WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?: PART FOUR: 02/28/2018

START OF PART FOUR: 02/28/2018

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

OBJECTIONS:

WHAT ABOUT THE PASSAGES WHICH SAY THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN JESUS WILL BE SAVED?

ANSWER: TO JESUS, TO BELIEVE IN HIM UNTO SALVATION NECESSARILY MEANS TO FOLLOW AND KEEP HIS WORDS AND COMMANDMENTS UNTO THE END. THIS IS PROVEN BY THE IMMEDIATE OR EXTENDED CONTEXT OF EVERY CASE WHERE JESUS SAYS THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM WILL BE SAVED, IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER PASSAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN COVERED.

FIRST EXAMPLE: JOHN 3:16

John 3:16– “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

One might see this verse on posters at sports stadiums, at overpasses on highways, and in many other places. Protestants believe it’s the best, or one of the best, examples of the Bible’s teaching that whoever believes is saved by faith alone. What they don’t tell you or fail to perceive is what is stated in the verses which immediately follow John 3:16.

John 3:17-20– “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already… And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

It’s fascinating that in the very context which immediately follows John 3:16, we see prominent references to condemnation for evil deeds, as well as to people who do evil and to deeds being judged. This makes it clear that a faith in the only begotten Son of God which will grant salvation is a faith which must be accompanied by persevering in good deeds and good works. To Jesus, to believe in Him unto salvationis to follow and keep His words and His commandments, as all the other passages we have covered demonstrate. The context demonstrates that John 3:16 does not teach justification by faith alone or eternal security.

SECOND EXAMPLE: ROMANS 10: IF THOU CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH… THOU SHALT BE SAVED

Romans 10:9 is another verse which Protestants bring forward in an attempt to prove salvation by faith alone in Jesus.

Romans 10:8-10- “…The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Once again, however, the context shows us that the Protestant understanding of this passage is false. What many don’t realize is that the passage above (Romans 10:8-10) is quoting from Deuteronomy 30:14 and following. The footnotes in your Bible will show the reference to Deuteronomy 30:14. Well, Deuteronomy 30:14 and following speak of THE NECESSITY OF DOING THE WORKS OF GOD AND OF KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS.

Deuteronomy 30:14-16– “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it [Quoted in Romans 10:8]. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

This reference to Deuteronomy 30:14 in Romans 10:8-10 shows that to Paul and his listeners, it was understood that to believe unto salvation is to follow and keep and do the works that are necessary for salvation. Only in that way will a believer “live” and have salvation. The Protestant view of justification is simply a total misunderstanding of Scripture, as the full context of this passage shows again.

THIRD EXAMPLE: JOHN 5:24

Reading this in isolation, some Protestants think that all believers are assured of salvation.

John 5:24– “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

But just a few verses later, starting in John 5:28, Jesus says this:

John 5:28-29- “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

Again, we see that people will be condemned on the basis of what they have done, not just on the basis of whether they have believed. Invariably, to Jesus, to believe unto salvation is to follow and keep His words and do the works which are necessary for salvation.

FOURTH EXAMPLE: JOHN 6:47

John 6:47- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Some Protestants like to quote this passage to argue for justification by faith alone. But this is easily refuted by the entire context of John 6. Almost the entire chapter deals with how one must not only believe for salvation, but also eat the flesh of the Son of Man to be saved. Therefore, it’s not by faith alone. This is covered in the section on the Eucharist, but this is another example where the extended context refutes a Protestant misconception.

John 6:53-54– “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

WHAT ABOUT EPHESIANS 2:8-9, BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH, NOT OF WORKS?

Non-Catholics frequently quote the following verse to attempt to prove that man is saved by faith alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9– “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

This argument also fails. As I will now show, this argument fails because this verse is specifically talking about the initial grace of receiving water baptism. Water baptism is not a work “of yourselves,” but a sacrament instituted by God. No work you can do can substitute for the power of water baptism. This is said to “save” because it removes man’s original sin and puts him into the initial state of justification. The proof that Ephesians 2:8-9 is actually referring to water baptism is found when one compares the passage to Titus 3:5, and then to 1 Peter 3:20-21.

WHAT ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH “APART FROM WORKS OF THE LAW” (ROMANS 3:28)?

Romans 3:28- “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (New American Standard Version)

“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28 – NIV Version)

Romans 3: 28 Douay Bible with author’s comments included {inserted by pjm}

[28] For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law

Douay Explanation verse #[28] “By faith“: The faith, to which the apostle here attributes man’s justification, is not a presumptuous assurance of our being justified; but a firm and lively belief of all that God has revealed or promised. Heb. 11. A faith working through charity in Jesus Christ. Gal. 5. 6. In short, a faith which takes in hope, love, repentance, and the use of the sacraments. And the works which he here excludes, are only the works of the law: that is, such as are done by the law of nature, or that of Moses, antecedent to the faith of Christ: but by no means, such as follow faith, and proceed from it. END QUOTES

Martin Luther thought this passage taught justification by faith alone, apart from any consideration of human actions or works. This is completely wrong.

In fact, failing to understand what is meant by the phrase “works of the law” is one of the biggest misconceptions in Protestantism.

As we saw already, James says in James 2:24 that man is justified by works and not by faith alone. What is meant in Romans 3:28 and throughout the New Testament by the phrase “works of the law” is the Old Testament laws and prescriptions. “Works of the law” means works of the Old Law. It does not mean all works and human actions. Paul was writing to people who were stuck on the notion that the system of the Old Law, with circumcision, the laws about clean and unclean foods, ritual sacrifices, etc. is indispensable.

That this is what the “works of the law” means in Romans 3:28 and similar passages is proven from the context of Romans, but especially from Galatians 2:14. Notice that the phrase “works of the law” is used, and that it specifically refers to the Old Law (the Law of the Old Testament), not all works or deeds.

Galatians 2:12-16- “… fearing them which were of the circumcision… If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Notice that the phrase “works of the law” is clearly used by Paul to refer to living “as do the Jews” – observing the Old Law, circumcision, etc. It is not referring to all works and human deeds. This is obvious throughout the book of Galatians. Here’s another example:

Galatians 5:3-6– “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

As we see again here, it’s clear that when St. Paul speaks of “the law,” and how no man can be justified by it, he is talking about the works of the Old Law: circumcision, etc. He is not talking about all works! No honest person can deny this fact. He is simply pointing out to them that the faith/religion/Church of Jesus Christ has saving power in itself. He is telling them that one doesn’t have to observe the Old Law and its system to obtain the salvation which comes from Jesus Christ. Here’s another example:

Galatians 6:13- “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”

Again we see that “the law” refers to the Old Law: observing circumcision, etc. No man is justified by the Old Law. We also see that Paul was talking about the Old Law in Romans 3:28 (when he uses “works of the law”), if we look carefully at the context in Romans 3 and 4.

Romans 3:1- “What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?”

We see that the very first verse of Romans 3 deals with the Old Testament work of circumcision. St. Paul is emphasizing to the Jews and others that they don’t need to observe these prescriptions for salvation, or to enter the true faith of God that has been delivered by the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3 is another example which proves the point about what the Bible means by “the law” and “works of the law” and working under the law. In Philippians 3, St. Paul is explaining that he was a Jew who observed the Jewish law. It’s in that precise context that he speaks of having a justification/righteousness which is not his own of the law, but by the faith of Jesus. In other words, his statement that justification is not his own of the law means that it’s not of the Old Law or by having observed the Old Law:

Philippians 3:5-9– “[I] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

It’s obvious that when he speaks of the righteousness or justification which is by faith – which is not his own of the law – he is not teaching justification by faith alone. Rather, he is simply emphasizing that the Jewish law does not justify and is not necessary for salvation.

