Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | reilly1041 | 87053 | ||
Emmaus, I have been trying to read the Catechism (which isn't the mostly easily read book!) on the whole Catholic position on salvation, which I think is broadly misunderstood by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Here is what I have gleaned from the Catechism, and please advise if this is correct: (1) Justification is a free gift from God (as your previous post stated) (2) Because of the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves the graces needed for our sanctification and for the attainment of eternal life. It's the 2nd part that sounds like salvation by works, but in actuality, the Catechism seems to go to great pains to stress that our works are only possible by the Holy Spirit, the merit of our good works are attributed to God first. Below is one section of the Catechism to which I refer: 2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God's wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions. Is my "nutshell" representation accurate? I ask this in this forum because I think many of the non-Catholics here may be interested. Thanks, reilly |
||||||
2 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | Emmaus | 87057 | ||
Reilly, I would phrase it slightly differently. Initial justification is by grace alone. Any subsequent merit we may attain by works are in the deepest sense also the merits of Christ, because we are in Christ being conformed to Him by God's grace. So in a sense we are building with our works in Him, on the firm foundation which is Him, with the grace He has freely and gratuitously given us to attain an increase in grace which is called sanctification or which Trent called an increase in justification. Emmaus |
||||||