Brian

I was reading an answer posted by a Catholic priest, as follows:

“Catholics see salvation quite differently than those who think that covering one’s sins is enough to enter the presence of God. We recognize that Christ has redeemed us on the cross and unlocked the gates of heaven and that redemption is not the same as salvation but instead a prelude to salvation. In order for us to receive salvation we must cooperate by being spiritually alive. Our soul cannot be in a natural state when we die to receive salvation and no covering of its sinfulness will be enough to hide what is beneath, a soul without the sanctifying grace cannot enter heaven. If, at death, the soul is sanctified then there is no doubt of heaven even if that soul needs to go to the purification of purgatory. Only souls that are indeed good and pleasing to God by being full of His sanctifying grace will merit heaven. It is the state of the soul at death that merits heaven and this fact emphasizes why we need God’s ongoing grace in our lives to persevere to the end.

God bless!

In Christ

Fr. Joseph”

Christ didn’t save anyone through His death and resurrection, only made it possible for us to work hard enough to be saved?

Ephesians says that God raised us from the grave with Christ and seated us with Him. It also says that we cannot be saved by works.

Ephesians 2:4-6 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”

Ephesians 2:9-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

In addition, Acts 2 tells us if we repent we are forgiven of our sins. Acts 2:37-38 “37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “

Also Titus 3:5 “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”

John 3:6 “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Nothing done without the Holy Spirit is of value to God.

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children”

Romans 8:1 tells us “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

1 Corinthians 6:11 “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”

Finally, 1 John 5:12 “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

As I read the Word of God it says that we are saved through Christ’s death and resurrection. When we believe in this Truth and accept Jesus as our Savior, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes us alive in God’s eyes. He imputes to us Christ’s righteousness. If we could work our way into Heaven, Jesus’s death was unnecessary.

We are sanctified by God not by our works. Yes, we are to live holy lives and be conformed to the likeness of Christ but without Salvation, we cannot do anything pleasing to God.

So, again, my question… Where do Catholics come up with this idea that we have to work our souls clean to be saved and that Jesus is just the Holy doorman of God opening the gate for us?

Also, where does this put the person who believes in Jesus on their deathbed? They have no chance to work their soul clean. And you cannot pray someone else righteous. Hebrews 9:27 says “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”.