We have already seen an abundance of passages which prove that human deeds and works are part of whether one has justification and salvation. It’s certain that by “works of the law” Paul means that one is not saved by the works of the Old Law, but by the religion of Jesus Christ.

With these facts in mind, we can see what a tragic and devastating mistake of misinterpretation millions of Protestants have made. This has led them into the disastrous errors of justification by faith alone and eternal security – ideas which run counter to the whole tenor of Scripture, the necessity to avoid sin, the parables of Jesus, etc.

2 Peter 3:16- “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

END OF PART FOUR: 02/28/2018

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

Mat God guide our paths,

Patrick

To GOOD Not to share, on our friend Billy Graham: Re-Blogged

Billy Graham and the Catholic Church By: Matt Swaim

For half a century, Billy Graham was considered by many to be the gold standard for preaching, evangelizing, and living the Gospel as he understood it. He was friends with everyone from Ronald Reagan to Bill Clinton, from U2’s Bono to Johnny Cash. His mission was not to spread a theology; it was to introduce people to Jesus Christ and implore them to invite Him to be Lord of their lives.

On the one hand, Billy Graham could be criticized for his essentialist views of the Gospel. On the other hand however, he was often criticized for universalism because of his magnanimity toward Christians across denominational lines, beyond his personal Baptist allegiances. That magnanimity didn’t just extend to Methodists, Pentecostals or others who some might include under the umbrella of “Evangelicalism,” but also to liturgical traditions as well — Anglicans, Orthodox, and yes, even Catholics.

The story of Billy Graham’s relationship with the Catholic Church is a fascinating one, and would make for an excellent doctoral thesis at some point. In the meantime, while this is in no way meant to be comprehensive, here are a few interesting notes regarding Billy’s interactions with the Church of Rome that may come as a surprise to some:

His relationship with Pope John Paul II

The affinity between John Paul II and Billy Graham actually dates back to before Karol Wotjyla became pope. As a matter of fact, Cardinal Wotjyla invited Graham to preach a mission in Krakow in 1978. Wotjyla had to cancel his own appearance at the rally, however; he’d been called to Rome on account of the death of Pope John Paul I. In 1979, shortly after Wotjyla was raised to the papacy, Graham appeared on the Phil Donohue Show, and when asked about the new pope, Billy referred to him as a man of “real authority” who didn’t “pull any punches.”

After his election as pope, John Paul II had the opportunity to meet with Graham on three separate “official” occasions. According to Graham, the Holy Father told him, “we are brothers.” And in 1984, Graham’s spokesperson said that Billy had played a behind-the-scenes role in President Reagan’s establishment of diplomacy with the Vatican, which would eventually lead to the takedown of Communism in Eastern Europe.

His affinity for Archbishop Fulton Sheen

In his 1997 biography, Just As I Am, Graham mentions friendships with such prominent American Catholics as Fulton Sheen and Cardinal Cushing. And while some might think of Sheen as a sort of “Catholic Billy Graham,” it was Graham who once referred to Sheen as “the greatest communicator of the twentieth century.” The story of how they first met is the stuff of legend; according to Graham, the two happened to be on the same train from Washington, DC to New York City. Graham was apparently already in his pajamas when Sheen knocked on his door, wanting to meet him, and the two became fast friends.

Of course, Fulton Sheen was by no means the only prominent American Catholic with whom Billy was known to interact; Rose Kennedy once told Graham, “Even though we are Catholic, I have never heard you say anything we don’t agree with in the Bible.” Although Billy didn’t become a face of popular Protestant/Catholic ecumenism in the United States until the early 1980’s, it was in all the way back in 1967 that he received his honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College, after which he joked that people might start calling him “Father Graham.” And it was in 1981 that Billy spoke at a Vespers service at the North American College in Rome, which he later described as “Christocentric.”

The Catholic Church and Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusades

If there was a primary way in which most ordinary Christians encountered Billy Graham, it was his Crusades, which spanned the globe and drew tens of thousands of attendees in nearly every major city in the United States, and around the world. Graham actually ended up taking a lot of heat from fellow Protestant pastors for his approach to these events, an approach which developed over time; if someone came forward to accept Christ at a rally, he wanted them to plug back into whatever local Christian community they might already be connected to. This meant that if a Catholic came forward, Graham wanted them to have a ready connection with their local parish.

Because of this, some of Billy’s more fundamentalist Christian critics saw Graham as succumbing to Universalism, although Billy himself more likely looked at it as something more like Christian essentialism; that Jesus wanted to be Lord of people’s lives, and Graham needed to tell them about it. If from that point forward, Jesus wanted them to participate in the sacraments, that was beyond Billy’s understanding or authority; he just knew he needed to preach the Gospel.

Billy even went so far as to connect, not only with local parish priests, but with bishops and archbishops whenever he deemed it appropriate. When he held his 1989 Crusade in London, he personally called on Cardinal Basil Hume, who accepted Graham’s invitation and attended the rally. Who knows how many Catholics were in attendance, and heard that day that they could remain fully Catholic and have a personal relationship with Jesus at the same time?

Billy Graham: Pioneering Ecumenist

The post-Vatican II era of the Catholic Church, especially in places like the United States, has been marked by a conflicted sense of what it means to be truly ecumenical. How much common ground can Catholic and Protestant leaders reach without appearing to capitulate to the doctrines of the other side? Billy Graham heard criticisms of this type all the time, especially in the latter half of his career.

Who knows what it was that drew Billy to see something in the Catholic Church that so few “Evangelical” leaders before him were unable to see? As Catholics, we have our hopes for all our “separated brethren,” but obviously, Graham never became a Catholic, so whatever his leanings, they never took him all the way to Rome.

Maybe it was the moral clarity of the Church, or its sense of history, or the way it saw the sacraments as a way to level the playing field between prince and pauper that made Billy Graham sympathetic to the Catholic Church. Maybe it was the universality of the Church that appealed to Billy; surely he grasped some sense of it when he saw Christians of every denomination at his crusades. Maybe it was the fact that Catholics didn’t just see Peter’s faith, but Peter himself as the Rock on which Christ founded the Church, and Billy appreciated the fact that a weak vessel like Peter – and even himself – could be used by God. Whatever the case, Graham at least tipped his hand when he remarked, “I feel much closer to Roman Catholic tradition than to some of the more liberal Protestants.”

Billy Graham has passed, and we mourn him as we mourn all the dead; we pray for him as we pray for all the dead. We commend them to the mercy of God, because at the end of everything, it’s not our achievements or social standing or anything else that gets us to heaven but the Cross of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

A good friend of mine, an Evangelical who became Catholic, once told me that after receiving Holy Communion, the prayer he prays comes from the lyrics of an invitational song Billy Graham loved so much that he named his biography after it. I pray them myself from time to time as I approach my Eucharistic Lord; it’s not unreasonable to think Billy prayed them as he prepared to meet the same Lord, face to face, as we all must eventually do:

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bid’st me, come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Matt Swaim

Matt Swaim is Communications Coordinator for The Coming Home Network and host of The Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN Radio. He is also the author of a number of books, including Catholic Puzzles and Word Games, Vols. 1&2, for Ave Maria Press.

4 Amazing Eucharistic miracles from the last 20 years Philip Kosloski: Re-Blogged

NONE OF THE PHOTOS WOULD COPY AND PASTE; PLEASE DO TAKE THE TIME TO VISIT THE SITE: https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/11592

4 Amazing Eucharistic miracles from the last 20 years

Philip Kosloski |

EstradaProduction | YouTube

God continues to work miracles, even in the 21st century.

