What is "sound doctrine"?

Doctrine means Teaching. Strangely enough, it also means Tradition. Yes, Tradition means Teaching. Let me show you. 
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Let them debate!

As you know, I've been praying that third parties will  participate in the Presidential debates this year.  I feel like the Democrats and Republicans have made poor choices this year for our Presidential candidates and I believe we should be informed about who else is out there in order that we can pick the best person for the job.  To that end, please sign this petition:

https://www.johnsonweld.com/debate

It is a request that the Libertarian Ticket be permitted to participate in the debates.  They are the closest to the 15% requirement and the only ones registered in all 50 states.  

Don’t neglect to do the good works which God commands.

Discussing and debating religion is not as important as keeping God's Commandments.  In essence, they amount to claims of faith.  In other words, everything is important.  But the most important thing, is to keep God's commandments.

1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Faith which works by love is the equivalent of keeping the Commandments:

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

And it is they who will be saved:

Revelation 22:14

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

In my opinion, the most important thing to God is that we keep His Commandments. Those Christians who keep His Commandments will be saved in this life by virtue of the Sacraments and in the age to come by virtue of the righteous judgement of God.

Those non-Catholics who keep His Commandments will be saved in the age to come by virtue of the righteous judgement of God.

Those who do not keep His Commandments will not be saved. For God, actions speak louder than words. Speaking and teaching is great, but don’t neglect to do the other good works which God commands.

The difference between prayer, worship and Liturgy

There is very little difference between the words "prayer" and "worship". But they do not mean exactly the same thing.

The basic difference in this day and age, is that worship is only directed to God but prayer can be directed to either God or the Saints.

So, what is prayer?

Let us begin by studying about the word, "prayer", what it means today and what it used to mean long ago.

To pray is to communicate with God or the Saints, our faith, our love, and our wants. So, we can say that prayer is communication.

Prayer today is basically considered an act of faith in God. An act of worship. A Catholic and Protestant can agree upon this. But, for some strange reason, Protestants tend to give a word one meaning and deny the fact that most words have multiple meanings. Therefore they deny the fact that prayer has another very important definition, and it is still seen in books which are written in the ancient language. One of those is the King James Bible:

Luke 14:18
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Notice that in this verse, the word "pray" is used in the sense of petition, beseeching or begging. And this is the other sense which the Church recognizes in the word, "prayer".

Therefore, today, there are at least three religious senses to the word "pray".

1. We can pray to God in the sense of praise, worship or adoration.
2. We can pray to God in the sense of petition or request.
3. This one requires a bit of further explanation. As we have seen, a prayer or request can be addressed to anyone, God or man. In the Old Testament, prayer was addressed to God and man. But prayer was not addressed to the dead, faithful or not.

However, there is a New Dispensation in the New Testament. Jesus has shown us that those who die in the state of grace are counted amongst the living:

John 11:26
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die….

To prove this, Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah on the top of the mountain:

Matthew 17
King James Version (KJV)
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

And Scripture tells us that all the Baptized are now on top of that mountain with the Saints:

Hebrews 12:21-24
King James Version (KJV)
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

And so, in the New Testament era, we can make prayers of praise and petition to the Saints who went before us to the heavenly Kingdom.

We do not worship them, but we do acknowledge the love of God towards them as we do towards all our fellow men.

So what is worship?

In our explanation of the word "prayer", we used the word "worship" a couple of times already. Like prayer, worship has a meaning which is universally accepted and another which is no longer used frequently, an archaic sense.

To worship is to acknowledge and praise God's authority and power over us. In today's world, worship is only directed to God.

However, worship was not always exclusively directed to God. We can see this in the ancient text of the King James Bible where Joshua worships the angel:

Joshua 5:14
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?

However, Joshua was merely showing reverence for an authoritative figure. In older times, in America and Britain, Kings and Judges were referred to as "your worship". Because of the recognition of their authority and power.

The online dictionary says:

archaic honor given to someone in recognition of their merit.
[as title] (His/Your Worship) chiefly British used in addressing or referring to an important or high-ranking person, especially a magistrate or mayor:
we were soon joined by His Worship the Mayor

Today, we no longer use the word, worship, to describe the honor we give anyone but God. Instead we use the words reverence, honor and veneration.

I'm sure you've noticed that prayer and worship have much in common. They are almost synonymous when it comes to prayer directed to God. Prayer directed to God is the worship of God. Because any prayer directed to God acknowledges and praises His power and authority over our lives.

