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NASB | James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror--they have seen His wrath]! [Deut 6:4; 11:13-21; Mark 12:29] |
Subject: Have we chosen freely? |
Bible Note: 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 |