What Works are Required to Get to Heaven?

[distracted]

I would like to have your opinion on what works are required to get to Heaven. As you may know, Jesus said getting to Heaven was NOT easy… that the road is “narrow and there are few who find it”…

Also, could you state what religion you are and how long you have belonged to that religion.

Thanks.

 

[Believe_85]

I am a Cradle Catholic. I believe there does not exist a laundry list of good works one must complete or even a degree of “goodness” to their works to get to heaven. It is rather the faith that is behind the works. Afterall, there are great Saints like Peter and little Saints like St. Therese of Liseux who is known for living a humble life of relatively small contributions (“the little way”) but both had great faith which they poured out into their works. I also believe in the idea of “innocent Christians” whose good intent and holy life (though maybe not exposed to the full truth) can lead them to the Mercy of God.

 

[distracted]

I am a Cradle Catholic. I believe there does not exist a laundry list of good works one must complete or even a degree of “goodness” to their works to get to heaven. It is rather the faith that is behind the works. Afterall, there are great Saints like Peter and little Saints like St. Therese of Liseux who is known for living a humble life of relatively small contributions (“the little way”) but both had great faith which they poured out into their works. I also believe in the idea of “innocent Christians” whose good intent and holy life (though maybe not exposed to the full truth) can lead them to the Mercy of God.

which St. Peter?

i have read a little about St. Therese…

but i am not so sure she just did “relatively small” things…

I feel that doing some certain things …& doing them just because they are the right things…well, are not physically difficult but are very difficult in other ways… Volunteering at a soup kitchen seems pretty easy sometimes…

Loving people “as we love ourselves”… is extremely difficult… even if we are only trying to do so within the confines of our own hearts/souls… meaning: before we get to the point of loving them in a more concrete way… (if you know what i mean)…

It is very difficult loving people who do not love us… who do not want us around because we talk of Jesus too much (as if there is such a thing)… or just don’t like us because we are different… or because we don’t have $… or what have you… People without $ are really looked down on in this world… They are seen as scum…

Anyway… i digress…

I love people… all people… so maybe i am half-way fulfilling Christ’s commandment… .but on the other hand… i don’t think i do (completley) because i have a hard time loving others as i love myself… I am afraid of getting too involved… or something… sometimes i don’t even know what i am afraid of… maybe the devil just tells me there is something to be afraid of… i don’t know… All i know is that i am very weak in some ways… & sometimes i do not want to “work” on those weaknesses… I think that is what is wrong with most Americans… they don’t want to do the work it takes to change… Americans spend their time working on their jobs… Then they are too tired to expend energy on what is most important… (generally speaking)… I believe our society is too focused on work… & i am NOT talking about the work of working out your salvation with fear and trembling… (Philippians 2:12)

 

[puzzleannie]

I am a Christian so I follow the teachings of Christ, as listed in Matthew 25, judgement of the nations, as to the works he requires and upon which he will judge our fitness for heaven: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked etc. Otherwise called the works of mercy. my opinon is valueless so instead I refer you to the relevant scripture.

 

[distracted]

I am a Cradle Catholic. d.

oh, i forgot… i am a cradle Catholic also… and been through the “born again” thing… only to fall away from any real connection with Jesus… was in the world for too many years , got really messed up spritiually and emotionally and mentally… and then found (re-found) the Catholic Church… That is when i got to KNOW Jesus… (Real Presence)…



(I felt i had to explain because… well, just saying cradle Catholic doesn’t describe who i am very well…)

 

[distracted]

I am a Christian so I follow the teachings of Christ, as listed in Matthew 25, judgement of the nations, as to the works he requires and upon which he will judge our fitness for heaven: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked etc. Otherwise called the works of mercy.

do you think we are required to also “work” on such things as: changing our inner attitudes, etc.??

i mean, it seems to me that the hardest thing to do in the Christian walk is… as aforementioned… such things as loving others the way we should… I have a habit of grumbling to myself about various things people do (politicians… family members…) when they are not around. Not the worst sin in the book but i should be prayig for them isntead…

things like that…

 

[puzzleannie]

OP asked about “works” required to get to heaven, so I responded, as a good Catholic should, from Christ’s own words. OP did not ask about one’s individual spiritual development, so I did not answer in that vein. The Christian by definition loves and follows Jesus Christ. He said that if we love him we will follow his command, and that passage is his command.

Love leads to faith and faith leads to service. Not me. Mother Teresa. there is certainly plenty of spiritual benefit in working on interior attitudes and what have you, but if I profess to love Jesus, but use “hey I’m working on my spirituality, when that is in order, then I will serve the poor” is an excuse and a cop-out, and a poor one at that.

