J
- Status
1
1962Missal
Guest
K
kpnuts2k
Guest
we dont belive it because it is not biblical
M
mrS4ntA
Guest
Haven’t you read what others have posted? It’s very biblical!
Try at least to pretend you are not intellectually ignorant… Straw-man arguments never work; try concession arguments, for once!
K
Kinsman
Guest
I’ve read a lot of opinions about this doctrine being Biblical on this thred, but I’ve yet to see an actual quote from a Biblical text that specifically teaches it and states its reality. So, since you’re not "pretending to be intellectually ignorant," I’m sure you can do that for us.
J
jimmy
Guest
I. A State After Death of Suffering and Forgiveness
Matt. 5:25,18:34; Luke 12:58-59 - these verses allude to a temporary state of purgation called a “prison.” There is no exit until we are perfect, and the last penny is paid.
Matt. 5:48 - Jesus says, “be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We are only made perfect through purification, and in Catholic teaching, this purification, if not completed on earth, is continued in a state we call purgatory.
Matt. 12:32 - Jesus clearly provides that there is forgiveness after death. Forgiveness is not necessary in heaven, and there is no forgiveness in hell. This proves that there is another state after death, and the Church for 2,000 years has called this state purgatory.
Luke 12:47-48 - when the Master comes (at the end of time), some will receive light or heavy beatings but will live. This state is not heaven or hell, because in heaven there are no beatings, and in hell we will will no longer live with the Master.
Luke 16:19-31 - in this story, we see that the dead rich man is suffering but still feels compassion for his brothers and wants to warn them of his place of suffering. But there is no suffering in heaven or compassion in hell because compassion is a grace from God and those in hell are deprived from God’s graces for all eternity. So where is the rich man? He is in purgatory.
1 Cor. 15:29-30 - Paul mentions people being baptized on behalf of the dead, to atone for their sins. These people cannot be in heaven because they are still with sin, but they also cannot be in hell because their sins can no longer be atoned for. They are in purgatory.
Phil. 2:10 - every knee bends to Jesus, in heaven, on earth, and “under the earth” which is the realm of the righteous dead, or purgatory.
2 Tim. 1:16-18 - Onesiphorus is dead but Paul asks for mercy on him. But there is no need for mercy in heaven, and there is no mercy given in hell. Where is Onesiphorus? He is in purgatory.
Heb. 12:14 - without holiness no one will see the Lord. We need final sanctification to attain true holiness before God, and this process occurs during our lives and, if not completed, in the state of purgatory.
Heb. 12:23 - the spirits of just men who died in godliness are “made” perfect. They do not necessarily arrive perfect. They are made perfect after their death. But those in heaven are already perfect, and those in hell can no longer be made perfect. These spirits were in purgatory.
1 Peter 3:19; 4:6 - Jesus preached to the spirits in the “prison.” These are the righteous souls being purified for the beatific vision.
J
jimmy
Guest
Rev. 21:4 - God shall wipe away their tears, and there will be no mourning or pain, but only after the coming of the new heaven and the passing away of the current heaven and earth. But there is no morning or pain in heaven, and God will not wipe away their tears in hell. These are the souls experiencing purgatory.
Rev. 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven. Even the propensity to sin is uncleanliness. It is amazing how many Protestants do not want to believe in purgatory. Purgatory exists because of the mercy of God. If there were no purgatory, this would also likely mean no salvation for most people. God is merciful indeed.
Gen. 50:10; Num. 20:29; Deut. 34:8 - here are some examples of ritual prayer and penitent mourning for the dead for specific periods of time. The Jewish understanding of these practices was that the prayers freed the souls from their painful state of purificatioin, and expedited their journey to God.
Baruch 3:4 - Baruch asks the Lord to hear the prayers of the dead of Israel. Prayers for the dead are unnecessary in heaven and unnecessary in hell. These dead are in purgatory.
Zech. 9:11 - God, through the blood of His covenant, will set those free from the waterless pit, a spiritual abode of suffering which the Church calls purgatory.
2 Macc. 12:43-45 - the prayers for the dead help free them from sin and help them to the reward of heaven. Those in heaven have no sin, and those in hell can no longer be freed from sin. They are in purgatory. Luther was particularly troubled with these verses because he rejected the age-old teaching of purgatory. As a result, he removed Maccabees from the canon of the Bible.