Even though a large number of Eucharistic miracles date to the Middle Ages, many have occurred in the last century, with several being confirmed in the past 20 years. These miracles are a living testament to the Catholic Church’s teaching that while the appearances of bread and wine remain, the substance is changed (through the power of God) completely to the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is a teaching based on scripture and tradition and has remained unchanged in its essence since apostolic times.

Additionally, the Church has recognized that on occasion God intervenes in a more visible way and can change even the appearances of the bread and wine into his body and blood. Or God may miraculously preserve a consecrated host for an extended amount of time, past what is natural for bread (as may be the case with the recent events in Italy).

Click on the next few pages to learn about four amazing Eucharistic miracles that have occurred in the 21st century.

EAST NEWS

Legnica, Poland

In 2013, Bishop Zbigniew Kiernikowski, of the Diocese of Legnica stated:

On December 25, 2013, during the distribution of the Holy Communion, a consecrated host fell to the floor and then was picked up and placed in a water-filled container (vasculum). Soon after, stains of red color appeared. The former Bishop of Legnica, Stefan Cichy, set up a commission to observe the phenomenon. In February 2014, a tiny red fragment of the host was separated and put on a corporal. The Commission ordered to take samples in order to conduct the thorough tests by the relevant research institutes.

After the investigations, the Department of Forensic Medicine stated:

In the histopathological image, the fragments of tissue have been found containing the fragmented parts of the cross striated muscle. (…) The whole (…) is most similar to the heart muscle with alterations that often appear during the agony. The genetic researches indicate the human origin of the tissue

God continues to work miracles, even in the 21st century.

sokolka.archibial.pl

Sokółka, Poland

During Mass on Sunday, October 12, 2008, at the parish church of St. Anthony in Sokolka, a consecrated host fell from the hands of one of the priests during the distribution of Communion, next to the altar. The priest interrupted the distribution of Communion and picked up the host, and, in accordance with liturgical norms, placed it in a small container of water. The host was expected to dissolve in the water, which would later be disposed of properly.

At the end of the Mass, at the request of the pastor, Fr. Stanislaw Gniedziejko, the parish sacristan Sr. Julia Dubowska poured the water and the host into another container.

A week later, on October 19, Sr. Julia noticed a delicate aroma of unleavened bread. When she opened the container, she saw, in the middle of the host—which was still largely intact—a curved, bright red stain, like a blood stain: a living particle of a body. The water was untainted by the color.

A piece of the altered host was taken and analyzed independently by two experts, Prof. Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska, MD, and Prof. Stanislaw Sulkowski, MD, in order to ensure the credibility of the results.

The results of both independent studies were in perfect agreement. They concluded that the structure of the transformed fragment of the host is identical to the myocardial (heart) tissue of a living person who is nearing death. The structure of the heart muscle fibers is deeply intertwined with that of the bread, in a way impossible to achieve with human means, according to the declaration of Professor Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska.

God continues to work miracles, even in the 21st century.

Catedrales e Iglesias | CC

Tixtla, Mexico

On October 21, 2006, during a parish retreat, a consecrated host that was about to be distributed effused a reddish substance. The bishop of the place, Most Reverend Alejo Zavala Castro, convened a theological commission of investigation to determine if it was a hoax or a genuine miracle. In October 2009, he invited Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez to conduct scientific research with a team of scientists and verify the miraculous nature of the occurrence. Dr. Gómez had recently finished his investigation into the miracle that occurred in Buenos Aires.

The scientific research conducted between October 2009 and October 2012 released the following statement:

The reddish substance analyzed corresponds to blood in which there are hemoglobin and DNA of human origin.

Two studies conducted by eminent forensic experts with different methodologies have shown that the substance originates from the interior, excluding the hypothesis that someone could have placed it from the exterior.

The blood type is AB, similar to the one found in the Host of Lanciano and in the Holy Shroud of Turin. A microscopic analysis of magnification and penetration reveals that the superior part of the blood has been coagulated since October 2006. Moreover, the underlying internal layers reveal, in February 2010, the presence of fresh blood.

The event does not have a natural explanation.

God continues to work miracles, even in the 21st century.

Sebastian Mathew | YouTube

Chirattakonam, India

https://aleteia.org/2018/02/27/4-amazing-eucharistic-miracles-from-the-last-20-years/5/

For some reason the photo could not or would noy copy & paste. So here is the site where you can see it.

On April 28, 2001, in the parish church of St. Mary of Chirattakonam, the parish priest noticed an amazing image that appeared on a consecrated host. He wrote down exactly what happened.

At 8:49 a.m., I exposed the Most Holy Sacrament in the monstrance for public adoration. After a few moments I saw what appeared to be three dots in the Holy Eucharist. I then stopped praying and began to look at the monstrance, also inviting the faithful to admire the three dots. I then asked the faithful to remain in prayer and reposed the monstrance in the tabernacle … On Saturday morning, the 5th of May 2001, I opened the church for the usual liturgical celebrations. I vested for Mass and went to open the tabernacle to see what had happened to the Eucharist in the monstrance. I immediately noted in the Host, a figure, to the likeness of a human face. I was deeply moved and asked the faithful to kneel and begin praying. I thought I alone could see the face so I asked the altar server what he noticed in the monstrance. He answered: “I see the figure of a man.”

Eventually the image became more clear and was of a man similar to that of Christ crowned with thorns. The miraculous image was investigated by His Beatitude Cyril Mar Baselice, archbishop of the diocese of Trivandrum, and the monstrance with the host remains enshrined in the church to this day. END QUOTES

This next One has similarities with the above; EXCEPT for

[1] I know personally the Priest: Father John A. Hardon S.J.; who was a friend, my mentor and occasional teacher.

[2] The image of Christ face became apparent immediately on being placed on the Altar in the “Monstrance”by Father for Benediction {a Catholic devotional-ceremony to honor Jesus in the Eucharist}

[3] I was not there but several fellow Marian Catechist were present and one from out of town {Detroit} had a camera and took this photo. The Fellow MC then sent me a copy in COLOR of this Miracle. I have the photo on my desk in front of me. Father’s “Cause” investigation by the RCC for Sainthood is being investigated. Father’s title is now: SERVANT OF GOD; FR. JOHN A. HARDON S.J.

Contact me at patrickmiron66@hotmail.com if you wish me to E-Mail you a copy of it.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION? part 3 of 5; 02/27/2018

START OF PART THREE: 02/27/2018

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

JESUS WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS

Matthew 16:27- “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

We will see the same teaching in the Book of Romans and in the Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse).

JESUS SHALL CAST INTO HELL THOSE WHO DO INIQUITY

Matthew 13:41-42- “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

God will condemn people to Hell based on whether they do iniquity.

EACH PERSON WILL RECEIVE REWARD OR PUNISHMENT BASED ON WHAT HE OR SHE HAS DONE IN THE BODY

2 Corinthians 5:9-10- “… Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

We read that one must labor to be accepted by Christ. Further, we see that men will receive in the next world a reward or a punishment based on what they have done in the body, “whether it be good or bad.” The things which a man has done (his deeds) are seen as integral to his salvation or damnation.

ONE COULD HAVE ALL FAITH AND IT COULD PROFIT HIM NOTHING

1 Corinthians 13:1-2- “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

According to Protestant doctrine, faith alone grants salvation. Thus, one who has all faith would be saved. But the Bible teaches otherwise: one could have all faith and it could still profit him nothing. Justification is not by faith alone.