 

[distracted]

OP asked about “works” required to get to heaven, so I responded, as a good Catholic should, from Christ’s own words. OP did not ask about one’s individual spiritual development, so I did not answer in that vein. The Christian by definition loves and follows Jesus Christ. He said that if we love him we will follow his command, and that passage is his command. Love leads to faith and faith leads to service. Not me. Mother Teresa.

i think we are required to fix ourselves…

 

[churchcamefirst]

One thing I don’t get here is why people are “cradle Catholics”. If they know what requires them to be a full Catholic and in full communion with the church, why do and think otherwise? Do as your church wants you to do and become a “Catholic” and not a cradle or cafeteria Catholic. One who picks and chooses what they want to believe.
Either your a Catholic in full communion with the holy Catholic church or your not.

 

[puzzleannie]

i think we are required to fix ourselves…

I think we are required believe that Christ died and rose to fix us, and that we are called to obey him and love him, which means to serve those he has given us to serve. His words, not mine. “I think” is irrelevant in this context.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I would like to have your opinion on what works are required to get to Heaven. As you may know, Jesus said getting to Heaven was NOT easy… that the road is “narrow and there are few who find it”…

How is that relevant ?​

We are saved by grace - works are not needed. To say they are is to found salvation on human merit, which is intolerable. Works are not needed - therefore, we are to do them. Since they are not the basis for salvation, to do them is not a challenge to the Primacy of Christ, but an act of obedience to His Father & to Him.

Synergism is wrong too - as is any doctrine which smuggles in human desert as in any way a basis for salvation: God’s grace does not find us good, but makes us good from being evil. Salvation by human goodness does not allow the whole of our salvation to be the Work of God Alone - & this error has ruinous consequences.

Also, could you state what religion you are and how long you have belonged to that religion.

Thanks.

##] RC for almost 30 years

 

[Believe_85]

which St. Peter?
Peter the Apostle, considered by some to be the greatest Saint or second only to the Virgin Mary
i have read a little about St. Therese…

but i am not so sure she just did “relatively small” things…
That is how she described herself in her Diary…wishing to be holy while feeling she would never and couldn’t ever be “a great saint”…but I agree, and apparently so does the Church that in living a Saintly life she did great things.
I feel that doing some certain things …& doing them just because they are the right things…well, are not physically difficult but are very difficult in other ways… Volunteering at a soup kitchen seems pretty easy sometimes…

Loving people “as we love ourselves”… is extremely difficult… even if we are only trying to do so within the confines of our own hearts/souls… meaning: before we get to the point of loving them in a more concrete way… (if you know what i mean)…

It is very difficult loving people who do not love us… who do not want us around because we talk of Jesus too much (as if there is such a thing)… or just don’t like us because we are different… or because we don’t have $… or what have you… People without $ are really looked down on in this world… They are seen as scum…
***Very true. There seems to be a new wave in young Catholics, from what I have seen online on Catholic websites and Catholic High Schools of channelling the typical teenage rebellion of nonconformity toward a sex-craved society. The result is lots of teens leaning toward traditional Catholicism, even Latin Mass, and going against society’s love of sexual impurity. All in the name of being different Whatever works to get them practicing the faith, I say! ***
Anyway… i digress…

I love people… all people… so maybe i am half-way fulfilling Christ’s commandment… .but on the other hand… i don’t think i do (completley) because i have a hard time loving others as i love myself… I am afraid of getting too involved… or something… sometimes i don’t even know what i am afraid of… maybe the devil just tells me there is something to be afraid of… i don’t know… All i know is that i am very weak in some ways… & sometimes i do not want to “work” on those weaknesses… I think that is what is wrong with most Americans… they don’t want to do the work it takes to change… Americans spend their time working on their jobs… Then they are too tired to expend energy on what is most important… (generally speaking)… I believe our society is too focused on work… & i am NOT talking about the work of working out your salvation with fear and trembling… (Philippians 2:12)

I remember in one of my college classes, I had a professor who compared the state of chaos Rome was in (the ancient nation, not the Church) before their society collapsed with modern day America. Love of materialism, wealth, youth, power, domination, immorality, pleasure…Sounds like America today to me. In her opinion, it was only a matter of time before America collapsed. I like to think there is a great revolution that will take place, when Americans will just not stand for it anymore and start to focus again on what matters: Faith, love, charity.

 

[JRKH]

I would like to have your opinion on what works are required to get to Heaven. As you may know, Jesus said getting to Heaven was NOT easy… that the road is “narrow and there are few who find it”…

Also, could you state what religion you are and how long you have belonged to that religion.

Thanks.

I am a cradle-catholic who left the Church for 30 years and reverted a little more than a year ago.

