Justification... How do non-Catholic Christians differ from Catholics?

Question

Many non-Catholic Christians interpret Scriptures to say that justification is a legal act of God in which He declares the sinner to be worthy of heaven even though he continues to be a sinful creature. In your view of justification there is no internal renewal or real sanctification whether instant or through a lifelong process but simply an external application of the justice of Christ. Do I understand your position correctly and if not why?

To the Catholic Christians and many other Christians, justification is understood differently. We understand from Scriptures that justification is not the covering of sin but the eradication and the beginning of true sanctification and simultaneous renewal. The soul is transformed into goodness instead of being a sinful soul with sins covered by Christ’s blood. We see Scriptures saying that forgiveness results in a complete removal of sins. The only time the Bible mentions the covering of sin is in the context of one man’s sin being forgiven by another. One should note that we have no power to forgive another’s sin, therefore the context is that we do all we can and cover or overlook those sins against us. In relation to God and His removal of sin the Scriptures use quite different terminology such as “blot out”, “blotting out”, “clears away” and “takes away”.

Catholics see justification as a rebirth and supernatural life in a former sinner:
(Joh 3:5 DRB) Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(Tit 3:5 DRB) Not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost.

That creates an inner renewal of the soul:

(Eph 4:23 DRB) And be renewed in spirit of your mind:

Resulting in complete sanctification:

(1Co 6:11 DRB) And such some of you were. But you are washed: but you are sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.

Through this glorious process initiated by God’s grace the soul becomes beautiful, holy and worthy of heaven where nothing unclean is allowed. It is not an ugly sinful soul hidden under the blood of Jesus but instead one sanctified by Him and created anew for His glory.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 1

Indeed the Catholic Church teaches that one is justified by faith, but its teachings on this issue differ significantly from those taught by Martin Luther. Essentially, Luther taught that man was not only justified by faith alone, but saved by it as well.

The Church on the other hand teaches that we are justified i.e. receive sanctifying grace for the first time via Baptism. Baptism is the sacrament of Faith. In Baptism, the person being baptized proclaims his faith in the Holy Trinity, and renounces Satan. This is done in the recitation of the Nicene Creed. In the case of a child, this act of faith is proclaimed by the child's parents and Godparents in his stead and on his behalf.

This initial receipt of sanctifying grace is not won by any good works of the person being baptized, but by the infinite merit won by the immolation and death of Jesus on the cross, and by His subsequent resurrection. By way of His sacrifice, death and resurrection, Jesus won grace for us and without any action on our part. Thus, He opened the gates of Heaven to us, on our behalf. We access or claim this grace by being baptized in the Faith.

Holy Scripture is clear, that once sanctifying grace has been granted by God, it can be lost through mortal sin. This is one place where both good works and seeking forgiveness of sin comes into play. Another is where we will receive our earned merit or "treasure" in Heaven, based upon the nature and extent of good deeds that we perform on Earth. The citations of Holy Scripture regarding good works are many.


See:

http://www.call2holiness.org/faith.html

Answer 2

Wow! This is something I have been thinking about A LOT!
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justification is not the covering of sin but the eradication and the beginning of true sanctification and simultaneous renewal. The soul is transformed into goodness
Through this glorious process initiated by God’s grace the soul becomes beautiful, holy and worthy of heaven
where nothing unclean is allowed. It is not an ugly sinful soul hidden under the blood of Jesus but instead one
sanctified by Him and created anew for His glory
********************************************
The word that comes to mind is "evolve"
I don't mean this in a sense of Scientific evolution, I am thinking more in terms of:
To develop gradually
to unfold or expand
Could I drop you an email to ask a few more questions about this?

Answer 3

The World Lutheran Federation and the Vatican came to an agreement about Justification by Grace(alone) through Faith that works through Love(Gal5:4-6) in the JOINT DECLARATION ON JUSTIFICATION which can be read on the net

Answer 4

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

My FATHER, is in HEAVEN, Not in ROME----If my BIBLE tells me that all I need to do is go to GOD almighty in the name of "JESUS", for repentance, and forgiveness of my sins, then how come all of your priest's and pope's keep trying to fool, the people into believing that you guys can actually take away the sins of a person . GOD is not "MOCKED". I keep asking this question to the church of rome and I can never get a straight answer. you guys are not JESUS, but instead you guys insult him. by just betraying him. look I don't hate you people I just wish for once you guys would wise up to the truth. GLORY be to GOD ALMIGHTY, GLORY be to his SON JESUS, and to the HOLY SPIRIT for all time

Answer 6

I find Catholics to be more hypocritical and less accepting than a non Catholic Christian