WHAT MUST ONE DO TO BE SAVED? JESUS SAYS: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS, NOT JUST BELIEVE

Matthew 19:16-21- “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments… and come and follow me.”

To the question of what he must do to be saved, Jesus says one must keep the commandments and follow Him.

YOU MUST BEAR YOUR CROSS TO BE HIS DISCIPLE

Luke 14:27, 33- “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple…

Salvation is not attained by faith alone in Jesus, but by faith and carrying the cross and prioritizing all one possesses, making salvation in Jesus Christ’s religion the top priority.

MAN MUST KEEP THE SAYING OF JESUS TO NOT SEE DEATH

John 8:51- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”

Those who keep His words, not just believe, will not see death.

ONLY THOSE WHO DO FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN

Matthew 6:14– “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

One is only forgiven if he forgives. It’s not by faith alone.

MEN ARE JUSTIFIED AND CONDEMNED BY THEIR WORDS, NOT JUST ON THE BASIS OF WHETHER THEY BELIEVE

Matthew 12:36-37– “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING

Philippians 2:12- “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Work out salvation with “fear and trembling,” obviously because men can lose their salvation through grave sin at any time.

THE BOOK OF ROMANS CLEARLY INDICATES THAT WORKS ARE A PART OF JUSTIFICATION AND SALVATION

*FOR A REFUTATION OF THE OBJECTION CONCERNING ROMANS 3:28 AND THE “WORKS OF THE LAW” PHRASE – A COMMON PROTESTANT MISCONCEPTION – SEE THE RESPONSE TO THAT OBJECTION AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

The Protestant theology, which says that man is justified by faith alone, is contradicted near the beginning of the Book of Romans by Paul’s discussion in Chapter 2 of how people will be condemned for what they do. It is also contradicted when Paul says in Romans that God will render to each man according to his WORKS, and that eternal life is for those who work unto good.

It’s very interesting that these passages come at the beginning of Romans. This was God’s way of removing any misunderstanding about the necessity to do things and avoid sins for salvation which might arise from heretical misinterpretations of later passages, which were written to emphasize that man is not justified by works of the Old Law.

Romans 2:5-6- “… the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.”

He will render to every man according to his works or deeds, not on the basis of faith alone. He continues:

ETERNAL DEATH IS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH AND DO EVIL

Romans 2:8-10– “But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”

Eternal life is given to those who truly believe and do what is good. Eternal death is for every man, including believers, who do evil or commit grave sins and die in that state. It’s not by faith alone.

IF BELIEVERS LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, THEY SHALL ETERNALLY DIE

Romans 8:12-13– “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Speaking to “brethren,” that is, believers, he says that if they commit grave sins of the flesh they will die eternally: be damned. That totally contradicts justification by faith alone, once saved always saved, etc.

IF BELIEVERS DON’T CONTINUE IN GOODNESS, THEY WILL BE CUT OFF

In Romans chapter 11, we come to a verse which devastates Protestant theology.

Romans 11:20-22– “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Romans chapter 11 clearly speaks of the Jews being cut off because of unbelief. And then in verse 22, St. Paul says that you believing Christians will also be cut off unless you continue in goodness. This destroys the ideas of justification by faith alone and once saved always saved.

THE DEAD ARE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS

In Revelation chapter 20, we read about the final judgment.

Revelation 20:12-13– “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”

This verse constitutes absolute proof that the Protestant view of justification is unbiblical.

Revelation 22:12- “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Revelation 21:8- “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Revelation 22:19– “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

This is just another verse which shows that what you do can exclude you from salvation.

PAUL REJOICES THAT HE HAS KEPT THE FAITH, OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE BELIEVERS CAN LOSE IT

2 Timothy 4:6-7– “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

ALEXANDER THE COPPERSMITH WILL BE REWARDED ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS

2 Timothy 4:14- “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.”

ONE MUST ENDURE AND RESIST TEMPTATION TO HAVE THE CROWN OF LIFE

James 1:12- “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

The Bible says that one must resist temptation and endure to the end to have eternal life.

SINS OF LUST BRING FORTH ETERNAL DEATH – THUS IT’S NOT BY FAITH ALONE

James 1:13-15- “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Notice here that if one consents to a sin of lust, it brings forth death. He’s clearly speaking of eternal death (damnation). That means that man is not justified by faith alone.

The second chapter of James truly obliterates the Protestant idea of justification by faith alone and once saved always saved. Martin Luther called the book of James “an epistle of straw” and wanted to remove it from his version of the Bible until his friends persuaded him that that would be too radical a move (see the end of this book for more on Luther’s views). The following verses, which reject justification by faith alone, are why Luther criticized this book of the Bible:

James 2:14- “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”

James 2:17– “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:18- “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

James 2:20– “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:24- “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

This is the only place in the entire Bible that the words faith and alone (or only) are joined together. The Bible says that MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY FAITH ALONE, BUT BY WORKS!

END OF PART THREE: 02/27/2018

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION: PART TWO of Five

START OF PART TWO of Five

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

MEN CAN FOLLOW THE WAY OF JESUS AND THEN TURN BACK AND BE OVERCOME

2 Peter 2:20-22– “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

This verse indicates that people who are justified can lose their justification through sins. It’s a clear proof of the Catholic teaching on justification.

Some might try to argue that he’s simply speaking here of people who’ve heard of the Gospel, not those who really believed it. That doesn’t hold up. The verse says that these people have “known the way of righteousness” and “escaped the pollutions of the world.” One doesn’t escape the pollutions of the world by simply hearing of the Gospel. His language describes someone who is walking the justified path and then turns away.

That’s why 2 Peter 2:23 compares this man to a sow (a pig) who has been washed (i.e. justified) and then returns to the mud! That’s also why, earlier in the same chapter, a reference was made to the angels who sinned and lost their justification. St. Peter was really driving the point home.

THE ANGELS, ONCE JUSTIFIED, LOST THEIR JUSTIFICATION THROUGH SIN

2 Peter 2:4- “… God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”

The angels were created in justification; but they sinned mortally, lost their justification, and were cast into Hell. These passages completely contradict the Protestant view of justification.

GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION TO ALL WHO “OBEY” HIM

Hebrews 5:9- “And being made perfect, he [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

It’s not by faith alone.

BELIEVERS CAN FALL AWAY – PERIOD!

Hebrews 6:4-6- “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

BELIEVERS CAN FALL AWAY – PERIOD!

Hebrews 6:4-6- “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

This passage clearly shows that people who are believers, who “were partakers of the Holy Ghost,” can fall away from the state of justification. The reference to it being “impossible” for such people to be renewed again to that state refers to the original grace of baptism, by which they were first cleansed from sin. They cannot be baptized again, but even grave sins can be forgiven in confession (John 20:23). This passage obliterates – totally demolishes – the once saved always saved Protestant theology.

BELIEVERS CAN BE DAMNED FOR THEIR SINS AFTER KNOWING THE TRUTH – THUS DISPROVING FAITH ALONE!

Hebrews 10:26-27- “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

In the same book and in the same vein as the above warning (Hebrews 6:4-6), this passage says that those who have the faith – St. Paul speaks of “we” – can lose salvation as a result of willful sin

WITHOUT HOLINESS, NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD

Hebrews 12:14- “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

This verse teaches that the justification necessary for salvation is a sanctification: a true holiness possessed by the person. It is not, as Protestants contend, the righteousness of Christ being imputed (i.e. applied) to a person, even though he remains interiorly unholy.