Rev. 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven. Even the propensity to sin is uncleanliness. It is amazing how many Protestants do not want to believe in purgatory. Purgatory exists because of the mercy of God. If there were no purgatory, this would also likely mean no salvation for most people. God is merciful indeed.
Gen. 50:10; Num. 20:29; Deut. 34:8 - here are some examples of ritual prayer and penitent mourning for the dead for specific periods of time. The Jewish understanding of these practices was that the prayers freed the souls from their painful state of purificatioin, and expedited their journey to God.
Baruch 3:4 - Baruch asks the Lord to hear the prayers of the dead of Israel. Prayers for the dead are unnecessary in heaven and unnecessary in hell. These dead are in purgatory.
Zech. 9:11 - God, through the blood of His covenant, will set those free from the waterless pit, a spiritual abode of suffering which the Church calls purgatory.
2 Macc. 12:43-45 - the prayers for the dead help free them from sin and help them to the reward of heaven. Those in heaven have no sin, and those in hell can no longer be freed from sin. They are in purgatory. Luther was particularly troubled with these verses because he rejected the age-old teaching of purgatory. As a result, he removed Maccabees from the canon of the Bible.
J
jimmy
Guest
II. Purification After Death By Fire
Heb. 12:29 - God is a consuming fire (of love in heaven, of purgation in purgatory, or of suffering and damnation in hell).
1 Cor. 3:10-15 - works are judged after death and tested by fire. Some works are lost, but the person is still saved. Paul is referring to the state of purgation called purgatory. The venial sins (bad works) that were committed are burned up after death, but the person is still brought to salvation. This state after death cannot be heaven (no one with venial sins is present) or hell (there is no forgiveness and salvation).
1 Cor. 3:15 - Paul says though he will be saved, “but only” through fire. The phrase “but only” in the Greek is “houtos” which means “in the same manner.” This means that man is both rewarded and saved by fire.
1 Cor. 3:15 - when Paul teaches that those whose work is burned up will suffer loss, the phrase for “suffer loss” in the Greek is “zemiothesetai.” The root word is “zemioo” which also refers to punishment. This means that there is an expiation of temporal punishment after our death, which cannot mean either heaven (no need for it) or hell (expiation no longer exists).
1 Cor. 3:13 - when Paul writes about God revealing the quality of each man’s work by fire and purifying him, this purification relates to his sins (not just his good works). Protestants, in attempting to disprove the reality of purgatory, argue that Paul was only writing about rewarding good works, and not punishing sins (because punishing and purifying a man from sins would be admitting that there is a purgatory).
1 Cor. 3:17 - but this verse proves that the purgation after death deals with punishing sin. That is, destroying God’s temple is a bad work, which is a mortal sin, which leads to death.
1 Cor. 3:14,15,17 - purgatory thus reveals the state of righteousness (v.14), state of venial sin (v.15) and the state of mortal sin (v.17).
1 Peter 1:6-7 - Peter refers to this purgatorial fire to test the fruits of our faith.
Jude 1:23 - the people who are saved are being snatched out of the fire. People are already saved if in heaven, and there is no possibility of salvation if in hell. These people are being led to heaven from purgatory.
Rev. 3:18-19 - Jesus refers to this fire as what refines into gold those He loves if they repent of their sins.
Dan 12:10 - Daniel refers to this refining by saying many shall purify themselves, make themselves white and be refined.
Wis. 3:5-6 - the dead are disciplined and tested by fire to receive their heavenly reward.
Sirach 2:5 - for gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
Zech. 13:8-9 - God says 2/3 shall perish, and 1/3 shall be left alive, put into the fire, and refined like silver and tested like gold.
Mal. 3:2-3 - also refers to God’s purification of the righteous at their death.
scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html
Heb. 12:29 - God is a consuming fire (of love in heaven, of purgation in purgatory, or of suffering and damnation in hell).
1 Cor. 3:10-15 - works are judged after death and tested by fire. Some works are lost, but the person is still saved. Paul is referring to the state of purgation called purgatory. The venial sins (bad works) that were committed are burned up after death, but the person is still brought to salvation. This state after death cannot be heaven (no one with venial sins is present) or hell (there is no forgiveness and salvation).
1 Cor. 3:15 - Paul says though he will be saved, “but only” through fire. The phrase “but only” in the Greek is “houtos” which means “in the same manner.” This means that man is both rewarded and saved by fire.
