4. Penance – This sacrament of the Roman Catholic church is supposedly necessary for salvation and it requires Catholics to do good works to make amends for their sins and to restore themselves to full spiritual health. According to this man-made tradition of the church Jesus’ dying on the cross for our sins was not enough to completely remove the sins of men. The Bible clearly says Jesus’ work on the cross was complete. The Bible goes on to say good works cannot remove sins or gain anyone salvation. The Catholic church’s position is just the opposite of God’s Word and furthermore it degrades the work Christ did on the cross and steals the honor and glory from Jesus for His atoning death on the cross.
Hebrews 10:17-18 – (God speaking) – “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Psalm 86:5 – For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you.
Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:21 – I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.
Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
The Catholic church specifies good works as prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbors, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices and patient acceptance of the cross we all bear. The catechism even suggests penance can help the dead by almsgiving, indulgences and works of Penance on behalf of the dead. The church never passes on the opportunity to play on people’s emotions in order to keep the church coffers full by using spiritual blackmail.
Hebrews 9:27:27 – And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
The Bible is clear that the “testing time” for man ends upon death and whatever they have sown they will reap. That is a spiritual law and nothing we do in this physical world will move the needle one way or the other. To say otherwise is to keep people in spiritual bondage based on false hopes. The Bible clearly says good works cannot save you when you’re alive so it stands to reason good works done on your behalf also cannot save you after you die. Will you believe what God says or will you believe in the traditions of evil men established for their own vested interest which in this case is to maintain the wealth, influence and power of the Catholic church.
Witnessing for Christ