Explaining the Protestant view of the justified man, Martin Luther said that a justified man is like a mound of dung covered over with snow. The man remains sinful and iniquitous on the inside; but, as soon as he believes, the righteousness of Christ is applied to him as a covering and a cloak. This enables a dirty and iniquitous man to be saved, according to Protestant doctrine. He can be saved, even though he doesn’t possess holiness in himself, but remains a dung of sin on the inside.

We can see how this view contradicts the teaching of the Bible, which is that a justified man is actually and truly holy by God’s grace. He is sanctified and changed interiorly; he must possess this interior holiness to see the Lord.

It should also be pointed out that what God says happens. If He pronounces someone just, that’s because that person is truly just, not fictitiously just or cloaked over.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER – MEN CAN BELIEVE FOR A TIME AND THEN FALL AWAY

Matthew 13:18-22- “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon [presently] with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

Here we see that a man can believe “for a while,” and then fall away. The versions of this parable in Mark and Luke bring out the point even more clearly:

Mark 4:17- “… And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”

Luke 8:13– “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”

Jesus says clearly in Luke 8:13 that these people believe “for a while.” The Protestants might say this refers to people who do not truly believe. One cannot say that, for Jesus Himself says that they believe for a time.

This entire parable refutes – and has no meaning in – the false Protestant view of justification. It not only teaches us that one can believe and then fall away, but that sins, temptations, worldly concerns, efforts to overcome the world and its snares and its cares (Mt. 13:22), all are part of one’s justification and salvation. It’s a striking confirmation of the Catholic teaching on justification, and a striking refutation of the Protestant position.

Luke 8:15- “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Those who bring forth fruit unto eternal life are those who hear the word and “keep it” or practice it.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS: IF YOU DO NOT PRODUCE THINGS FOR GOD, YOU WILL BE DAMNED – SO MUCH FOR JUSTIFICATION BY “FAITH ALONE”

The Parable of the Talents completely refutes the Protestant view of justification by faith alone.

Matthew 25:15-30- “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

In this parable we see that the person is condemned for sloth, for laziness and failing to do things with the talents he has received. He was condemned because he didn’t work with his talents to gain more talents! This parable completely contradicts justification by faith alone. What’s extremely interesting about this is that it says the Lord “reaps where He has not sown.” In other words, the Lord expects us to do and to produce our own works, done with His grace. If we do not cooperate with His grace to produce such works – and are not able to present such supernatural works before Him at the Judgment – we will be cast into Hell. This parable confirms Catholic teaching on works, while completely refuting Protestant views.

END OF PART TWO of Five

02/26/2018

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION? RE-BLOGGED by PJM

My Dear friends and fellow Bloggers. As you by now likely know, I am a Catholic; more than that, I am a Catholic Apologetic s Teacher; and more than that I am a Trained and Certified “Marian Catechist”; {It can be GOOGLED}, a Lay Apostolate approved by Rome and founded by Father John A. Hardon S. J.; one of the most esteemed Theologians of the 20^th Century. This Lay-Apostolate was formed to share, teach and when necessary defend our Catholic Faith. I actually take and renew a Vow every year in front of a Priest and the Blessed Sacrament Tabernacle {Jesus Himself} where I commit to share the fullness of our Catholic Faith and defend it when necessary.

A recent POST by my good friend [Truly a good friend], POSTED an article espousing “Salvation by Faith Alone”, which actually contradicts what the Bible rightly understood and in its entirety actually teaches; so I feel compelled to offer for your careful and prayerful reflection an article by a Source more qualified than I; and more detailed than I would be. Site information included below.

This might be the most important series you read all year; I urge you to view it carefully, prayerfully {Open to the Holy Spirit} and read it in its entirety. I AM NOT in the conversion “business” and I have several times shared with Pete. That is God’s exclusive territory. I AM though in the TRUTH business, and it is in that vein that I share this series for possible enlightenment and edification.

I am sharing my personal E-Mail account for any questions these shared information may raise. Patrickmiron66@hotmail.com

2 Timothy 3: 16-17 “[16] ALL scripture, {is} inspired of God,{and} is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, [17] That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.”

This teaching is that the entire Bible is to be used in discerning God’s Divine and Perfect Will for each of us. There is always inherent danger in trying to be an entire Faith-belief system on one; or even a few carefully culled verses; when God would have us use the entirety of His WORDS.

Also as a FYI, in-case someone has never given this point the consideration it deserves; the Bible is a Catholic Birthed Book. Historically provable.

Exegetes agree that the Bible was fully authored by the end of the 1^st Century.

[1] From the time of Christ Resurrection until 1054 AD & the Great Eastern Schism the only True Christians to exist on planet Earth were the 1^st Catholics.

[2] It was Early Catholic Fathers who, guided by the Holy Spirit; amidst much debate and discernment choose the 46 OT books to be included.

[3] Then is was men, known today be among the first “Catholics” who authored the ENTIRE NT; six of whom were Apostles: Matthew, John, Peter, James, and Paul and Jude; so by the AUTHORS intent [NOT God’s], the Bibles was assembled and authored by Catholics and Originally thought to be exclusively FOR Catholics, who could not have foreseen either the11^th Century Schism, nor the 16^th Century “Reformation.” That God foresaw the Reformation and grants its use by non-Catholic-Christians 1500 years later, to find application in it is powerful evidence that the Bible is an Inspired by GOD Work.

With only one exception this series is quoted in FULL from the site below.

I have Titled this Series:

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

PART ONE OF Five 02/25/2018

Justification BY faith ALONE REFUTED

http://www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/catholicchurch/faith-alone-refuted-by-the-bible/#.WpNHeOjwZPZ

The overwhelming majority of Protestants believe that the Bible teaches that people are justified (put into a state in which they will be saved) by faith alone in Jesus – i.e., apart from a consideration of their actions, deeds or sins. Most of them also believe in “once saved always saved” or eternal security: that a man who believes in Jesus cannot lose his eternal salvation. These ideas are false and completely contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Let’s look at the proof. After that, I will respond to objections.

James 2:24- “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

In Matthew chapter 5, we find the parable about cutting off one’s hand or eye to avoid Hell.

Matthew 5:29-30– “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee… And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

This parable, which obviously refers to cutting off occasions of sins – things in life that will drag people into offenses against God – only has a meaning if sins and works are a part of determining whether one attains salvation. By cutting off sinful things and bad works, one will save his soul. Man’s sins and works are therefore a part of his justification. If man were justified by faith alone, this parable would not make any sense whatsoever.

NOT ALL WHO SAY “LORD, LORD” ENTER HEAVEN, BUT HE THAT DOES THE WILL OF GOD

Matthew 7:21-23- “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Here we see that he who “doeth” the will of God will enter Heaven, not all who consider Jesus to be the Lord. Then Jesus emphasizes the point by stating that you must do what He says to be His.

Matthew 7:24-27– “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock… And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

How clear does it have to be? It’s a matter of whether you hear His words and do them. It’s not by faith alone.

YOU MUST PERSEVERE TO THE END TO BE SAVED

Matthew 10:22- “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

This totally contradicts the Protestant view of “once saved always saved.” Also see Mark 13:13 for the same message.

PAUL SAYS THAT HE COULD BECOME A CASTAWAY

1 Corinthians 9:24-27- “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

St. Paul says that he fears he could become a “castaway.” The word “castaway” (in 1 Cor. 9:27) is translated from the Greek word adokimos. Adokimos is translated as “reprobate” in 2 Timothy 3:8 and in Romans 1:28. It describes lost souls, mortal sinners, apostates, and those who are outside the state of justification and/or outside the faith of Jesus.

