The work of God IS to believe. All other works are poured forth out of belief. If one says a sinner’s prayer truly believing then at that twinkling of an eye they are saved forever. They are born again, translated from the kingdom of darkness into God’s glorious Kingdom of Light. Old things are passed away, behold all things have become new. If they are really saved then other works will proceed out of a heart that has been made alive by The Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ died for us once for all times. Please do not think that He needs to be crucified over and over for you to remain saved. When He gave up His last breath, He said “it is finished”. The work of salvation was wrought by His perfect life being sacrificed to pay for all of our sins. We were buried with Him, and raised with Him. Praise be to God who lives forever.
In the Religion forum, on a thread titled Grace, Faith, and Works, Bellflower wrote:
If one says a sinner’s prayer truly believing then at that twinkling of an eye they are saved forever.
Well, no.
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Shalom.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Shalom. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.””
~ John 20:19-23
**Please do not think that He needs to be crucified over and over for you to remain saved.**
The Catholic Church doesn’t believe this — why do you?
through Baptism that you were saved, just as the Bible says in 1 Ptr 3:20-21 and that it is through Baptism, water and the Spirit, that you are “born again,” just as the Bible says in John 3:5.You see, many Protestants believe that they are saved by making one single act of faith at one single point in time in their lives. Nowhere does Scripture say such a thing. As Catholics, however, we believe that salvation is a process which begins with our Baptism and continues throughout our lifetimes, just as the Bible teaches us.
There are so many places in Scripture, which talk about how one is “saved”, but not one of them says we are saved by one act of faith at just one point in time. As I just mentioned, 1 Ptr 3:20 says we are saved by baptism. In Hebrews 12:14 it says that we will not see the Lord unless we are holy, and that we have to strive for this holiness. In Matthew 6:14-15, it says we must forgive others or we will not be forgiven. Can you attain salvation if God hasn’t forgiven you? No! So, our forgiving others is necessary for our salvation.
1 Tim 2:15 says that woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with modesty. John 6:54 says we will have eternal life by doing something…eating the flesh and drinking the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Matthew 19, verses 16 and 17, Jesus is asked directly what one must do to have eternal life. Did He say, accept me into your heart once and that’s it? No! Jesus said to keep the commandments and you will have life.
Yes, as Catholics we are born again. And, as Catholics we believe that we were saved, as Paul says in Rom 8:24; that we are being saved, as Paul says in 1 Cor 1:18; and that we will be saved, as Paul says in Rom 5:9-10, provided we persevere and keep our eyes on the prize. Salvation is a process, just as Catholics believe, and just as the Bible clearly teaches.