Where in scripture do Catholics find any evidence that they must work for their salvation?

Question

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”.

cristoiglesia · Accepted Answer

"Where in scripture do Catholics find any evidence that they must work for their salvation?"

It does not and that is not Catholic teaching. Catholic teaching is that we must cooperate with God's salvific grace to be saved. Works based salvation was condemned at the African Synod in Carthage in 417AD. What Catholics teach is that faith alone is a heresy and that such faith is a dead faith in accordance with Scriptures. Nothing in my statements even suggested that one must work for their salvation.

You should make an effort to understand Catholic teaching before attempting to bear false witness against the Church. Calvinism as you profess is a doctrine of devils unsupportable in the context of the Bible. God bless!

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

? · Answer

Read the parable about Jesus separating the goats from the lambs. It is one scriptiure that points out those who do not live good lives and follow Jesus' commandment do not enter paradise with him. Jesus basically judges the people before him based on how they treated those in worse conditions than they. Or in other words, how well they upheld him commandment to love each other.

Much of the bible gives me the feeling that Jesus saved people from sin but not from themselves. If people chose to belive Jesus can get them into heaven for free and remain evil and sinful then it is not enough. Also note that the people who wrote those scriptures you quoted were strict followers of Jesus and followed his commandments and Gods'. They already followed Jesus and now his death resurection was the last step they needed for salvation. Most of those scriptures refer to following Jesus (have the Son, those who are in Christ, renewal by the holy spirit) all refer to following Jesus.

Note that I am not Catholic. I was once Baptist. Now I guess I am more or less nondenominational.

Anonymous · Answer

Also, where does this put the person who believes in Jesus on their deathbed? They have no chance to work their soul clean.  PURGATORY ... the Good Thief did not get off the cross, he died on it, suffering and forgiven. 


This does not mean anything like you make it to mean : "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”." You face judgment and for most, mercifully, there is Purgatory and due to the Communion of Saints you can most definitely help those in Purgatory. You pray for all sorts of things here on earth for other people, including the gift of Faith so why when you die do you not care for anybody else.

PaulCyp · Answer

They don't!   Which is why the Catholic Church doesn't teach that we earn our salvation!  If you bothered to take a look in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so you would have some idea what you are talking about, you would find "Salvation is a free gift of God that cannot be earned or merited".

However, while works do not earn salvation, and neither does faith, both are required means of accepting the gift of salvation.  This is clearly stated in several passages of God's Word.  For example, the last dozen verses of Matt 25 provide a whole list of the kinds of works of Christian charity Christians are required to do, followed by the statement that those who don't do them will go to Hell.  This isn't straightforward enough for you?

? · Answer

I think you got what he was saying incorrect what you merit here on earth you are rewarded in Heaven as per beatitudes which Jesus told his disciples at the sermon on the mountain. This actually comes from Judaism which was carried over into Christianity.
Look at it like this a person dedicates themselves to helping the poor living by Jesus example and the person who gives to the poor but are less charitable than the person who had given up everything to help the poor. They wouldn't be rewarded the same in Heaven because the person who had dedicated their life in helping the poor will be given a greater reward for being closer to God while on earth than the person who was less charitable giving to the poor. So who would be more deserving of the greater reward?

? · Answer

Salvation by grace through faith and strong works. that's the Catholic conception. The thief on the bypass had all 3: grace from God, faith in God, and he did a good paintings by talking up in supplication to God.

? · Answer

The Catholic Church is not a sola scriptura church.  A teaching can be true and good even if not found in scripture.  However, the Church's stance on faith and works is scriptual.

Mayflower · Answer

Literally, Rev 20:12 We have to be in the book of life. 
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing in the presence of the throne, and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

? · Answer

The longest question I have ever seen. Also, you were right, I shouldn't be rude or mean like I was on my last post

Lizzy · Answer

not catholic but James 2:17,18 clearly states that Faith without Works is dead.

sorry, but imo  Dead faith is no faith.

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Where in scripture do Catholics find any evidence that they must work for their salvation?

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