Roman Catholics and Good Works
Time for Reflection
Roman Catholics and Good Works: how do good works impact salvation?
If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.
Eternal Life [1]
Have you ever asked yourself why you are a Roman Catholic? Many people grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, went to their first communion, and then probably fell away from the Roman Catholic Church. If you have reached the point in your life where you occasionally pray to the Virgin Mary, or Jude, or some other saint, then you may be thinking your spiritual life may need some help. Perhaps you are on the other end of the spectrum and trust Mary and the saints for help each day. No matter how your faith is doing, now is the time to reflect upon your faith in light of the Bible. We can consider a few verses together. No matter where you are at in your faith, please consider the following ultimate question.
Question One
Why Should Jesus Let Me into Heaven?
Many Roman Catholics lack any assurance of salvation [2]. They really have no idea why Jesus should let them into heaven. You might be thinking you will be spending considerable time in Purgatory because of your sins, and maybe some day, you will finally reach heaven. Jesus came to earth to tell us about how we can have eternal life by faith in Him. He wrote down His message in the Bible. As a Roman Catholic, you probably have not read the Bible very much, but you may have heard a few sermons at Mass. We should all consider what Jesus said and learn directly from Jesus about salvation. He loves you and wants to spend eternity with you. He wants you to know for sure that you have eternal life. Please consider the following questions about your faith.
Question Two
Can I Have Assurance that I Have Eternal Life Right Now?
Imagine that you can lay your head on your pillow tonight and know for sure that all your sins have been forgiven once and for all time. Jesus loves you and said that He came to bring that assurance of salvation into your life today. Please consider what the Bible provides about eternal salvation [3]. Jesus said that we die spiritually when we sin. For our spiritual lives, sin is deadly poison.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Many Roman Catholics hope that after death someone will pray them out of Purgatory, or buy them out of Purgatory with an indulgence or some act of spiritual merit. You may be all too aware of your sins, and dreading your time in Purgatory after death. You may go to confession from time to time, but not very often. Jesus taught that all of us are sinners. We all fall short of the glory of God, and we know that fact in our hearts. Jesus came to connect with us for eternity. He knows all about all of our sins and still loves us. Yet, you understand that you are a sinner and need a Savior. You know that you have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Most Roman Catholics tend to ignore their sin, until they go to confession. Jesus said sin is a big deal and God does not ignore sin. But Jesus brought good news for all sinners. God loves sinners just the way they are.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Many Roman Catholics know they are sinners, but they have never experienced the love of God. Jesus Christ died for you, personally, on the cross. His death was personal for each one of us. When you receive the free gift of salvation, you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you personally. Therefore, by faith in Jesus and His death, He saves you from your sins at the moment of faith. Many Roman Catholics have heard that Jesus died on the cross for them, but they have never prayed the prayer of salvation below and have never been born from above.
We have all sinned, so how can we remedy our sin problem? We all deserve the death penalty. Roman Catholics teach that you should do good works to get into heaven. Of course, you never know if you have done enough good works to get into heaven. Jesus provided a different way to get into heaven, and it does not include good works.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:5
Jesus offers each person the free gift of eternal life. He makes a direct offer to you right now. He said there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Because Jesus is fully man and fully God in the flesh, Jesus alone serves as the perfect Mediator. Jesus wants to be your personal Mediator and save you right now. You may have been relying upon Mary, Jude, or someone else for spiritual help. Consider Jesus as the only Mediator. He said He was the the only Mediator.
For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus also talked to very religious people and told them they must be born from above. Without being born from above, they were not going to heaven, no matter how many good things they did or what they believed about Jesus.
Question Three
What Does It Mean To Be Born from Above?
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus and said: “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). Nicodemus said five great things about Jesus and was a very religious man. Maybe you have said all those things about Jesus. Jesus then said something astonishing to Nicodemus.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
Jesus said you must be born from above to see the kingdom of God. Do you recall a day in your life when you were born from above? Consider the words of Jesus for yourself. Jesus invites you to be born from above today, so that you can see the kingdom of God.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:5
Jesus meant that you are first born of water when you mother underwent labor, her water broke, and you were born into this world. The second birth occurs when you are born of the Holy Spirit. So, do you recall a day in your life when you accepted the free gift of salvation, and you were born from above, born of the Holy Spirit of God?
Question Four
Can I Be Born from Above Right Now?
Jesus said that you can be born from above right now. You can accept the free gift of salvation by grace through faith right now.
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
Pray this prayer of faith.
Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and fall short of the glory of God.
Lord Jesus, I confess that I deserve the death penalty. I repent of my sins.
Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross in my place, because You loved me and paid the death penalty for me.
Lord Jesus, I confess you as Lord of my life.
Lord Jesus, I believe that God raised You from the dead. I accept right now Your gift of eternal life and forgiveness for all my sins, and thank You for saving me.
Lord Jesus, please come into my life as my Lord and Savior.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer in faith, please send me an email. Contact Christ Assembly
Praise God for His precious gift of love in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Peace with God │Spiritual Peace
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