Catholics and Protestants, Part 3: Can we meekly admit the “pits” that we are prone to fall in?

Question

*Some* Protestants slide into error when stating that salvation is by faith alone while believing that good works play no role in the Christian life.

Is the “fruit” of this “pit” licentiousness, lack of repentance, and false assurance?

*Some* Catholics slide into error when stating that salvation is by faith and works while believing that good works earn and/or merit justification with God.

Is the “fruit” of this “pit” legalism, condemnation, and complete lack of assurance?
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Are the true “wheat” united in the truth that salvation is by grace through faith that leads to a Spirit-led life abounding and overflowing in the fruit of the Holy Spirit (namely: love), who works in and through us to do His will and pleasure, even the good works prepared beforehand for us to do for His glory?

And by living and walking in such truth by the power of the Holy Spirit, don’t we avoid licentiousness AND legalism, lack of repentance AND condemnation, false assurance AND lack of assurance?

Answer 1

Why must you divide this by Catholic vs. Protestant? There are true believers in both Churches, and there are those who are deceiving themselves and others in both churches. I happen to to think that you are more likely to hear the real gospel in a Protestant Church, but in many mainline denominations that is becoming less true.

We are saved through faith, by grace, because of the death of Christ, who is the only mediator between God and man. We walk in the spirit, which means we follow the Holy Spirits lead, which will result in good works and obedience. If a person's faith does not show in good works, then I seriously question whether that faith is real, of course only that person and God know, and even that person may have fooled themselves.

I think this question would be more accurately directed as, "Do some Christians..... while other Christians...." as opposed to, "Do some Protestants.... Do some Catholics...." Because you will even find some Protestants falling into the error of trusting in works, and some Catholics who fall into the error of thinking that good works aren't important.

Seriously though, there is a lot more about the Catholic Church that is un-biblical than just the faith/works thing. What about praying to other beings besides God, Purgatory, believing that the Pope is infallible when he speaks "from the chair of Peter", etc.

Answer 2

I like the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine 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 3

If we let the Holy Spirit guide us rather than our pride, we will not be falling into the above mentioned pits.

Answer 4

First of all, thanks for now not being impolite! You are one of the crucial first to truthfully desire to understand the reality, and now not simply posting ignorant questions. two. Well, Catholics do not particularly have the identify of "Chief Saint", she is Queen of all Saints and above different saints. She is targeted to us considering that she willingly permitted God's plan for her, despite the fact that her society might now not brazenly be given her. We additionally think that Mary used to be conceived in her mom (St. Anne's) womb with out the stain of Original Sin. three. I don't pray to any saint. That is idolatry and towards Church legislation and God's legislation. My favourite saints are; St. Anne -my client saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Agnes, and St. Maximillian Kolbe. four. No, considering that we ask the saints to intercede our prayers for us - it is similar to asking a buddy to wish for you considering that anyone died, or you are simply going via difficult instances. five. Well, asking them to wish for me has made all of the change. God finally solutions my prayers, and the saints simply intercede my pray to Him. I believe any Christian might say that God offers us force in our instances of want.

Answer 5

-charity (never fails) doesn't fall into either pit
-no partiality is never about *some*, but "ALL"

Answer 6

Consider me wheat! That is exactly how I feel about it!