Indirectly, prayer directed to the Saints is the worship of God because in doing so, we also acknowledge the great thing which God has done through that Saint. Much like when we praise a painting. When we praise a painting we indirectly praise the painter who made the painting. When we praise a Saint and acknowledge the holiness of the Saint, we indirectly acknowledge the God who made the Saint.

Liturgy

Liturgy is the work of man. It is frequently called the Mass. It is the public gathering of the people of God to acknowledge God's authority and power over our lives. Therefore, worship is the main purpose of the Liturgy. However, the Liturgy includes every form of prayer we can offer to God. Praise, glory, honor, thanksgiving, petition, sacrifice, etc. It also includes rites and rituals which were commanded by God that we should do in remembrance of His Son.

Many people think that private prayer and worship are all that is necessary and that Liturgy is optional. But that is far wrong. It is clearly explained in Scripture that God takes great offense with those who do not honor Him in the Liturgy on the appointed day:

Hebrews 10:25-31
King James Version (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Heavenly Liturgy

What is the heavenly Liturgy? Scripture reveals that the saints and angels in heaven are always praying to God. Therefore, we are taught that all our prayers on earth are linked to the prayers of the angels in heaven.

This is especially true in the Mass. Where we believe that we, humans on earth, join the whole cohort of heaven in proclaiming God's glory. This is why the Church recommends that we pray continually in order that we may always be united to the Mass and to the heavenly Liturgy of the saints and angels.

With that in mind, through the centuries the Church has given us many tools in order to encourage us to pray continually.

Adoration
The Liturgy of the hours
The Rosary
The Divine Mercy chaplet

and many, many other devotions are taught by and supported by the Church. We should take advantage of these and to the yearnings in our heart in order to always remain united to God, wherever we may be.

I hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything which needs clarifying. See also New Dispensation and Prayer for the dead.

Election 2016, Pray and work!

I am so thankful to God!  I believe He is answering our prayer  (See Election Novena 2016).  

Since then, I learned some things.

There are more choices for President.

They need to be included in the Presidential debates in order for the Country to take them seriously.

There’s a website that helps you identify the candidate that matches your issues.

We need to pray and work to make these other candidates known.

Let’s start with the last one.

We need to pray and work to make these other candidates known.

I’m not going to vote for anyone that I don’t trust.  Therefore, I’m not going to vote for Hillary or Trump.  So, I’m asking you to join me in prayer again, that the Presidential Debate Committee will open the debates for third party candidates.  To date, as far as I know, only one third party is being considered.  The Libertarian Party.  And yes, I do trust those candidates more than I trust either Hillary or Trump.  They both sound very honest and have a proven track record as Governors, where they successfully improved the quality of life in their respective states.  I also like their idea that they will run the country as co-Presidents.  It reminds me of the way the Catholic Church was moved to Rome by Sts. Peter and Paul.

But, I have learned that there are other Parties out there, who have not been given attention by the Media.  Letting them into the debates would allow the voting public to be more completely informed on the options that they have for President.

There’s a website that helps you identify the candidate that matches your issues.

Isidewith.com (https://www.isidewith.com/elections/2016-presidential-quiz).

Until I went to this website, I thought I was a one issue voter.  But, they offer a quiz which is very detailed.  You even have the option to write in some of your answers.  I did, on two or three occasions.  It took me about an hour to complete the quiz.  It came up with several candidates in order of which I matched more closely.  I only looked as deeply as the first five and I don’t remember how many choices it produced.  But it was nice to know that we are not necessarily locked in to the two candidates that the Media and the Establishment are trying to shove down our throats.

They need to be included in the Presidential debates in order for the Country to take them seriously.

Folks, we’ve prayed for God to give us candidates worthy of our vote.  God has revealed that there are other people out there.  Now, let’s work to get these people on the Presidential debates and in the News so that we can make an informed decision on who we want for President.  To that end, I ask you to again, join me in prayer.  This time to the Patron Saint of Politicians.

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of prudence. You never thrust yourself rashly into any serious undertaking; instead, you tested the strength of your powers and waited on God's will in prayer and penance, then boldly carried it out without hesitation. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtues of patience, prudence, wisdom and courage. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God's Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God's will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely that the Presidential Debate Committee be persuaded to permit Third Parties to participate in the Presidential Debates.

V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.

R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.

In Conclusion

Folks, thanks for participating with me.  I hope that you agree with me that the People of these United States deserve better than the two choices which are now being forced upon us.  And I hope you will join me in bringing these other choices to light, so that we can all make an informed decision.

I firmly believe that a vote for someone in whom we don’t trust, is a wasted vote!  Let’s identify good people to vote for.  And let’s vote for them.

