Are Catholics "Saved?"
This entry was posted on 4/25/2007 12:33 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
How many times have you been asked this by well-meaning people, ever in your own family?
First what does it mean to be saved? Usually, bible-believing Christians acknowledge those are saved who have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior in their hearts. Sometimes but not always, baptism is a sign of this reality and not a means to salvation. Note that the act of saving is generally a one-time event, in the past, with eternal consequences. Furthermore some Christians believe that once acquired salvation cannot be lost. Protestantism is based on Martin Luther's assertion that faith ALONE is necessary for salvation, apart from any work a human can do. Note however that the one accepting salvation (by accepting Jesus Christ as personal. . .etc) does act/work: that person decides.
The above is a broad and nuances certainly abound. I cannot explain adequately what Protestants (and some fallen-away Catholics) believe. BUT I can give one explanation of the Catholic belief that is bible-based, historically maintained and reasonable.
Begin with yes. Catholics are saved. The Church's perspective tells us we have been saved, we are being saved even now, and we will be saved until death. We are working out our salvation in fear and trembling (see Philippians 2.12). God has sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save us.
We as Catholics do place are faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son, as Lord and Savior, for an individual but also for all the world. Our spiritual goal is to be counted among the saints in Heaven.
What are we saved from? We are saved from our own sinful nature and sin(s) that entered the world with our first parents' disobedience. We are saved from death, the fruit of sin. We are saved for eternal life with God. God, who created us in love in His own image, desires the we (and all) know, love, serve and enjoy Him now and in eternity. Sin is estrangement, rebellion, rejection and anything against God's will for us.
In the fullness of time, God sent His Son to save us from this terrible fate of alienation. Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God offers us forgiveness of sin and escape from punishment. Being saved is more than being reconciled to God. For Catholics Christ also opens the way to full restoration of our friendship, our sonship, with God. Far from being a one-time event, we must persevere in salvation and endure to the end of our earthly journey (see Mt. 24.13, 2Peter 2.20) We can lose the great gift given us by deadly (serious) sin (see 1John 5.16-17; also important are Matt 7.21 and 1 Corinthians 15.1-2). Despite Luther's assertion of faith alone, Saint James states clearly: faith without works is dead. A person is saved by works and not faith alone (James 2.17 and 2.24). Faith is necessary, but not faith alone.
Answer with conviction: are Catholics saved? Yes!