As to “Works” required, that is a loaded question as you can imagine.
Start with the Bible, we must believe and repent.
In our daily Lives we must strive to Live the Gospel and the commands of Jesus.
One of those commands is to obey the Church which Has His authority and Protection. Therefore we must fulfill our obligations as professed catholics. (Attend Mass weekly, confession, etc).

That’s a quick answer -

Peace
James

 

[Believe_85]

One thing I don’t get here is why people are “cradle Catholics”. If they know what requires them to be a full Catholic and in full communion with the church, why do and think otherwise? Do as your church wants you to do and become a “Catholic” and not a cradle or cafeteria Catholic. One who picks and chooses what they want to believe.
Either your a Catholic in full communion with the holy Catholic church or your not.

I don’t know why I feel I need to justify myself to you, but where I come from Cradle Catholic is not a bad term…it just means “born and raised.” I went to Catholic School for 16 years, I’m a Traditional Catholic who practices the sacraments and I am in full Communion with the Church of Rome. I even vote ProLife even though all but one other family member think I have “extreme” views for doing so. I hope that is ok with you. Why would you try to enflame people by saying something like that? All because of symantecs. Good grief!

Sorry, distracted for derailing your thread.

 

[Peter_J]

Synergism is wrong too - as is any doctrine which smuggles in human desert as in any way a basis for salvation: God’s grace does not find us good, but makes us good from being evil. Salvation by human goodness does not allow the whole of our salvation to be the Work of God Alone - & this error has ruinous consequences.

From the document, Salvation: Grace, Justification and Synergy, from a 1998 Lutheran-Orthodox dialogue:

  5. Both Lutherans and Orthodox teach that divine grace operates universally          and that God freely grants grace to all human beings. God's saving grace          does not operate by necessity or in an irresistible manner, since human          beings can reject it. Regarding the way in which salvation is appropriated          by the believers, Lutherans, by teaching that justification and salvation          are by grace alone through faith (sola gratia, sola fide), stress the          absolute priority of divine grace in salvation. When they speak about          saving faith they do not think of the dead faith which even the demons          have (cf. James 2:19), but the faith which Abraham showed and which was          reckoned to him as righteousness (cf. Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4:3,9). The Orthodox          also affirm the absolute priority of divine grace. They underline that          it is God's grace which enables our human will to conform to the divine          will (cf. Phil 2:13) in the steps of Jesus praying, "not as I will          but as You will" (Matt. 26:39), so that we may work out our salvation          in fear and trembling (cf. Phil. 2:12). This is what the Orthodox mean          by "synergy" (working together) of divine grace and the human          will of the believer in the appropriation of the divine life in Christ.          The understanding of synergy in salvation is helped by the fact that the          human will in the one person of Christ was not abolished when the human          nature was united in Him with the divine nature, according to the Christological          decisions of the Ecumenical Councils. While Lutherans do not use the concept          of synergy, they recognize the personal responsibility of the human being          in the acceptance or refusal of divine grace through faith, and in the          growth of faith and obedience to God. Lutherans and Orthodox both understand          good works as the fruits and manifestations of the believer's faith and          not as a means of salvation.

 

[ronald_g_w]

How is that relevant ?​

We are saved by grace - works are not needed. To say they are is to found salvation on human merit, which is intolerable. Works are not needed - therefore, we are to do them. Since they are not the basis for salvation, to do them is not a challenge to the Primacy of Christ, but an act of obedience to His Father & to Him.

Synergism is wrong too - as is any doctrine which smuggles in human desert as in any way a basis for salvation: God’s grace does not find us good, but makes us good from being evil. Salvation by human goodness does not allow the whole of our salvation to be the Work of God Alone - & this error has ruinous consequences.
##] RC for almost 30 years

If we are all saved by Grace alone! What then determines ones reward from another ? " in my Father’s house there are many mansions" As our works differ so will our rewards.

 

[grandfather]

From a penny catechism I used to carry around:

“What must I DO to be saved.”

“To be saved you must worship God in faith, hope and love.”

 

[grandfather]

From a penny catechism I used to carry around:

“What must I DO to be saved.”

“To be saved you must worship God in faith, hope and love.”

 

[grandfather]

From a penny catechism I used to carry around:

“What must I DO to be saved.”

“To be saved you must worship God in faith, hope and love.”

 

[peary1]

I would like to have your opinion on what works are required to get to Heaven. As you may know, Jesus said getting to Heaven was NOT easy… that the road is “narrow and there are few who find it”…

Also, could you state what religion you are and how long you have belonged to that religion.

Thanks.

God reads human hearts and from there He judges at the end.
My opinion would be that a Christian practices both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy throughout his or her life, and that, as Catholic Christians, fulfill the Church’s obligations with regard to the sacramental life.