What does it mean, to walk worthy of the Lord?

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

To walk worthy of the Lord, is to obey the Lord or to conduct oneself (i.e. walk) in a manner which the Lord finds pleasing or meritorious (i.e. worthy).

The statement, to walk worthy of the Lord, has the Judgment strictly in view. The Apostle is admonishing us to do the righteous things which God requires of us if we want to receive eternal life. As it is written:

Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Only those who obey Christ will be saved

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Those who do not want to obey Christ, simply do not love Christ:
John 14: 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law," (Rom. 3:28).

Only those who work are justified. But not by their works. They are justified by God because they work in accordance to His Will. Again, as it is written:

Romans 2:13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness," (Rom. 4:5).

This is a reference to Abraham. Did Abraham work? Sure he did. By faith Abraham obeyed God:
Hebrews 11: 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

That is the obedience of faith. It isn't faith alone. But faith accompanied by works of obedience.

“I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly," (Gal. 2:21).

Righteousness does not come through the Law. But the Law leads us to righteousness:
Galatians 3: 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:1-3).

The Law justifies no man. But if you don't keep the Law in the Commandments, God won't justify you. Very simple.

If you don't add to faith, virtue and works of charity, God will not save you.

2 Peter 1 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Only those who obey Christ receive that salvation which God promised to the righteous

Only those who obey Christ will be saved: Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
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Do we kill Jesus over and over again, in the Mass?

Protestant anti-Catholics like to accuse the Church of killing Jesus over and over again in the Mass. This is due to their lack of knowledge about Old Testament practices. In this case, they don’t understand Old Testament “sacrifice”. 
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Election Novena 2016

If you're anything like me, you're probably asking yourself, "how could this happen in America?" Yep, folks, I can't bear to choose between Hillary or Trump. I don't want either one of those to be Commander in Chief of our country. 

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Purgatory described in 1 Cor 3

NC says:
1 Corinthians 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Love this passage too. Speaks measures about motives, faith and works. God bless.

Amen! A perfect depiction of the state of Purgatory.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Election Novena 2016

My family and I just started praying a Novena to St. Jude that God may provide us with a Godly person to lead our country.  I hope that all of you are praying for the same cause.  Especially considering the top 2 characters which have been nominated this year.

Novena To St. Jude 

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,  the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult  cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is  almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive  the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and  sufferings, particularly - that God may grant us Godly men for whom we may vote who will uphold His will.

- and that I may praise  God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be  ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as  my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.
Amen

PRAYER

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the  tabernacles until the end of time. Amen.

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen

St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen.

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity.
(say this prayer, followed by the Our Father and the Hail Mary)

Is St. Paul confusing?

Scripture says:

2 Peter 3:15And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

In this article, I would like to explain:

1. What, in my opinion, is confusing about St. Paul's theology.

2. How it is different from the theology of the other New Testament authors and

3. What I believe is Martin Luther's misunderstanding.

TWO JUSTIFICATIONS

In my understanding of Catholic doctrine, there are two types of justification:

1. By faith and works

Repentance (i.e. conversion), is the acquisition of faith and the virtues by the grace of God.

1989 The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus' proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high. "Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.

This justification occurs at the beginning of conversion and after and between the justification of the Sacraments.

2. By faith apart from works

This is justification "sacramental is", wherein God washes away our sins according to our faith:

1992 Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.

Justification in the Sacraments is a work of God. We rest from our works and let God wash away our sins with the washing of the Holy Spirit:

1116 Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.

1131 The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.

That disposition is one of faith:

1127 Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies. The Father always hears the prayer of his Son's Church which, in the epiclesis of each sacrament, expresses her faith in the power of the Spirit. As fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life whatever is subjected to his power.

THE BEGINNING OF THE CONFUSION

This is the beginning of the confusion. This is why St. Peter said that St. Paul's teachings were sometimes confusing. And why St. James thought St. Paul was teaching against Moses:

Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

Why? Because St. Paul understood the Sacraments. He preached justification by faith APART from works:

Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Notice how he repeatedly says here, "faith OF Christ". He is not speaking about believing in Christ. He is speaking about the observance of the rituals instituted by Christ in His new way. He is speaking of the Sacraments.

THE DIFFERENCE IN PREACHING

This, I believe, is the difference between St. Paul and the other Apostles preaching. Although all parties understood the washing away of sin in the Sacraments and the perfection of faith in works. The other Apostles did not seem to understand why St. Paul seemed to be denouncing good works in one breath (see above) and commending them to the highest degree in another:

Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

I'm of the opinion that all the New Testament authors understood Gal 5:6, but only St. Paul understood Gal 2:16.