In 2 Timothy 3:8, it is used to describe evil people who “resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” (King James Version). These are obviously not people who are in a state of justification or on the road to Heaven.

MORTAL SINNERS, INCLUDING FORNICATORS, DRUNKARDS, ADULTERERS, ETC., WILL NOT INHERIT HEAVEN

Galatians 5:19-21- “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11– “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

These passages pose big problems for those who believe in justification by faith alone and/or eternal security. The Bible teaches that mortal sins (grave sins) destroy the state of justification. It teaches that grave sins put people in a state in which they will be excluded from the Kingdom of God. This coincides with the Catholic teaching that a believer can lose the state of justification and be damned if he or she commits a mortal sin (e.g., fornication, drunkenness, looking at pornography, etc.) and dies in that state.

Now, in light of these passages, Protestants have a problem. If all who commit mortal sins lose their justification, faith-alone Protestants would have to say that no true believer commits mortal sins. This response doesn’t work, however, as we will see. There are millions of supposed “Christians” who say they have been “saved” by faith in Jesus. A countless number of them get drunk, fornicate, cheat, steal, etc. In other words, they commit clear mortal sins which the Bible says destroy the state of justification.

Since the Bible clearly says that mortal sins destroy justification, faith-alone Protestants are forced into arguing that all those “believers” who commit mortal sins were not true believers. They must admit that the “assurance” of justification/salvation which those people thought they had by “faith alone” was an illusion, a deception. They didn’t really have true “saving” faith, according to them, even though they thought they did.

However, this response – that a “REAL” believer cannot commit the mortal sins which the Bible says exclude from salvation – is refuted by the next verse we will see. It proves that people who definitely had true “saving” faith and were justified could also commit those mortal sins. If they did, they would lose justification.

EPHESIANS 5:5-8 PROVES THAT IT’S POSSIBLE FOR TRUE BELIEVERS TO COMMIT MORTAL SINS AND LOSE THEIR SALVATION FOR SUCH SINS – THIS DEMOLISHES THE IDEA OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE AND ETERNAL SECURITY

Ephesians 5:5-8- “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

This is a fascinating passage.

St. Paul first mentions a number of mortal sins, and states that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. We saw this above with the passages in Galatians 5 and 1 Corinthians 6:9. As stated already, the common (and only possible) Protestant response to this is that no true believer could commit such sins which destroy the state of justification.

Well, the above passage clearly teaches that justified believers could commit those grave sins. St. Paul warns them in Ephesians 5:7 to “Be not ye therefore partakers with them”! Therefore, the believers could be partakers with the mortal sinners! And if there is any doubt that he is including authentic believers in that warning, he speaks of them as those who are now “light in the Lord” (true believers).

Therefore, those who are “light in the Lord” could be “partakers” with the mortal sinners and in the mortal sins which destroy justification. This without any doubt refutes justification by faith alone and “once saved always saved.” Let no man deceive you with vain words such as “justification by faith alone”!

END OF PART ONE: 02/25/2018

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION?

A PARODY OF ESSENTIAL TRUTH Another I AM A CATHOLIC shared Lesson by Patrick Miron

A PARODY OF ESSENTIAL TRUTH

Another I AM A CATHOLIC shared Lesson by Patrick Miron

“How is my soil?” have you objectively checked yours lately?

The New Testament often finds Jesus teaching important, even critical truths is the form of parables. Among my favorites is this one from Marks GOSPEL [A Term Meaning: “good news”]

Christ here is teaching large group of yet unconverted to “the way” [Acts 24:14]

Mt. 7:13 “Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in threat.”

Gal. 3:2 “Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith” Rom. 10:13 “ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ”

Mk. 4: 1-10 “And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side. And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine: Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth.

And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable. And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parable. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them [Mark 4: 13-20 explain it].

I suspect that nearly everyone’s “soil type” varies from time to time; going from ROCKY to Good, and others in between. What is Critical to salvation is where we “land and end up.”

Here are significant tips:

“Here ye”

“And it yielded no fruit”

“And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Notice that there is only one type of good soil, BUT a variety of NOT so-good soils. And notice the final 3 words: “LET him [all] HEAR.”

READ Eph. 4:1-7 when checking your soil type.

Eph. 4: 1-7

[1] I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, [2] With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. [3] Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling. [5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

[6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. [7] But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ

God Bless you,

Patrick

When Your Heart is Troubled and Afraid by MAURA ROAN MCKEEGAN: Re-Blogged

“Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

I love this gentle, comforting Gospel verse, but for a long time, its message mystified me. However hard I tried not to let my heart be troubled or afraid, I couldn’t do it. Fear and worry would take over, and I would lose the battle.

It got even worse after I experienced a long and difficult episode of intense suffering. At last, in His mercy, God lifted the burden and brought healing. I was overwhelmed with gratitude; yet, now I had a new cross to bear. The suffering was over, but I was terrified.

I was terrified that suffering like that was possible in the world, that it could exist, that others were still enduring similar agonies, and that it could possibly happen again. How could I find joy in such a world?

No matter how much I pushed myself to just “get over it,” I was stuck. It felt like quicksand. The memory of that suffering kept returning, and then fear would take hold of my heart and mind, pulling me in. I knew I needed to find a way out, but I couldn’t see it. It was too dark in that hole.

Offer the Fear as a Sacrifice

As I was trying to emerge from this darkness, author Suzie Andres introduced me to the beautiful story of Servant of God Marcel Van, a religious brother who had mystical conversations with Jesus, Mary, and St. Thérèse, and was a “little spiritual brother” of St. Thérèse.

Suzie said that, in one vision (as recorded in the book Conversations), Mary told Marcel, “When you worry, even for the space of a breath, say to Jesus, ‘Little Jesus, I offer this worry as a sacrifice to You,’ and then be at peace.” (Van saw the Child Jesus in his visions.)

I fell in love with this small, sweet prayer. It held so much in so few words. Instead of just telling myself not to fear, I could take the fear that I couldn’t help feeling and put it to good use. I could offer it as a sacrifice.

So, I began to say (when I remembered), “Little Jesus, I offer this worry as a sacrifice to You.” And I began to feel more peace.

Be Patient with Yourself

Another thing that helped me gain perspective was this quote from St. Francis de Sales:

“As we must have patience with others, so we must with ourselves. Those who aspire to the pure love of God have not so much need of patience with others as with themselves. We must suffer our imperfection in order to have perfection. I say suffer, not love or pet; humility feeds on this suffering.”

If I fell into fear and worry, I shouldn’t beat myself up over it, feeling like a failure. That would only make things worse. The Lord knew I was trying, and I needed to be patient with myself.

It’s God’s Work

One evening, I went to confession to a holy priest who knew that I have a tendency to blame myself when I cannot obtain the virtues that I seek. He opened his Bible to a highlighted passage, and asked me to read it aloud:

“May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.” (2 Thess 5:23-24)

When I finished reading it aloud, the priest asked me, “So, who will accomplish it?”

I looked back at the passage. “God will.”

“It’s God’s work,” he said, nodding.

Only God can do it, not I. If I want to be freed from fear, I must hand it over to the One who will set me free. I had been trying to stop being afraid through my own will power. No wonder it wasn’t working.