1 Cor. 3:15 - when Paul teaches that those whose work is burned up will suffer loss, the phrase for “suffer loss” in the Greek is “zemiothesetai.” The root word is “zemioo” which also refers to punishment. This means that there is an expiation of temporal punishment after our death, which cannot mean either heaven (no need for it) or hell (expiation no longer exists).
1 Cor. 3:13 - when Paul writes about God revealing the quality of each man’s work by fire and purifying him, this purification relates to his sins (not just his good works). Protestants, in attempting to disprove the reality of purgatory, argue that Paul was only writing about rewarding good works, and not punishing sins (because punishing and purifying a man from sins would be admitting that there is a purgatory).
1 Cor. 3:17 - but this verse proves that the purgation after death deals with punishing sin. That is, destroying God’s temple is a bad work, which is a mortal sin, which leads to death.
1 Cor. 3:14,15,17 - purgatory thus reveals the state of righteousness (v.14), state of venial sin (v.15) and the state of mortal sin (v.17).
1 Peter 1:6-7 - Peter refers to this purgatorial fire to test the fruits of our faith.
Jude 1:23 - the people who are saved are being snatched out of the fire. People are already saved if in heaven, and there is no possibility of salvation if in hell. These people are being led to heaven from purgatory.
Rev. 3:18-19 - Jesus refers to this fire as what refines into gold those He loves if they repent of their sins.
Dan 12:10 - Daniel refers to this refining by saying many shall purify themselves, make themselves white and be refined.
Wis. 3:5-6 - the dead are disciplined and tested by fire to receive their heavenly reward.
Sirach 2:5 - for gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
Zech. 13:8-9 - God says 2/3 shall perish, and 1/3 shall be left alive, put into the fire, and refined like silver and tested like gold.
Mal. 3:2-3 - also refers to God’s purification of the righteous at their death.
scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html
E
elgom
Guest
My friend, Jesus believed in purgatory, he prayed for the dead. He also raised the dead, but he was Jewish and the Jews pray for the dead.The belief of purgurtory is just that {A BELIEF]. It is pure speculation, for no one has come back to this earth and revealed this process. I do know this, that my sins are forgiven. They haved been washed as white as snow. Jesus does not look back at our sins. The cross and his precious blood have taken care of them. We can discuss this all day long,but the bottom line is ,we as christians will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Maybe some of us will come quicker. God Bless
As far as your assertion that no one has come back to this earth and revealed this process, I know this is private revelation and that is difficult for people, but in the book Purgatory taken from the lives of the Saints by Fr. Schoppe, God has allowed souls in purgatory to ask for prayers countless times since the early church.
At Fatima the Blessed Mother Mary showed the children Hell and purgatory.
We need to pray for the souls in purgatory, there are so many there who are forgotten, including protestants.
By the way, nothing unclean can enter heaven.
To discount the possibility of Purgatory is sad. It may mean that many feel there is no hope because they know they are unclean and dispair.
By the way do you believe that “once you are saved you are always saved and can’t lose your salvation” because Jesus said the opposite in John 15: 1-11.
Christians are the vine and he is the branches. He says they can be thrown into the fire.
S
SPOKENWORD
Guest
Its really amazing how one can take pieces of scripture and try to fit it into the beliefs of man. Nothing against you Jimmy,keep up the reading of Gods Word.
S
SPOKENWORD
Guest
You really think Jesus prayed for the dead? Why would he pray for the dead when He had the power to raise them?
H
hlgomez
Guest
IF THAT’S TRUE, WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING “BIBLE ALONE” BELIEF???:banghead: THE BIBLE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF? NO INTERPRETER???
PIO
H
hlgomez
Guest
SPOKEN WORD WROTE THAT ONE…
S
snuffy
Guest
Hey there:
Once again Protestants stating that all the biblical proof in the word will not satisfy them. They have hearts and minds of stone.
Not once have they begun to tell us how they interpret alll of the above readings…they just completely ignore them.
I am a sinner, who goes to confess, and yet I know that I hurt my Lord many times thru out my day…by not being perfect. Therefore I thank God that He will give me a chance of seeing Him in heaven, after I receive his mercy, by being made perfect, thru the fire of Purgatory.
I’m sad that sooooo many Protestants think they are perfect enough to see God. To them I say to pray for the grace of humility.
Jeanette
Once again Protestants stating that all the biblical proof in the word will not satisfy them. They have hearts and minds of stone.
Not once have they begun to tell us how they interpret alll of the above readings…they just completely ignore them.