LUTHER'S ERROR

And this, I also believe, is Luther's error. Except that Luther, lacking the guidance of the Holy Spirit which protected the Apostles from error, did fall because he did not connect the Sacramental teaching of St. Paul. Luther recognized the Sacraments and he recognized the perfection of the sinner. But he applied St. Paul's teaching wrongly across the board. He failed to recognize the difference between the justification (i.e. perfection) that occurs as a result of the effort of the man of God:

2 Peter 1:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

CONCLUSION

I believe it is very important that we should all understand the Sacraments. Because it is in the Sacraments that we are juistified by faith, apart from works. I've spoken to too many Catholics who speak as though the only way to be justified is by faith AND works. Whereas it is clear, that God justifies us in the Sacraments, without any effort on our part. The Sacraments are God's mighty works.

If we don't understand this difference, we will never understand why brother Luther fell away.

Let me know what you think.

A man can lose his salvation

De Maria October 27, 2012 at 1:15 AM

Hi Christopher Lake,

You said:

I am a former Catholic convert (from agnosticism). Do you know that the majority of the original Protestant Reformers (and those, like me, who follow in their footsteps today, such as Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists) did not hold to the articulation of “Once Saved, Always Saved” found here, but rather to the “Perserverance of the Saints,” which is a very different doctrine?

I didn’t know that.

It is true that genuine Christians will lead lives which are characterized by a hunger for holiness. If a person claims to be a Christian, trusting in Christ for his/her salvation, yet that person is not fighting sin and doing good works, he/she is quite likely not a genuine Christian.

That sounds reasonable.

Scripture states clearly that only the person who endures *to the end* (in faith) will be saved.

That is the Catholic Teaching.

However, Scripture also claims (of the converted person, the Christian) that “He (God) who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV) According to this verse, God began the good work in us through bringing us to conversion, and He will complete the good work in us that He began. He leaves no person who has been born again in such a state that the person can somehow become “un-born again.” This being said, God will complete His good work in us through our *perseverance* in the faith– which He Himself *ensures.*

Your stated assumption is that God “leaves no person who has been born again in such a state that the person can somehow become “un-born again.”

But this contradicts Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

St. Peter addresses this error more pointedly:
2 Peter 2:20-22
King James Version (KJV)
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Therefore, it seems to me that your assumption that God saves all who are born again, is false, when compared to Scripture.

Again, from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (2:12-13) We persevere in the faith– all *true* Christians do. We do so though, because God works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. This is the Reformed, *Biblical* doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints (all Christians being called “saints” in the Bible, not just those who have been canonized).

1. All Christians are saints, that is Catholic Teaching. Have you ever heard of the communion of saints? That means that the saints on earth communicate with the saints in heaven.
2. The Reformed doctrine of the Perseverence of the Saints, is that precisely, a reformed innovation of the Gospel of Christ. In the Gospel of Christ, many who receive the Word fall away. God does not continue to work in them because they refuse to cooperate with God’s will:
Matthew 7:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Two last verses which show that for those who have been truly converted, they *will* persevere in the faith, *and* their salvation can also never be lost:

Let’s unpack those verses in context and in order.

“For those whom He foreknew

\Whom did He foreknow? He is God, so that means He foreknew everyone.

He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,

That would be all mankind, wouldn’t it:
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

That just says that God made us in order that we might become brothers of Christ:
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

For those whom He predestined He also called,

I believe Catholics and Protestants agree that God calls everyone with no exception.
1 Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

and those whom He called He also justified,

Here, the unspoken assumption must be that those who were called and obeyed:
Hebrews 5:9
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

For many are called, as the Scripture says:
Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

and those whom He justified He also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30, ESV)

Again, the assumption is that the justified did not turn away.
John 15:2-6
King James Version (KJV)
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

And these are the elect.
Matthew 24:31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Those who remain. They who have persevered to the end and did not fall:
2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

In the second verse here, anyone who is predestined and called is also justified and glorified. There is no category left for people who were predestined, called, and justified, but who later lost their salvation.

Only if you read the Scripture without correlating to the rest of Scripture. If you allow two verses to contradict themselves, then that is what you get, two contradicting Scriptures. Scripture teaches that men can fall away from the faith. Therefore it is impossible that Scripture also teaches that men do not fall away from the faith.

1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

If a person has been predestined, called, and justified by God, this verse states that he/she *will* be glorified. Again, this will not happen without the person’s perseverance in the faith to the end, but the perseverance is once which is empowered and ensured by God (Philippians 1:6. 2:12-13).