If I look in the Gospels, I see that I am not the only one who thought that I could live the Gospel on my own steam. In Luke 22, Peter tells Jesus that he is ready to go with Him to prison and to death. Jesus replies that, on that very night, Peter would deny Him three times. But before this exchange happens, Jesus tells Peter something foundational first:

“Behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Peter was trusting in himself, in his own power to stay strong, when he made his bold promises to Jesus. Jesus, meanwhile, knew that Peter, in his human weakness, would fall—and that only divine grace would give Peter the strength of unfailing faith.

Like Peter, I had been trusting in myself, in my own power to overcome fear. I learned that this is a power that I do not have. Only God’s grace can make my trust in Him strong again.

If I look back on that Gospel verse from John, the one that mystified me, I see that the truth was there all along. Because, before Jesus tells the Apostles not to be troubled or afraid, He tells them something foundational first, just like he did with Peter:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

The only reason it is possible to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid is that Jesus makes it possible. He makes it possible by giving us His peace in a way the world never can.

In other words, as the priest who heard my confession said, “It’s God’s work.”

I am still inclined to fear more than I should, but understanding what to do with the fear—offering it to God instead of trying to overcome it alone—has made it much easier to bear when it comes. When I give Him my weakness, He gives me His strength.

And there is much joy to be found in such a world.

image: Michael Gaida via Pixabay

Tagged as: Best of Week, fear, Marcel Van, suffering, worry

By Maura Roan McKeegan

Maura Roan McKeegan lives in Steubenville, Ohio, with her husband, Shaun, and their four children. She is the author of the children’s picture books Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb: Jonah and Jesus (Emmaus Road Publishing, 2016), and The End of the Fiery Sword: Adam & Eve and Jesus & Mary(Emmaus Road Publishing, 2014), which are the first two books in a series introducing children to biblical typology. Her articles have appeared in publications such as Catholic Digest, Crisis, Guideposts, Franciscan Way, Lay Witness, and My Daily Visitor.

Saint Polycarp, Heresy, and Lent by BRIAN KRANICK: Re-Blogged

Saint Polycarp, Heresy, and Lent

BRIAN KRANICK

How many people today have left the Church because they deem the Bible incongruent, mythological and unscientific? This falling away is usually undergirded, whether knowingly or unknowingly, by assumptions made in critical historical and textual analysis of the Bible. Modern scholars have sought over the past couple of centuries to deconstruct the Bible by weeding out prophecies, miracles, supernatural occurrences, and other textual peculiarities from the “historical facts.” This technique of Biblical criticism has been used to try to delegitimize Jesus in the New Testament and Yahweh in the Old Testament. What we are left with, so they say, is that we know little about the “historical Jesus,” if he even existed, and much less about the genocidal, tribal God of the Hebrews.

This is exactly the type of heresy that St. Polycarp fought against in the 1st and 2nd centuries.

St. Polycarp, as one of the prime Apostolic Fathers, had direct contact with St. John and the other Apostles. He had one degree of separation from Jesus. Polycarp himself was a direct disciple of St. John the Apostle. St. Irenaeus, who was a student of Polycarp, wrote in Against Heresies that Polycarp “was not only instructed by the Apostles, and conversed with many who had seen the Lord, but was also appointed bishop by Apostles in Asia and in the church in Smyrna.” He also wrote reminiscently about Polycarp in his letter to Florinus, “I seem to hear him now relate how he conversed with John and many others who had seen Jesus Christ, the words he had heard from their mouths.”

One of the stories that Irenaeus heard from Polycarp was about a time when St. John was in Ephesus. He describes seeing St. John going to take a bath, but upon seeing Cerinthus [a Gnostic heretic] inside the building, he rushed out saying, “Let us get out of here, for fear the place falls in, now that Cerinthus, the enemy of truth, is inside!” Along these same lines, Polycarp himself ran into on one occasion a similar heretic, Marcion. Marcion said to Polycarp, “Don’t you recognize me?” To which Polycarp responded, “I do indeed: I recognize the firstborn of Satan!”

Marcion was a well-known heretic of his day. He espoused a particular semi-gnostic heresy that the God of the Old Testament could not be the God of the New Testament and Jesus. There were “two gods,” or so he thought, in a dualistic world. The Old Testament God was the Demiurge creator of the material universe, who sought to impose legalistic justice with harsh and severe punishments; while, the God of the New Testament gospel was one of kindness, compassion, and mercy. As he found these two dichotomies irreconcilable, Marcion dismissed all of the Old Testament and much of the New. Marcion was, in effect, the first Bible critic.

St. Polycarp was not amused. The early Church historian, Eusebius, records Irenaeus’ account of how St. Polycarp would react to the Gnostics he encountered, saying, “O good God! For what times hast thou kept me that I should endure such things!” Although Marcion did believe in the divinity of Jesus, he was a Docetist, who believed Jesus only had an imitation body. In effect, he denied the physical birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. Polycarp responded by quoting St. John, “To deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is to be Antichrist.” Marcion distorted Paul’s theology to create an all-forgiving God, and rejected the hard-sayings of the Gospels and the so-called wrathful, jealous God of the Judaism.

Many modernist critics today (i.e., atheists, agnostics, universalists, etc.) agree with Marcion’s interpretation of Scripture. Marcion’s influence from the 2nd century seems to have extended all the way to the 21st century. This modernist attack on the veracity of the Scriptures has certainly contributed to the “rise of the nones” (i.e., those who increasingly espouse “none” as their religious affiliation). They deny that sacred Scripture is the inspired work of the Holy Spirit, and see it rather as the work of fallible men alone. This watered-down version of the faith has even crept into some Christian circles as well. Their mantra is “Jesus is love,” so how could he also be a God of justice?

Interestingly, Marcion’s heresy forced the young Church to deal rather quickly with this challenge to Scripture by assembling and defining the canon, which would eventually take on the form of the modern Bible. St. Polycarp may very well have been one of those early Church leaders who helped define the canon. Polycarp’s own writing “The Epistle to the Philippians” was ultimately not included in the canon of Scripture, but it gives us great insight into the mind and heart of an Apostolic Father who interacted directly with St. John the Apostle.

St. Polycarp is perhaps most well-known for his martyrdom, which happened probably on February 23, 155 A. D. This is now the day we celebrate his Feast day, or, as the account of his Martyrdom refers to it “the birthday of his martyrdom.” “The Martyrdom of Polycarp” is also the first recorded martyrdom themed letter after the New Testament period. It follows a particular genre highlighting the similarities in Polycarp’s death with the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ.

By this time in 155 A.D., Polycarp was an old man in the midst of a repressive pagan, anti-Christian Roman Empire. The Empire was forcing all to publicly offer incense and declare that Caesar is Lord. Those who did not were killed, and in the most barbaric ways, such as being thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. Christians were a prime target as many refused to apostatize.

Three days before his arrest, Polycarp had a vision of “flames reducing his pillow to ashes.” Whereupon Polycarp turned to his companions and said, “I must be going to be burned alive.” When the Romans finally seized him, he said peacefully “God’s will be done.” Then, they brought him to the arena with “deafening clamor” full of pagans who wanted to kill him.

It was then that “a voice from heaven” was heard. Here follows a few excerpts of his martyrdom:

“As Polycarp stepped into the arena there came a voice from heaven, ‘Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.’”

Polycarp is then brought before the proconsul for examination. He tells Polycarp: “Take the oath, and I will let you go,” and “Revile your Christ.”

Polycarp’s response is, “Eighty six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

The proconsul tells him, “I have wild beasts here. Unless you change your mind, I shall have you thrown to them.”

Polycarp declines again, to which the proconsul says, “If you do not recant, I will have you burnt to death, since you think so lightly of the wild beasts.”

