” It isn’t arrogance to believe Scripture — and Scripture says over and over that one can absolutely be assured of salvation — through the power of Christ’s blood. “For by grace are we saved and not of ourselves lest any man should boast” (just one example, but there are many many more!) Of course one must accept Scripture as authoritative. “ <<<
Your are quite right. I believe exactly as you, and remembering that there are caveats of great number teaching us first how to obtain the Grace of which you speak
and of which is availed to us by the Blood of Christ. These teachings are sometimes quite hard, and daily. I never heard a Catholic boast of his salvation, knowing that we Catholics fall daily and do not want to die in that state at some given moment. No one enters Heaven who is not perfect. Thankfully, there is Purgatory. I though do not long for Purgatory, but Heaven. Mercy is my song.
Hi, RitaOK. I’m so glad we can have a civil discussion on this. So many times on this board posts between Catholics and Protestants get a bit heated and anything BUT civil. I think the difference lies in the sanctification process versus the justification process. Protestants hold to the Scriptural view that the latter occurs once — but we are continually “sanctified” — and that is where the fruits of the Spirit are made manifest. Those who belong to Christ though need not fear that they will not “make it” or “will die” before they can get right because they are already “right” with God. When sins are forgiven and repentance occurs it happens once for all time. Christ forgives, has forgiven and will forgive all past, future and present sins. Contrary to what some say who don’t understand this Biblical truth, this is not a “license to sin”. (Paul addresses this very issue in the NT). Those who see it as such and live accordingly (sinning as much as they wish without any conviction) are not saved. Repentance is a fundamental of salvation. Where there is no “turning” there can be no salvation. It doesn’t mean we won’t sin, but the Holy Spirit living within us will relentlessly convict us of the need to repent. It’s not repentance unto salvation at that point, for that has already occurred or we would not have the Holy Spirit. It is part of the ongoing sanctification process.
Now that’s probably a much longer and wordier response than you were looking for. Apologies.