[bkaycee]

Do Catholics tell people they have to earn their way into heaven? No we do not. That grace is given by God alone.

Grace that is "merited" to perform good works is STILL WORKS.

The supposed "free grace" given by God, still requires the RC to perform the required works.

If cooperation is required to produce the works to attain heaven then its not REALLY a gift AND people CAN boast about their "grace" induced works!

Grace recieved to perform worthy Works is STILL WORKS!

The RC is then not saved by CHRIST's righteousness, but through his own achieved righteousness!

[Cronos]

did you READ what the council of Trent wrote? It’s excerpted above. We are SAVED by Christ’s righteousness. We do not merit grace but receive it as a gift. That is Church teaching. God gives us the grace to have faith. We respond to God’s grace by faith. Our faith, if it is genuine, is shown through works.