Polycarp rejoined, “The fire you threaten me with cannot go on burning for very long; after a while it goes out. But what you are unaware of are the flames of future judgment and everlasting torment which are in store for the ungodly. Why do you go on wasting your time? Bring out whatever you have a mind to.”

Upon that, they bind Polycarp to a pile of wood to be burned alive “like a noble ram taken out of some great flock for sacrifice: a goodly burnt-offering all ready for God.”

Polycarp proceeds to give his final prayer, offering himself up as a Eucharistic sacrifice in union with the sacrifice of Christ. In part, praying, “I bless thee for granting me this day and hour, that I may be numbered amongst the martyrs, to share the cup of thine Anointed and rise again unto life everlasting, both in body and soul, in the immortality of the Holy Spirit.”

With that, the fire is lit and “a great sheet of flame blazed out.” Then, another miracle occurs. The author writes, “we who were privileged to witness it saw a wondrous sight . . . the fire took on the shape of a hallow chamber, like a ship’s sail when the wind fills it, and formed a wall round the martyr’s figure; and there was he in the center of it, not like a human being in flames but like a loaf baking in the oven.” Again, he depicts Polycarp’s martyrdom in Eucharistic terms “like a loaf baking.” They then smell “a delicious fragrance.”

His martyrdom concludes with this:

“Finally, when they realized that his body could not be destroyed by fire, the ruffians ordered one of the dagger-men to go up and stab him with his weapon. As he did so, there flew out a dove, together with such a copious rush of blood that the flames were extinguished; and this filled all the spectators with awe, to see the greatness of the difference that separates unbelievers from the elect of God. Of these last, the wondrous martyr Polycarp was most surely one.”

The account comes to a close with the author stating the martyrdom of Polycarp the Blessed is “talked of everywhere, even in heathen circles. Not only was he a famous Doctor, he was a martyr without peer.”

St. Polycarp offers us an example this Lent. He was a great Apostolic Father who adhered steadfastly to orthodoxy and fought against heresy and Gnosticism. He had a simple but strong faith, and spoke in Eucharistic terms of self-sacrifice. His self-denial led him eventually to his own martyrdom. This Lent we also walk the way of the Cross, in a self-sacrificial union with Christ. We mortify our bodies in Lent with the hope to rise in our bodies with Christ in Easter.

image: Saint Polycarp, Truro Cathedral by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. / Flickr

Tagged as: Apostolic Age, Best of Week, Polycarp, saints

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By Brian Kranick

Brian Kranick is a freelance writer focusing on all things Catholic. In addition to other studies, he has a master’s degree in Systematic Theology from Christendom College. He has spent years working as an analyst in the Intelligence Community, and currently resides with his wife and three children in the Pacific Northwest. He is the author of the blog: sacramentallife.com.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Evil & Suffering By Patrick Miron

Unraveling the Mysteries of Evil & Suffering

By Patrick Miron

Like many Apologetics Teachers, I have been asked multiple times to explain evil’s existence and why there is suffering. After all we teach that God is “Good”; that God is Love. Can these near polar opposites be reconciled?

The First two things that we must understand is that God is Good, and God is Love and that God is Perfectly Good and Loves us Perfectly. Meaning all goodness flows through Him. God can be briefly and accurately described as “ALL GOOD THING PERFECTED, “by which I mean to share that God can ONLY will “good things”; that God can PERMIT evil {notice I did not say “tolerate evil”}, but God cannot desire “evil” and still be our Perfect God.

So why then; or perhaps even “how” is it that evil exist?

Genesis 1:26-27 “[26] And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. [27] And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.”

Then John 4: 23-24 teaches us that God is a “Spirit” … [23]But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father also seeketh such to adore him. [24] God is a spirit; and they that adore him, must adore him in spirit and in truth.”

These two teachings seem to obviously teach impossibilities. Humanity is clearly not a “spirit”; further God is immortal and humanity is not. Or are we?

Consider these facts which we can know. In the entire Created Universe with its BILLIONS of stars, planets and galaxies; only One; only Planet Earth can be PROVEN to be able to support all of the life forms that we know of. Then on Planet Earth with its hundreds of millions of “Living Things”; only one; only humanity is Rational.

For a “thing” to be Rational requires a mind, an intellect and a freewill. Each of which like our God is a Spiritual reality. And on Planet earth only Humanity is Rational. Which is precisely how we emulate our God. I have come to term this gifted package “Our Other Self.” At the instant of conception, God gifts every human Soul with these spiritual gifts that enable humanity to be Rational. WHY?

Genesis 3: 19”[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.”

So when we die, our bodies “return to DUST.” What then enters into Eternity? It is our still Rational Souls. When the bible teaches that we will see GOD “face to face” {Gen. 32:30, Duet. 5:4 & 1^st Cor.13:12} it actually means intuitively as our bodies are no more until the End Times.

What does all of this have to do with EVIL?

Isaiah 43: 7 & 21 “ [7] And every one that calleth upon my name, I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, and made him.” & [21] This people have I formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise.”

These two short verses explain why humanity exist. By God’s intent LIFE is The God Test. And the grading is Pass or FAIL!

God loves us Perfectly, and desires that “perfect love’ be returned to Him. … In order for our love to “be perfect” it has to be freely given.

God’s Life test for humanity is to freely choose by accepting the graces offered to them to choose good over evil. BUT humanity can and does very often deny God’s Sovereignty; rejecting the offered grace and choosing to pridefully select the EVIL.

[Ecclesiasticus 15:18] [18] “Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him”

Hence EVIL exist because a great many Rational human beings have desired EVIL Over Love and Goodness; themselves over GOD Himself, thus getting a failing grade in God’s Life test if there is to repentance and conversion before they die.

The “Mystery” of Suffering

Is Suffering actually a “Mystery?” No it is not.

Jesus became Incarnate man; a human person like us in every way but for sin for many reasons. One key reason often overlooked is that Jesus became man to model for us the most assured path to Heaven.

Mt. 19:21 [21] Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.

Lk. 9: 23-25 “. [23] And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [24] For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. [25] For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?”

Both of these teachings share a common message. IF you’re going to follow ME, expect to suffer.

It’s no stretch of our imagination to grasp the reality that Christ and the Apostles suffered in varying manners, every day of Christ three year Ministry. Loss of creature comforts; the uncertainties for food and lodgings, being barraged daily for the constant Help ME, Help ME’s; and the Apostles, like Jesus, even gave up their livelihoods and homes. Jesus often found it “necessary” to get away to pray for the help HE needed to carry on. And the culmination of Christ Ministry was His Passion and Death; being NAILED hand and foot to the Cross.

“And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.”
[Matthew 10:38]

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
[Matthew 16:24]

“And calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
[Mark 8:34]

“And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
[Luke 14:27]

We know that the more often a Lesson is taught and repeated in the Bible; the greater is its importance to God; and the GREATER is its significance to Us and our salvation.

Suffering exist as an OPPORTUNITY to Glorify God and to Sanctify ourselves {obtain more graces}.

When we suffer and offer it up either for ourselves or someone else God is Glorified and we receive additional graces which can be passed on to another person.

When we suffer but do not offer it up; but instead complain and make ours and everyone around us miserable; God is still Glorified for having given us the opportunity to merit additional graces; but we lose out on the lost opportunity presented to us.

SUMMARY:

Evil exist as man’s freewill option to choose to HATE God

Suffering exist as a God’s Life Test opportunity to accept God’s will for us in the present moment; to accept it and offer it up and thereby merit additional Graces.

May our Loving God continue to guide our GOD TEST Lives,

Patrick

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