one day a week on the weekend and I am failing miserably at doing that. Please have patience if I don't respond to you in a timely manner. Okay, back to the few points.

//////////////////////////////

(v. 26), and by that one offering, “he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated” (10:14).
…

This is holiness in the present tense, not past. I’m sure you believe that sanctification is a process.
…
I won’t repeat all the verses that have to do with suffering, but as christians ( little Christ’s or Christlike ) are you saying that we don’t have to suffer because Jesus did all the suffering there was to do for us ?

To quote a few, Phil 1:29 - For you it has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.

Rom 8:17 - …and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Acts 9 :16 - …and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.
////////////////////

Your reference to Is 53:7 also refers to us in Rom 8:36
/////////////////
1 Pet. 2:21 — For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.

Notice, quoting this verse, we have to follow in His footsteps.
/////////////////////////////
1 Pet 2:24. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

He offered up our sin. Where does it say that he did the just punishment due for all our sin ?
////////////////////////////////////////
Your question to me again.

So He suffered for our sins. Is He not thereby paying for them, taking our punishment, dying in our place, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God ?

Maybe you can answer your own question now.
///////////////////////////////
Just a few more points and I gotta bolt, because I work at night and have to leave for work in less than six hours, sorry.

Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another. Jn 15:13

Are we called to do likewise ? 1 Jn 3:16 says, yes !
//////////////////
Lk 9:23 - If anyone wishes to follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Please read 2 Pet 2: 20f. OSAS ?

May God Bless, Static, ( 1 Tim 1:15 )

 

[graceandglory]

The Christian who continues in sin, will grieve the H.S. to the point God’s presence within is no longer your counselor. You are now listening to another master 24 - 7. That is when one is in grave danger of the ‘death’ Christ talks of.

That would be one of the benefits of a Sacramental life. We begin our Christian life with baptism. But that isn’t the end. And we are still in need of God’s grace that come to us through the sacraments. We avail ourselves of confession, to confess our sins, and receive forgiveness from God, as well as receive sanctifying graces to go and sin no more. We receive the Eucharist, which also comes with sanctifying or (holy-fying) grace for the Christian. All of our sacraments administer sanctifying grace, without which, would be a very sorry state indeed.

We are not lone ranger Christians here.