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Thursday, May 9, 2013

A grain of truth

I have found, in most cases, when Protestants contradict Catholic doctrine, they are wrong, but not entirely. What I mean to say is that the Catholic Church is always right, Catholic doctrine contains no error. But, at the same time, Protestant doctrine contains a grain of truth. Just as an example. Faith alone is dead. But faith is necessary for justification. Faith, in this case, is the grain of truth in the Protestant doctrine. They have simply left out the works necessary to prove that faith (James 2:14).
In this case, although Scripture never expressly states that “transference of righteousness occurs from Christ to the believer”. However, it is clear that there is some sort of transference going on. Scripture says:

Romans 5:
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

This is not an “empty handed” transference however. As Romans 2:13 says:
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

So that shows that righteousness is “credited”. And is there any difference between “credited” and “merited”? Those who do the law, have “merited” justification.

This idea is very Sacramental because, as any Catholic knows, we present ourselves to receive the Eucharist (and thus eternal life) only in a proper attitude and disposition of faith and in a state of grace.

Any thoughts?

Sincerely,

De Maria

2 comments:

  1. Hi De Maria,

    Credited and merited, both words are totally different I thought.

    Credited means recognition or approval for an act and merited means deserve or to earn.

    If these words ,we apply in our faith to our Lord Jesus, then it should be together because we use them because these words are compliment to each other as shown from bible verses which you quote.

    The problem with our protestants brother and sister, they have tendency to create false dilemma by choosing one word only, faith or work. It is ridiculous just to have faith alone, what we are going to do with ten commandments in the OT and plus commandment of LOVE in the NT.

    Most of all GOD creates us in his image and He gives us Freewill to obey Him or not.

    Sincerely, Anna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is true Anna,

      Scripture says:
      Hebrews 11:6
      But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

      Therefore God takes into account our good works in obedience to Him.

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

      Your servant in Christ,

      De Maria

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