I personally love Catholics, but I hate Catholicism. I love the people but hate the false religious system.
But may I say, there are many of God's saved children in the false corrupt system, Rev 18:4 says, "Come out of her MY people" indicating that God has some of HIS PEOPLE in the false and corrupt religious system.
God bless.
MR ROSENBERGER, I better explain to you about James chapter 2.
James must be entirely read. He is talking about "faith without works is dead". A mere intellectual faith which doesn't change the life is not biblical faith. Biblical faith always demonstrates itself in works. See Ephesians 2:8-10 ... we are saved by grace not works, "In Order To Work".
Also, something very important most people miss, is that the demonstration of works in James is not works done to be witnessed by God but works done before men.. James says, "I will show you my faith by my works" [2:18] He is talking about demonstrating our works before humans and not God.
James does not say we need to work to be saved, but talks about the results of true Biblical faith in God will naturally produce works as a result of having been saved. He is talking about the genuine results of having been saved already and not to be saved.
Paul in Romans 3:28 talks about before salvation; and James in James 2:24 talks about after Salvation. Paul talks about the "root", and James talks about the "fruit" of salvation. When rightly understood, it is easy to see that they are in perfect harmony with each other.
James is saying that if you claim to have been saved by true faith and produce no fruit[works] as a result, then your faith is not true and is dead! But true faith will produce fruit naturally and we will produce works from the new heart and desire that comes from God and out of pure love.
Our works don't save us, but are a result of already been saved through Jesus' perfect sinless life and death.
If anyone wants to be saved by their own life and works etc, then they better have been born PERFECT and die PERFECT! Nothing less will do! But cause we are a sinner. [Rom 3:10,23], we now need to accept Jesus perfect life in place of our sinful life. If we don't we are in BIG TROUBLE at judgement wearing our own filthy robe.
I am only saved by Jesus perfect works and perfect life and death. My own life can never save me. But once I accepted Jesus' perfect life and death as a free gift, I lovingly desire to obey and walk with Him out of love, and Jesus produces works as a result through me, John 15:15.
Jesus said the doors are now open! He said its done, its finished![John 19:30] Those who claim that you have to add to salvation by your own works and life claim that Jesus atonement on the cross and His perfect and sinless life was NOT good enough!
We are all sinners, HOWEVER, once you trust Jesus you can be counted as if your perfect and sinless cause your now wearing the robe of perfection and righteousness that comes from Jesus.
Being saved by our own works is an invention of the Devil, and is in contradiction to Gods Word [Eph 2:8-9], and this claims that when Jesus said it is FINISHED[John 19:30] that Jesus lied!
Those who claim that any personal works will save them, are calling Jesus a liar, and have heard the Gospel and GOOD NEWS but have not understood or refused to!
The act of faith which thus secures our justification secures also at the same time our sanctification and thus the doctrine of justification by faith does not lead to licentiousness (Rom. 6:2-7). Good works, while not the ground, are the certain consequence, fruit and result of justification (6:14; 7:6)
Now MR ROSENBERGER, please explain this verse:
Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
God bless.