Bible Question: are there catholics that are saved and if they are why do they still practice catholicism like praying to mary and saintsinstead of god or jesus i believe that is wrong to do...??????? |
Bible Answer: Dear Y2J SwFl, Greetings in the name of Jesus! I'm not sure what this has to do with "Did God create evil?" :-) Though I disagree with a great deal of (Roman) Catholic doctrine and practice, I fully believe that God saves by grace through faith all who confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;" Ephesians 2:8 NASB. "...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" Romans 10:9 NASB. I consider this faith to be the 'lowest common denominator' of salvation written in the Bible. I know that many members of the Roman Catholic Church meet this criteria, so I cannot deny their salvation. Sadly, many are members by 'inheritance or social convenience,' and have no personal faith in Christ Jesus. This does not allow us to generalize all Catholics as unsaved. As to the practice of praying to Mary or the saints, I find this to be no more sinful than worshipping wealth, status, or tradition; things which many other Christians are guilty of. Therefore, I cannot condone such practices, but neither can I condemn them to hell if they have faith in the Lord Jesus. Blessings and peace in Christ Jesus, charis |