God's joy is more repentant sinners than righteous persons
Sat, 03/14/2009 - 10:59 | by Bruno
"there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" Luke 15
Comments
Yes....good word!!! In fact, the Bible tells us that no man is righteous in and of himself, which is why we need Christ's righteousness...and that is exactly what He gives us when we confess our sin, and repent of it.
Gal. 3:6 -- Abraham had faith, and it was accounted to Him for righteousness.
Beloved Branch
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Ps. 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies
Of course I agree with you April
We are all sinners and believing that we are righteous in ourselves is the beginning of spiritual pride and Pharisaism (which is an awful sin that brings blindness and closing of heart)
In Christ
B.
"If I had committed all possible crimes, I would still have the same confidence; I would feel that this multitude of offenses would be like a drop of water thrown into a flaming furnace" Therese of the Child Jesus
Yes...absolutely...and yet, it's amazing how many people still try to earn their way into heaven, by their own works. You see it in every major religion and cult. Some of them may twist the idea, but the idea still remains -- Salvation through works (or mostly works), rather than grace
Evangelical Christianity, is, in fact, the only belief system that depends upon the work of another for eternal salvation....every other belief system revolves around justification through one's own efforts.
Beloved Branch
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Ps. 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies
This is a very interesting subject...I don't want to argue too strongly because I don't think it is the place for ...but as a catholic, I can't NOT react in so far as the doctrine of grace and salvation is very more complex in catholic Church (which is mine) than you describe it... Just one point : grace is ALWAYS a free gift from God. And you are saved only by the free grace of God...In a strict roman catholic point of view, even a saint cannot DESERVE grace by his own efforts, it is always FREE. "Edited by Admin"
Love and blessings
Bruno
"The love of Christ urges us" St Paul.... TODAY !. "TOMORROW is Satan's favourite word" Alphonse of Liguori
Hi, Bruno;
I agree 100% with your comments. I realize that my use of the term "Evangelical Christianity" may have been a bad choice of words. I know that Catholics are not Evangelicals, and I don't doubt what you say about their emphasis on grace.
I was not trying to distance myself from Catholics as much as from those cults that claim to be Christian (i.e. Mormons and JWs), yet do not hold to the doctrines of the Bible. They will tell you that they are Christians, yet many of their beliefs contradict Scripture -- and every one of them emphasizes a works-based salvation.
Beloved Branch
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Ps. 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies
Hi April
Sorry to have misunderstood your comment. I agree with you too on the misinterpration and rewriting of Bible made by the cults you quote.
Nonetheless the point where might differ, you and me, is the salvific value of acts led by supernatural grace such as penance, prayers or even martyrdom IF, of course, they are made with charity (cf St Paul : if I have...but not Charity -> valueless )
God bless you my friend
Bruno
"The love of Christ urges us" St Paul.... TODAY !. "TOMORROW is Satan's favourite word" Alphonse of Liguori
I don't talk only about value for the actor but also for the other... The idea that when you offer a penance to God it can be salvific not only for you... but also for the people for whom you offer it...
"The love of Christ urges us" St Paul.... TODAY !. "TOMORROW is Satan's favourite word" Alphonse of Liguori
God's heart is so for us ;)
Our pastor said Sunday that the reason the father of the prodgial son didn't let him say his "I am sorry" speech that he worked on a the way home is because the the Father had been working on his "welcome home" speech a lot longer -
I just loved that :)
Carolemarie
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