Catholic Grace, Saints, Rituals, Symbolism, Sacraments, Perseverance, Sonship, Salvation

9/20/19 Carlos (See video HERE)


I’ve written recently about Catholic guilt, but what about Catholic grace?

What happens when a young man grows up faithfully attending Catholic mass, and in the process learns that he has “sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed”, and, instead of trusting in the prayers of saints or getting distracted by the formality of prescribed rituals, he repents and turns to Jesus for forgiveness and a right relationship with God? He becomes a Christian! I don’t mean a “Protestant Christian” as opposed to the Catholic Christian he once was. I mean a Christian of the born-again variety, the kind who were once “dead in your transgressions and sins”, but are now “alive with Christ” and “saved by grace” as described in Ephesians 2. Protestants don’t have a monopoly on grace, as one might believe from its emphasis, beginning with Martin Luther’s reformation and made famous by the Protestant hymn “Amazing Grace”. Some Catholics I’ve met have found Jesus despite the trappings of church, and some even because of it as they have related to the symbolism and the sacraments. But in my experiences of talking with random people, unfortunately, they are relatively few and far between. So it was refreshing to meet a fellow believer named Carlos, a lifelong Catholic who loves Jesus and looks to him alone for the forgiveness of his sins and a right relationship with God. Carlos has persevered in his faith over the years and in our conversation consistently pointed to Jesus as the source of his hope and joy. The only thing I found troubling was that he worries he may not be able to persevere to the end. He knows he is “saved by grace through faith”, but what if he loses that faith? Can we lose our salvation once we have trusted Christ? This is a source of controversy among Christians. I believe we can’t, because we have been adopted into God’s family as described in Romans 8:15: “…the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Adoption is a commitment made by our heavenly Father, not based on our ability, and I don’t believe that once we are welcomed into the family through faith that we will be un-adopted. Salvation is spoken of in many places such as Ephesians 2, in the past tense, as a finished work. We “have been” saved, but in 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 2 Corinthians 2:15 it says we “are being saved”, and in Philippians 1:28 it says we “will be” saved. In Philippians 2:12 we are instructed to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”, and it is with this sense of awe and reverence that I believe Carlos didn’t want to take his salvation for granted and that leads to his concern that he persevere to the end. But for Carlos and others like him, including myself, who have this concern, I want to leave a word of encouragement. Right after we are told of our need for fear and trembling, vs. 13 tells us “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Earlier in vs. 6 of Phillipians 1 we are assured "...that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Repentance, faith and salvation - and the will to persevere - are a gift of God, and once God gives it and adopts us into his family, He won’t take it back. For Catholic and Protestant alike, God’s grace truly is amazing!

Thanks, Carlos, for your enthusiasm in allowing me to record our conversation. I know it's because you wanted to tell people about Jesus! It can be seen HERE at https://youtu.be/nIw32GsHL_o