QUESTION FOR THE DAY Dear Compass, My husband was raised Catholic. He attends a Bible-believing church with me, but he also cannot let go of all his Catholic rituals, so he also attends a Catholic church by himself. I believe he is a Christian, but his belief that only Catholics are right is causing a division in our marriage. I am praying that God will show us His truth as we read and study the Scriptures, but I dont know what else to do. We also strongly disagree on our belief on Communion. He will only take Communion at the Catholic church now after reading one of their publications on the Eucharist, which describes why they believe in the real presence of Jesus in the bread and wine. To me it is more important to be saved and take Communion as a remembrance of what Jesus did on the cross for us. Is there anything I can do besides pray? ANSWER: It is difficult (some would argue impossible) to adhere to some of the teachings, traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church and at the same time trust the true Gospel. Many who profess Jesus Christ (Catholic AND Protestants) may not have the true Spirit of God living in them because they have not been truly converted . . . never really knew Jesus scripturally. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. —Matthew 7:21-23 This may be the case with your husband. Given the opportunity, try studying with him, or reading to him, the Scriptures that show he must repent from his dead works to be saved. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God —Hebrews 6:1 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy . . . —Titus 3:5 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. —Ephesians 2:8-9 (God) who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace . . . —2 Timothy 1:9 The Catholic and Evangelical Protestant faiths are hugely different. But regardless of whether you are a Catholic or Protestant, the Bible is our measuring stick. And it says that it is possible for someone to believe in vain. Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures —1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Most Catholics have been taught that salvation can only be attained by faith plus baptism, sacramental grace, good works, penance and obeying the law. For your husband to be saved, he must trust only in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for his salvation. This means trusting the only One who can save—Jesus and His shed blood/substitutionary death for us on the cross. Never forget, the work of redemption is finished and the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. —John 19:30 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. —Hebrews 7:25 Also, dont take praying for your husband too lightly. God DOES hear you and promises: If you ask Me anything in My name (His will), I will do it. —John 14:14
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:58:42 +0000
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