I am a sinner, who goes to confess, and yet I know that I hurt my Lord many times thru out my day…by not being perfect. Therefore I thank God that He will give me a chance of seeing Him in heaven, after I receive his mercy, by being made perfect, thru the fire of Purgatory.
I’m sad that sooooo many Protestants think they are perfect enough to see God. To them I say to pray for the grace of humility.
Jeanette
K
Kinsman
Guest
1 Corinthians 3:8-17:
“If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I think Rome’s apologists especially like this verse because it contains the words that sound like their doctrine of purgatory: suffer, loss, fire, saved, etc. However, like any Biblical text, it must be examined and understood within its immediate and overall context, for “any text taken out of context is a pretext.”
Even a cursory examination of the context discloses that the Apostle Paul is not describing a man imprisoned in a place where his sins are being purged through personal suffering and by cleansing fire. In fact, Paul is not addressing sins in this passage at all, but a Christian workman’s labor and subsequent rewards.
Paul metaphorically points out that according to the grace of God given to him, as a wise master builder, he laid the foundation of Christ in Corinth, and another subsequently builds upon that foundation with valuable, noncombustible materials such as gold, silver and precious stones; or worthless, combustible materials such as wood, hay or straw (3:8-12). The value of the building materials is analogous to the value of the workman’s labor, and it is the value of this “work” that “will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work” (3:13). If the work by which he built upon the foundation remains he receives a reward (vs. 14). If any of the man’s work is burned up, he suffers loss (of reward, vs. 15).
When read in context it becomes very clear that Paul is not speaking of a future stint for believers in a place called “purgatory.” But a future judgment when a Christian worker’s labor will be tested (i.e., appraised), and if found valuable - rewarded, if not - no reward. There is absolutely no mention of personal sins in the context of this passage! And the fire here is not described as a means of purging, i.e., a means of cleansing sin via suffering, but revealing, i.e., the quality of one’s works (of faith, 3:13).
This passage speaks NOTHING to the suppor of the RC doctrine of “purgatory.”
I’ll cover some of the other passage you guys posted next. For now I’ve got to run.
“If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I think Rome’s apologists especially like this verse because it contains the words that sound like their doctrine of purgatory: suffer, loss, fire, saved, etc. However, like any Biblical text, it must be examined and understood within its immediate and overall context, for “any text taken out of context is a pretext.”
Even a cursory examination of the context discloses that the Apostle Paul is not describing a man imprisoned in a place where his sins are being purged through personal suffering and by cleansing fire. In fact, Paul is not addressing sins in this passage at all, but a Christian workman’s labor and subsequent rewards.
Paul metaphorically points out that according to the grace of God given to him, as a wise master builder, he laid the foundation of Christ in Corinth, and another subsequently builds upon that foundation with valuable, noncombustible materials such as gold, silver and precious stones; or worthless, combustible materials such as wood, hay or straw (3:8-12). The value of the building materials is analogous to the value of the workman’s labor, and it is the value of this “work” that “will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work” (3:13). If the work by which he built upon the foundation remains he receives a reward (vs. 14). If any of the man’s work is burned up, he suffers loss (of reward, vs. 15).
When read in context it becomes very clear that Paul is not speaking of a future stint for believers in a place called “purgatory.” But a future judgment when a Christian worker’s labor will be tested (i.e., appraised), and if found valuable - rewarded, if not - no reward. There is absolutely no mention of personal sins in the context of this passage! And the fire here is not described as a means of purging, i.e., a means of cleansing sin via suffering, but revealing, i.e., the quality of one’s works (of faith, 3:13).
This passage speaks NOTHING to the suppor of the RC doctrine of “purgatory.”
I’ll cover some of the other passage you guys posted next. For now I’ve got to run.
M
MariaG
Guest
Thanks Kinsman,
I appreciate the effort at giving Catholics your interpretation of Scripture. I will study it and look forward to your response to the other Scripture references.
God Bless
I appreciate the effort at giving Catholics your interpretation of Scripture. I will study it and look forward to your response to the other Scripture references.
God Bless
K
Kinsman
Guest
(1) *1 Peter 1:6-7 - Peter refers to this purgatorial fire to test the fruits of our faith. *
In context, Peter is not at all referring to a place called “purgatory.” But he is referring to the various trials the believing Jews he was writing to were facing at that moment. "In this you greatly rejoice, even though for NOW for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials…"
This passage, in context, has absolutely nothing to do with believers having their venial sins “purged” in some sort of penitentiary-of-suffering called “purgatory.”
