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Penance
Another series of good works which Catholicism requires is
known as penance:
| "Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all
the disorders sin has caused. Raised up from sin, the
sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing
something more to make amends for the sin: he must
'make satisfaction for' or 'expiate' his sins. This
satisfaction is also called 'penance.'" Pg. 366, #1459 |
Millions of Catholics around the world faithfully perform penance,
believing these good works are required by God to "make amends
for" their sins and to restore them to "full spiritual health."
However, the written Scriptures reveal that this practice is another
tradition of men that defies God's Word and degrades the work
Christ did on the cross.
As we have already covered, Christ paid the full price for our sins
at Calvary. To believe that good works are necessary to recover
one's "full spiritual health" is to deny God's Word. God makes this
promise to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ:
| "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where re-mission of these is, there is no more
offering for sin." Hebrews 10:17-18 |
God promises never to remember the sins of true Christians, and
declares that once sins are forgiven through faith in Christ, there is
no more offering for sin. In other words, there aren't any works
you can do that will cause your sins to be forgiven. Christ did it all!
Yet, the Catechism keeps pouring out man-made rules:
| "The penance the confessor imposes must take into
account the penitent's personal situation and must seek
his spiritual good. It must correspond as far as possible
with the gravity and nature of the sins committed." Pg
367, #1460 |
The Catechism even defines specific good works that can
constitute penance:
| "(Penance) can consist of prayer, an offering, works of
mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial,
sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the
cross we must bear." Pg 367, #1460 |
But God has never demanded good works for forgiveness of sins:
| "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and
plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."
Psalm 86:5 |
The Bible declares that Christians are justified through Jesus
Christ, not good works:
| "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ... for by the
works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Galatians 2:16 |
Paul knew that if righteousness was earned through good works,
then Christ died for nothing:
| "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if
righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in
vain." Galatians 2:21 |
The Catechism even extends this tradition to suggest that penance
can help the dead:
| "The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences,
and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the
dead:" Pg. 269, #1032 |
Like cement blocks on a concrete wall, they keep piling, tradition
on top of tradition. And every one violates clear teachings of
Scripture.
Three Questions
This Catholic doctrine raises at least three more questions you
must answer for yourself:
- Is it a coincidence that this unbiblical doctrine keeps people
in bondage to the Catholic church?
- Why does Catholicism again demote Jesus Christ by
insisting that His sacrifice was not sufficient, and that
Catholics must add their own sacrifice to pay for sins?
- Lastly, and most importantly, who will you side with on this
issue?... the traditions of men, or the Word of God?
| "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:28 |
Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
Reproduced by permission
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