As to heresy, we may also become misguided. Paul reminds us
12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness
in the high places
The spiritual warfare is real, but it does not involve persecution death and destruction. Neither should gross error and heresy be tolerated. The devil is crafty, he plays on our fear of conflict and likes to accuse us of being disruptive, even if we are only engaged in a battle of wits
People love to blame the Catholic Church for persecution, but we see from Jeremiah 6, if we stop fighting the good fight, give in to sin and say peace, peace when there is no peace, God brings calamity upon us
14 And they healed the breach of the daughter of my people disgracefully, saying: Peace, peace: and there was no peace.
15 They were confounded, because they committed abomination: yea, rather they were not confounded with confusion, and they knew not how to blush: wherefore they shall fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall fall down, saith the Lord.
16 Thus saith the Lord: Stand ye on the ways, and see and ask for the old paths which is the good way, and walk ye in it: and you shall find refreshment for your souls. And they said: we will not walk.
17 And I appointed watchmen over you, saying: Hearken ye to the sound of the trumpet. And they said: We will not hearken.
18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what great things I will do to them.
19 Hear, O earth: Behold I will bring evils upon this people, the fruits of their own thoughts: because they have not heard my words, and they have cast away my law.
20 To what purpose do you bring me frankincense from Saba, and the sweet smelling cane from a far country? your holocausts are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.
Too frequently in congregations we are told to tolerate sin. One has a porn addiction, another is greedy, another steals all attention to themselves, another has their daughter abort a child because they do not want the shame of having an illegitimate grandchild. Nothing gets done. If one objects, they are labeled as harsh, judgmental and unforgiving, so we just sit back, clap our hands, play pretend church and put on the false smile. Righteous deeds are no longer honored, but popularity rules the day. If one is to mention penance, they are shunned. This should not be
No, I do not wish to promote a physical war against heretics. We cannot change their minds by force, but neither do we encourage their deeds by tolerance
We speak up and say this is not right. If we do not repent, God is not going to say don’t worry, you can’t lose your salvation. If we are not heard, we leave. Scripture says if they endure not sound doctrine, have a form of godliness, but deny its power, from such turn away
I often wondered what form of godliness but deny its power meant. Some people treat grace as just forgiveness of sins, which then gives them license to commit more. Some even brag that they are just as bad a sinner after 40 years in the faith as when they first believed. They deny that grace gives us the power to overcome sin and strive for holiness and perfection. A person with grace accepts correction and loves his enemies. One without cries leave me alone, you are judging me, and offers every kind of excuse not to repent, nor has a desire to do so.
No no, we do not learn Christ that way. We proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord, who is mighty to save and grants virtue to anyone that asks it of Him. The battle against sin is a worthy one. No Christian should think he is getting to heaven on a technicality of not being able to lose his salvation if he refuses to stop committing the mortal sins listed in scripture. Scripture is clear
1 Cor 6
9- Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers
10 Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God.
God has said He will forgive all sins, but we must make them part of our past and not justify them as we continue to commit them and refuse to repent.
No, I will not kill heretics, neither will I tell them they are saved. I don’t care how many times they say the name of Jesus. We are reminded not to take the name of the Lord in vain. If we are overcome by the habit of sin, we need to take a stance of penance not arrogance. God will give grace to the humble and you will see the power of God’s grace save you from sin that once so easily beset you. That is what He did for me, and will do for all who asks.