(2) Jude 1:23 - the people who are saved are being snatched out of the fire. People are already saved if in heaven, and there is no possibility of salvation if in hell. These people are being led to heaven from purgatory.
Here again you’re anachronistically dumping into this one verse the whole concept of Rome’s extra-biblical, time-developed, doctrine of “purgatory.” Jude says to have mercy of those who are doubting, but in contrast, “save” others, snatching them out of the fire. Salvation would keep them out of the “Lake of fire,” the eternal abode for all unbelievers. No mention of “purgatory” here.
(3) Rev. 3:18-19 - Jesus refers to this fire as what refines into gold those He loves if they repent of their sins.
Jesus here appeals to the luke-warm, wealthy, self-reliant, in need of nothing, comfortable in this world, Laodicean church, to buy from Him “gold refined by fire.” That church thought of itself as wealthy, but Jesus actually saw them as terribly impoverished. Because they rested and gloried in their worldly wealth, the pure grace message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was as good as snuffed out in that pitiful church, and Christ was ready to “spew” them out of his mouth, as one would luke-warm water. And as a result of their apathy, they faced little, if any, trials or persecutions from the world. Which was not common for believers during that time in Church history. Buying “gold refined by fire” from Christ is metaphoric for repenting, or turning from their apostasy to serve Christ, and this would then produce valuable works that will endure on the day those works will be appraised. As described in the third chapter of 1 Corinthians. See previous post.
This passage has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with purging sins in “purgatory” or “purgatory-polished” saints.
In context, Peter is not at all referring to a place called “purgatory.” But he is referring to the various trials the believing Jews he was writing to were facing at that moment. "In this you greatly rejoice, even though for NOW for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials…"
This passage, in context, has absolutely nothing to do with believers having their venial sins “purged” in some sort of penitentiary-of-suffering called “purgatory.”
(2) Jude 1:23 - the people who are saved are being snatched out of the fire. People are already saved if in heaven, and there is no possibility of salvation if in hell. These people are being led to heaven from purgatory.
Here again you’re anachronistically dumping into this one verse the whole concept of Rome’s extra-biblical, time-developed, doctrine of “purgatory.” Jude says to have mercy of those who are doubting, but in contrast, “save” others, snatching them out of the fire. Salvation would keep them out of the “Lake of fire,” the eternal abode for all unbelievers. No mention of “purgatory” here.
(3) Rev. 3:18-19 - Jesus refers to this fire as what refines into gold those He loves if they repent of their sins.
Jesus here appeals to the luke-warm, wealthy, self-reliant, in need of nothing, comfortable in this world, Laodicean church, to buy from Him “gold refined by fire.” That church thought of itself as wealthy, but Jesus actually saw them as terribly impoverished. Because they rested and gloried in their worldly wealth, the pure grace message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was as good as snuffed out in that pitiful church, and Christ was ready to “spew” them out of his mouth, as one would luke-warm water. And as a result of their apathy, they faced little, if any, trials or persecutions from the world. Which was not common for believers during that time in Church history. Buying “gold refined by fire” from Christ is metaphoric for repenting, or turning from their apostasy to serve Christ, and this would then produce valuable works that will endure on the day those works will be appraised. As described in the third chapter of 1 Corinthians. See previous post.
This passage has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with purging sins in “purgatory” or “purgatory-polished” saints.
S
SPOKENWORD
Guest
Kinsman said:
Kinsman. WOW, some great wisdom. You are blessed, Im praying that the Lord will continue to show christian revelation knowledge. All we have to do is continue to get more of Christs Word in us.
M
mrS4ntA
Guest
The same can be said about you…Its really amazing how one can take pieces of scripture and try to fit it into the beliefs of man. Nothing against you Jimmy,keep up the reading of Gods Word.
R
reggie
Guest
This is a terrific thread and I believe exactly what Karl and CA must have had in mind when they began this forum. Kudos to all who have posted.
