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Catholic Word of the Day: MARY'S VIRGINITY, 02-26-13
CatholicReference.net ^ | 02-26-13 | Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary

Posted on 02/26/2013 4:03:26 PM PST by Salvation

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To: Salvation
Like tom h, I had a hard time grasping the concept of "once saved always saved". You understand if I say that it is hard to understand for people who come from a Catholic upbringing. The best answer I got came from a Pentecostal preacher who came to preach a revival at our Southern Baptist church. After explaining that a saved person may sin but will not live a sinful lifestyle, he asked me about the prodigal son. While he was feeding the pigs, was he any less of a son than he was while living at home? He had walked away from his father, lived a life that the father would not have approved... but he was still his son. There are 2 important lessons in this parable, one is that a son will not be happy mingling with the pigs (a saved person will sin, but the Holy Spirit will keep on convicting him), and the second is that there was never no doubt as to the father's reaction (the son did doubt, just like many sinners doubt God will forgive them).

If anything, your criticism of "once saved always saved" makes you sound like the older brother, mad because "that was not the way it was supposed to work".

I also believe that I must live my life in line with the Commandments
Of course! We agree with that! "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15), "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Eph. 2:10)... We just don't believe that our works are requirements for salvation, rather consequences of it!

41 posted on 02/28/2013 6:30:26 AM PST by Former Fetus (Saved by grace through faith)
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To: tom h
discuss this with someone who is more knowledgeable than I

Don't sell yourself so cheap, brother! I have discussed this with several pastors, but you are the first person to give me a sense of peace about my mom. I think the Holy Spirit led you in your answer to me! I don't know why I had never thought of "once saved always saved" in regard to my mom, I was always too concerned about her obsession with candles and paid masses. Thank you and may God bless you.

42 posted on 02/28/2013 6:36:46 AM PST by Former Fetus (Saved by grace through faith)
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To: Former Fetus

Blessings to you as well!

South Carolina ... hmmm ... by any chance from the Greenville area?


43 posted on 02/28/2013 11:05:21 AM PST by tom h
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To: Salvation
"I also believe that I must live my life in line with the Commandments."

Ahh ... now you bring up another of the key distinctions between Catholicism and evangelical Christianity. Salvation by faith or by works?

None of us can "keep" the Ten Commandments. None of us. We sin each day when we lie, when we have sexual fantasies, when we curse. Even the best of us commit these sins on a regular basis. When we shade the truth to our co-workers, friends, spouses, and even the IRS we are breaking the Ten Commandments. When we are arrogant, angry, and more we are breaking them as well.

And there is no partial credit for "better than others" or "good enough." The Bible says very clearly that everyone is a sinner and that all fall short of the glory of God, except Jesus.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say we shouldn't TRY to keep the Commandments. But we never will.

And because God hates ALL sin, not just the ones that we Christians and Catholics consider heinous, then here's the painful realization: He does not hold me, as a God-fearing man who lives what most people consider an exemplary life, in higher regard than the axe murderer languishing in prison, who converted through a prison ministry. I am no more worthy of heaven than the criminal.

You will not recognize this, I know, because the Catholic Church leans definitely more toward a salvation by works philosophy. And it was a very hard thing for me to swallow 20 years ago when I became a Christian. But it's eminently clear in the Bible to me.

So how to reconcile keeping the Ten Commandments, then? We have to recognize that we are better able to keep them -- still not perfect, but less likely to break them -- if we are a believer, if our hearts are right, and if we are in constant prayer and contact with God. So keeping the Commandments becomes less the result of our personal determination to keep them, but is enabled by the Holy Spirit through our faith and daily devotion.

Being saved by faith alone -- not works, which can include time and money -- means that Christians, regardless of their circumstances, remain humble in their faith. This helps fulfill Eph 2:8-9 where Paul says that none of us should boast.

Probably more answer than you wanted, but it's been enjoyable for me to write it.

44 posted on 02/28/2013 11:21:27 AM PST by tom h
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To: Former Fetus

FF, that was one nice post! Bravo ... I learn more how to express my faith every day from other Christians.


45 posted on 02/28/2013 11:56:29 AM PST by tom h
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To: tom h

No, Sumter... at least until my son graduates from high school this May.


46 posted on 02/28/2013 4:47:42 PM PST by Former Fetus (Saved by grace through faith)
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To: Former Fetus

Well, I know this would just be one opinion, but my son was admitted to Furman U for the fall, and I’m just wondering what the reputation for Furman is to regular SCers.

We live in San Diego, a long way away, but my wife’s father was a Greenville native and retired there; we visited them frequently of course in summers when the kids were young. So we do have a connection to the area; also, my son is part Furman himself on that side of the family.

You can freepmail me privately if you want to respond that way.


47 posted on 03/01/2013 6:02:03 AM PST by tom h
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