Only by God’s Grace Alone, I begin to understand why Protestants feel this way. Guide me

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The last thread I started was about my realization and acceptance, full awareness of a Hell and a Devil. I talked about how I grieved for the sinner and prayed for greater discernment among the youth of today.

Now, after more contemplation, I’ve come to accept my life has not been perfect, I too have sinned. It’s been awhile since I sinned giving up porn at twenty-seven now being thirty-eight but I too have sinned in my youth. So, I too am a sinner. I am repentant and have confessed to a priest and I won’t commit a sin again, but again my past of sin is still there.

So, in various readings of Paul, which I now found more valuable as I am older, I know with total humility I can only Exeter the Kingdom of Heaven by God’s grace alone. Only through Faith May I be forgiven.

Now, I do pray the Rosary Daily and look forward to returning to Mass. But I’m aware there is little to no action on my part which may sway God. It is only through His grace and the Faith of this Church that I may be accepted into his Home.

So, Catholics, am I moving too far away from Catholicism at this point? Guide me.
 
What do you mean by, “but again my past of sin is still there?”
 
Sorry I’m not sinning and haven’t sinned since 27. But what I mean is that I can’t take back my history, my past, the fact I have sinned.

The character flaw is gone, gratefully, but that does not take away my past. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have committed those sins.

Again, I can take solace as Protestants do that we are all sinners or at least have committed some sin. I can look to scripture and The Christ’s own words, “I have come to call sinners not the righteous.”

But in the end I have to acknowledge that for myself and many it is only through God’s grace alone my I find a share in His inheritance.

Does that clarify things? So, someone guide me.
 
On the surface, it sounds like you’re trying very hard to take the words of beliefs that came about 1500 years AFTER Christ walked the earth to refute Christ’s actual words TO us when He DID walk the earth.
 
RepetantCatholic said:
… But what I mean is that I can’t take back my history, my past, the fact I have sinned. …
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Forgiveness is for the guilt of sin and reparation is for the damage done – therefore we do penance.

And we pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.
 
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Are you saying you haven’t committed a sin in 10 years? That makes no sense, frankly. “The just man falls seven times a day.” If I were you I’d get a good guide to the sacrament of Penance and do a thorough examination of conscience, then get to Confession.
 
It seems to me you’re on the right track. Do not dwell on the past, like St Augustine said: ‘every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future’.
 
Grace is not only about forgiveness of sin, but also about going, and sinning no more. We need God for it all; we’re lost without Him. So, with the help of grace, we’re expected to make some progress here-we’re not antinomian, anti-law. Faith doesn’t excuse us from the obligation to be righteous; it just means that God is patient in accomplishing righteousness in us. We must turn to Him first of all, and then cooperate with Him in doing a work in us. We “invest” the grace we’re given, like the servant investing his talents and returning an increase to His Master. He doesn’t demand absolute perfection, but He expects us to at least be on that path, and get back on if we stray at some time or another.
 
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Well, I won’t go into detail but I was diagnosed with an inheritable illness at 23 which probably started in my teens. So, while I worked until thirty I have primarily been isolated. I have confessed to a priest all that I have done, but really these last eleven years have been golden years.

I guess I have sinned but, nothing really major. Nothing that I can really think of, because I’ve been primarily isolated. Again, probably not ideal but I do have a disability.
 
Thank you everyone for replying. There have been many helpful points. But, again, I don’t take a Calvinist turn and believe I’m part of an elect. Instead I work harder on prayer and gratitude.
 
No, we’re all only saved through God’s grace and mercy because nothing we can ever do is enough to atone for our sins.

However, this doesn’t get you off the hook as far as doing good works, as we are expected to do those out of love for God and neighbor. Not because we’re trying to make a list of good works to balance out our sins. That would be Jansenism.
 
I like your response the best. It seems in line where I am now. When I was younger before disability I used to do a lot of volunteer work helping disadvantaged youth and the homeless. Ever since this disability I have not been able to do anything. I need to ramp up my volunteer work. Although our community is medium sized, there is a vibrant Catholic Charities. I would love to one day go back to work and work for a non-profit as a paralegal, but only time will tell if my illness allows.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
My response is from the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux, a Doctor of the Church, so I can’t take credit for it. She has been a great and helpful friend to me.
 
There is a thread on the treasury of merit. A very good read. We are co-workers with God, being members - spiritual parts - of Christ’s Body. He worked. We work. He was heaven it self. We are not, but by cooperating with God’s grace, we climb that ladder.

Yet, mercy must be ours or we have no hope.

Everything in perspective.
 
RepetantCatholic said:
… I can only Exeter the Kingdom of Heaven by God’s grace alone …
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Although, for that person, the meritorious works done are the partial cause of eternal happiness, per catholic dogma.

Also the degree of the Beatific Vision for one in heaven is greater or lesser depending upon the merit.
 
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