That is reasonable if you are looking at it from the end. From the perspective of who is in heaven. Without God, they would not have persevered. That is Catholic Teaching.

But if you are looking at it from an earthly perspective and your understanding, as you seem to have explained earlier, is that everyone who is called will be justified and everyone justified will be glorified, you are wrong. It contradicts Catholic Teaching and the teaching of Scripture which Heb 6:6-10 and 2 Pet 2:20-22 clearly show.

This is what Protestant Reformed Christians believe. The “Once Saved, Always Saved” easy-believism without obedience to God is a relatively recent invention and is *not* faithful to the Protestant Reformation.

Depending upon what you mean above, it is either right or wrong. That which is right is in accordance with Catholic Teaching. That which is wrong is not.

Christopher Lake October 17, 2009 at 5:46 AMTypo– I meant to write, in in the last section of my comment that “this (glorification) will not happen without the person’s perseverance in the faith to the end, but the perseverance is *one* (rather than “once”– the typo to which I referred) which is empowered and ensured by God. I would love to read your reply to my (admittedly lengthy) comment! Take care and be blessed!

I don’t think the typo makes a difference in your meaning or my reply. I hope that you come back and read this reply and that it is helpful to you.

May you also be blessed exceedingly,

De Maria

If a person has faith, then works will be present

De Maria October 26, 2012 at 11:57 PM

Hi Terry,

I was blissfully reading through Ray’s website when I ran across this comment, to which apparently, no one responded. Soooo…here’s my attempt.

You said,
Terry July 19, 2008 at 2:22 AMHi Steve, we are really saved by the Lord Jesus alone – not the Lord Jesus plus are own works .

That’s a false dichotomy Terry. Have you not read in Scripture?

Philippians 2:11-13
King James Version (KJV)
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The works which we do in obedience to Christ for our salvation are in fact God’s work through us.

However if a person has faith then good works will be present.

That is the Catholic Teaching.

Please consider the following passage and my bried comment.

Romans 5:6 “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

When we were powerless means when we were without grace.
Christ died for the ungodly means that Christ died for all men. Ungodly means mortal.

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

Christ died not just for the good but also for the wicked, that they might be repent and turn to God:
Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

And this, through no work of our own. This is the salvation apart from works to which St. Paul so frequently refers. Christ died for us because it was in the eternal plan of God. Christ died as an example that we should follow in His steps:
1 Peter 2:21
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Christ died that we would take up our Cross and also be saved:
Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

But this is no teaching about faith alone. It is by the grace of God that Jesus came to this earth, the only begotten Son of God, to die on the Cross that we might have life. Without any effort on our part. In fact, He came because so many men were not making any effort to do the good works of God and He provided the example they needed in order to turn to the Father and be saved.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

We-means the Baptized believers in Christ.
Justified by His blood-means justified in the Sacraments of Christ.
Saved from God’s wrath through Him-means by obedience to His Commands:
John 14:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

When we were God’s enemies means when we were living in the flesh, sinning without repentance:
Romans 6:16-17
King James Version (KJV)
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

What Paul is saying is that if God did the greater that is – saved us when we were powerless while we were ungodly sinners and his enemies then how much more shall we be saved now we are his children and part of His family.

St. Paul is taking poetic license. God does not save unrepentant sinners. God saves REPENTANT SINNERS. God saves the righteous. God saves those who have kept His Commandments:
Romans 2:1-7
King James Version (KJV)
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Having become a child of God,

First you must be Baptized. Prior to that you must have accepted the grace of conversion, which is the gift of faith (Rom 4:16), turned to God and begun to seek Him (Rom 5:2, Heb 11:6). And then, seeking Him, studied to show yourself approved (2 Tim 2:15). And then, having learned God’s will, repented of your sins and begun to do the works which God prepared from the beginning (Eph 2:8-10, Acts 26:20)
the Ten Commandments. And then, request Baptism from the Church believing that God can do that which He promised (Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16). Then one becomes a child of God having been washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism (Titus 3:5).

having been Adopted by Him, having been joined to Christ and transferred into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son do you think its possible that one day He could disown you, kick you out of his family and transfer you back to the kingdom of darkness. It was unthinkable for Paul.

Which Paul? Certainly not the one who wrote the New Testament Epistles:
Hebrews 10:25-31
King James Version (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

2 Corinthians 5:10-12
King James Version (KJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Every blessing Terry

And to you,

Sincerely,

De Maria