I have read through the posts and have nothing scriptural or catechetic to add, just personal observations which may or may not help some with this belief. I begin by saying that the doctrine of purgatory to me is a grace and comforting belief. Someone earlier expressed his opinion that confessed sins are forgiven and one is saved, but unconfessed sin leads to death. I find this a very disheartening outlook because of an incredibly inspired scene in a book I read by Catholic author Bud Macfarlane Jr. This is a book of fiction but can be very edifying to any who read it. One of the characters in the book has a car accident and dies for an undisclosed amount of time. During this death, the character has the opportunity to go through a sort of personal-judgement, which the church teaches we will all undergo if we die before the second coming. The man is shown all of the sins he committed through his life. Many he was aware of, however he wasn’t always aware of the consequences to others or their lives. One sin was that he had had unprotected sex outside of marriage with a woman who unbeknownst to him became pregnant and had an abortion. Get the picture? During this, the man felt true remorse and spiritual pain for his sins, especially when he was shown Christ on the cross dying for each one of those sins. Now the thing was, he had committed sins he was unaware of, sins of thoughts, sins of omission, careless words forgotten as soon as they were uttered.
Now we all agree that Jesus died for all sins, past and present, that His sacrifice was and is present and perfect. We can agree that His grace is free for those who repent and accept Him as Savior. My feelings are that while that sacrifice was enough to save us, it didn’t mean that sin had stopped or that we aren’t in continual need for repentence and conversion. St. Paul wrote that he runs the race, working out his salvation with fear and trembling, hoping that in the end he would not be disqualified. Now that doesn’t sound like a man who felt that once saved always saved. The point is, we do not and cannot know when Our Lord will come, be it at the end of ages or our own personal end. Few die with all their sins repented, especially since even we may not know what they all are, for only God truly knows the heart of a man. Therefore, I find purgatory to be a comfort, and knowing that I will most likely be there, I await with trembling, sure that I will see things about myself that I will not like but knowing that in the end, the my faith will save me. The pain the character in the book felt was real and agonizing, but in the end, he was privileged to see the Glory of God that he would one day share. This does not mean that Jesus’ sacrifice was not enough, it doesn’t mean that we are not cleansed by His blood, it means simply that we are an active part of our own salvation, not just hearers, but doers, and we never forget that it is our sins that put Jesus on that cross and that we must be ever vigilant in asking for and receiving His Grace. It is freely given, but we must reach out for it, God never forces Himself on us.
I have read through the posts and have nothing scriptural or catechetic to add, just personal observations which may or may not help some with this belief. I begin by saying that the doctrine of purgatory to me is a grace and comforting belief. Someone earlier expressed his opinion that confessed sins are forgiven and one is saved, but unconfessed sin leads to death. I find this a very disheartening outlook because of an incredibly inspired scene in a book I read by Catholic author Bud Macfarlane Jr. This is a book of fiction but can be very edifying to any who read it. One of the characters in the book has a car accident and dies for an undisclosed amount of time. During this death, the character has the opportunity to go through a sort of personal-judgement, which the church teaches we will all undergo if we die before the second coming. The man is shown all of the sins he committed through his life. Many he was aware of, however he wasn’t always aware of the consequences to others or their lives. One sin was that he had had unprotected sex outside of marriage with a woman who unbeknownst to him became pregnant and had an abortion. Get the picture? During this, the man felt true remorse and spiritual pain for his sins, especially when he was shown Christ on the cross dying for each one of those sins. Now the thing was, he had committed sins he was unaware of, sins of thoughts, sins of omission, careless words forgotten as soon as they were uttered.
Now we all agree that Jesus died for all sins, past and present, that His sacrifice was and is present and perfect. We can agree that His grace is free for those who repent and accept Him as Savior. My feelings are that while that sacrifice was enough to save us, it didn’t mean that sin had stopped or that we aren’t in continual need for repentence and conversion. St. Paul wrote that he runs the race, working out his salvation with fear and trembling, hoping that in the end he would not be disqualified. Now that doesn’t sound like a man who felt that once saved always saved. The point is, we do not and cannot know when Our Lord will come, be it at the end of ages or our own personal end. Few die with all their sins repented, especially since even we may not know what they all are, for only God truly knows the heart of a man. Therefore, I find purgatory to be a comfort, and knowing that I will most likely be there, I await with trembling, sure that I will see things about myself that I will not like but knowing that in the end, the my faith will save me. The pain the character in the book felt was real and agonizing, but in the end, he was privileged to see the Glory of God that he would one day share. This does not mean that Jesus’ sacrifice was not enough, it doesn’t mean that we are not cleansed by His blood, it means simply that we are an active part of our own salvation, not just hearers, but doers, and we never forget that it is our sins that put Jesus on that cross and that we must be ever vigilant in asking for and receiving His Grace. It is freely given, but we must reach out for it, God never forces Himself on us.
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