Grace and works

Christie insb

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I was at work in a nursing home and they had a Catholic service this morning. I wish I had the liturgy in front of me, but it said something like, "Follow your precepts and achieve salvation." I have been raised in the Lutheran tradition of there is nothing you can do to be saved except rely on the Grace of God. As soon as I start thinking about this I see contradictions in my every thought but could I get a Catholic perspective on how our behavior relates to our salvation? I don't want to argue but I want to understand so I may ask some clarifying questions. Thanks.
 

mukk_in

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I was at work in a nursing home and they had a Catholic service this morning. I wish I had the liturgy in front of me, but it said something like, "Follow your precepts and achieve salvation." I have been raised in the Lutheran tradition of there is nothing you can do to be saved except rely on the Grace of God. As soon as I start thinking about this I see contradictions in my every thought but could I get a Catholic perspective on how our behavior relates to our salvation? I don't want to argue but I want to understand so I may ask some clarifying questions. Thanks.
Hello Christie. I'm a protestant, but I reconcile the differences between the two dogmas this way: We're saved and justified by faith alone. But then we work out that faith through good deeds (faith expressing itself through love, because faith without deeds is dead). Hope that helps. Peace in Christ :).
 
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Christie insb

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Hello Christie. I'm a protestant, but I reconcile the differences between the two dogmas this way: We're saved and justified by faith alone. But then we work out that faith through good deeds (faith expressing itself through love, because faith without deeds is dead). Hope that helps. Peace in Christ :).
Thanks for your answer but my question is about Catholic theology, not generic grace and works. I also find the idea of someone saying Hail Marys on your behalf could shorten one's time in purgatory a head scratcher. I heard there is a Catholic concept of sin that is not removed by Christ's sacrifice, that we have to do... something. I have found I firmly agree with Catholics on the fundamentals of the Faith, but this issue of forgiveness of sins has me confused.
 
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mark46

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Thanks for your answer but my question is about Catholic theology, not generic grace and works. I also find the idea of someone saying Hail Marys on your behalf could shorten one's time in purgatory a head scratcher. I heard there is a Catholic concept of sin that is not removed by Christ's sacrifice, that we have to do... something. I have found I firmly agree with Catholics on the fundamentals of the Faith, but this issue of forgiveness of sins has me confused.
You can go to directly to the catechism to get more background. IMHO, part of the problem is poorly trained priests. I recall my priest talking about heaven points for good deeds.

Perhaps the best ways to understand is to look for the 1999 statement on justification, where Lutherans and Catholics come to common ground on the subject of justification.
 
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mukk_in

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Thanks for your answer but my question is about Catholic theology, not generic grace and works. I also find the idea of someone saying Hail Marys on your behalf could shorten one's time in purgatory a head scratcher. I heard there is a Catholic concept of sin that is not removed by Christ's sacrifice, that we have to do... something. I have found I firmly agree with Catholics on the fundamentals of the Faith, but this issue of forgiveness of sins has me confused.
I'm sorry I can't help you with that Christie. But there are plenty of saints here from the Catholic faith. You can also try posting your question on one of the Catholic forums here. I'm quite sure they can help. Peace in Christ :).
 
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Christie insb

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You can go to directly to the catechism to get more background. IMHO, part of the problem is poorly trained priests. I recall my priest talking about heaven points for good deeds.

Perhaps the best ways to understand is to look for the 1999 statement on justification, where Lutherans and Catholics come to common ground on the subject of justification.
Thank you. This makes sense and perfectly answers my question. I like the emphasis on love as the basis of our good works, which we receive with grace.
 
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Christie insb

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Thank you. This makes sense and perfectly answers my question. I like the emphasis on love as the basis of our good works, which we receive with grace.
I'm sorry I can't help you with that Christie. But there are plenty of saints here from the Catholic faith. You can also try posting your question on one of the Catholic forums here. I'm quite sure they can help. Peace in Christ :).
Yes. Mark46 found my question and referred me to the exact document which answers my question. Thanks.
 
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Michie

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Hi Christie,
You might want to contact s moderator to see if they will move this thread to the main area of the forum so you can get more replies to your thread. I'm sure @Davidnic could help you with your questions. In the meantime, here are a couple of links that might be of some help.
Are Catholics Born Again? | Catholic Answers

Assurance of Salvation? | Catholic Answers

I was at work in a nursing home and they had a Catholic service this morning. I wish I had the liturgy in front of me, but it said something like, "Follow your precepts and achieve salvation." I have been raised in the Lutheran tradition of there is nothing you can do to be saved except rely on the Grace of God. As soon as I start thinking about this I see contradictions in my every thought but could I get a Catholic perspective on how our behavior relates to our salvation? I don't want to argue but I want to understand so I may ask some clarifying questions. Thanks.
 
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Michie

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Hi Christie,
You might want to contact s moderator to see if they will move this thread to the main area of the forum so you can get more replies to your thread. I'm sure @Davidnic could help you with your questions. In the meantime, here are a couple of links that might be of some help.
Are Catholics Born Again? | Catholic Answers

Assurance of Salvation? | Catholic Answers

I was at work in a nursing home and they had a Catholic service this morning. I wish I had the liturgy in front of me, but it said something like, "Follow your precepts and achieve salvation." I have been raised in the Lutheran tradition of there is nothing you can do to be saved except rely on the Grace of God. As soon as I start thinking about this I see contradictions in my every thought but could I get a Catholic perspective on how our behavior relates to our salvation? I don't want to argue but I want to understand so I may ask some clarifying questions. Thanks.
 
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Christie insb

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Hi Christie,
You might want to contact s moderator to see if they will move this thread to the main area of the forum so you can get more replies to your thread. I'm sure @Davidnic could help you with your questions. In the meantime, here are a couple of links that might be of some help.
Are Catholics Born Again? | Catholic Answers

Assurance of Salvation? | Catholic Answers
I thought I did post it to the right area but I wondered why it took me so long to get an answer. Anyway thanks.
 
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Christie insb

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chevyontheriver

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I was at work in a nursing home and they had a Catholic service this morning. I wish I had the liturgy in front of me, but it said something like, "Follow your precepts and achieve salvation." I have been raised in the Lutheran tradition of there is nothing you can do to be saved except rely on the Grace of God. As soon as I start thinking about this I see contradictions in my every thought but could I get a Catholic perspective on how our behavior relates to our salvation? I don't want to argue but I want to understand so I may ask some clarifying questions. Thanks.
I've never heard anything like 'Follow your precepts and achieve salvation" before. It rings no bells at all. Perhaps if you can remember better we can figure out what it was. Or find a copy of what was said.

When I googled the phrase the first hit was back to this very thread. That's a good indicator that it's not exactly the right phrase. The second hit was Psalm 119.

We're not the kind of folk who think one 'achieves salvation', but that salvation is by grace.
 
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chevyontheriver

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Thanks. I didn't think so. Also when I hear something that sounds really outlandish it is not actually Catholic doctrine but some sort of folk tradition or something.
Or you misheard. Hard to tell. Some priests can be 'inventive' though.
 
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