Inconsistencies.

I grew up attending the Catholic church because my mom is Catholic and the schools I studied in usually had Catholic associations. I went with the flow of attending the mass, taking Communion and all the traditional rites of the Catholic Church. But I didn’t feel right, what I mean is I felt out of place in it. I was going through its motions but I did not fully accept it, because there was something in their practices that I felt wasn’t right.

I didn’t put much thought on it, until I heard my Dad talk in passing, about the difference on the Ten Commandments on the Bible, and the actual one we were being taught in our religion subjects, as well as readings and sermons we hear from the Church. That remark got me interested and I read the Bible and I realized that was why I didn’t feel right on being a Catholic. That happened when I was still in first year high school and it took me that long to finally write it down. People get extremely sensitive when the topic is about religion but I still want to write down my thoughts. This helps me understand myself. This journal of sorts is about my journey, and leaving out my spiritual journey just to avoid negative criticisms would be futile.

I never felt affinity for the Catholic Church because of the practices they have regarding saints, statues and Mary. Even before I read the Bible to see the Ten Commandments, I felt that it was somehow wrong. As students,

1. We had to memorize prayers dedicated to saints and to Mary.

2. We had to pray the rosary. We were required actually.

3. We were taught to venerate saints and Mary. (dulia and hyperdulia)

I did not feel comfortable doing so. I felt confused and disturbed as to why was I required to pray to them. After reading the Bible, I understood why. If you read Exodus 20 (I like the King James version) you will see the inconsistency between the Ten Commandments we are taught in school, and the actual one in the Bible. The following verse is not taught in our religion subjects:

Exodus 20:4-6

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

I was confused because I had been saying I was Roman Catholic whenever we were asked what my religion was. I always used it, but recently I have been saying Christian. It was confusing because I didn’t know the difference. I searched it and I read from Just for Catholics the answer to my question:

The Difference between Catholicism and Christianity

Question: What is the difference between Catholicism and Biblical Christianity?

Answer: Catholicism and Biblical Christianity are divergent religions. They are built on different foundations, and they propose different ways of salvation.

In principle, Christianity is built solely on the Holy Scriptures, the written Word of God. The Bible is our only infallible rule of faith, being sufficient to give us the sure knowledge of the Gospel for our salvation and holiness.

Roman Catholicism demands submission of the intellect and will to the doctrines taught by the Roman magisterium (the Pope and bishops). It is claimed that the Catholic Church derives its doctrines from the “sacred deposit” found in Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. However the faithful cannot verify these doctrines by referring to the original sources. The Scriptures are inaccessible because only the magisterium is able to establish the authentic meaning. Similarly the contents of Sacred Tradition can only be known through the magisterium. Roman Catholicism is mental and spiritual slavery to the Vatican.

As expected, since the foundations are different, so also are the edifices built upon them. Christianity stands on the Gospel of God’s sovereign grace. In love, God predestines His chosen ones to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, their sole mediator. The Son became man and gave His life as a ransom to secure their freedom from sin. Being dead in sin, they are completely unable to convert ourselves or merit God’s favour. Therefore God graciously grants His people repentance and faith to turn to Him and trust in Christ Jesus for salvation. Believers are accepted in Christ, solely on the merit of His righteousness and blood, and not because of any goodness or human merit. God also resides in His people by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to obey and glorify the Father, and to guarantee their inheritance in heaven forever.

Rome’s “gospel” is not good news at all. The Roman institution, calling itself “The Church”, usurps Christ’s mediatorial office, proclaiming herself as the “sacrament of salvation.” The “Church” dispenses salvation to her faithful in small portions, starting at baptism and continuing throughout life. Forgiveness can only be obtained through the sacrament of penance. The benefits of Christ’s sacrifice are accessible through the sacrifice of the Mass. Instead of teaching the faithful to rest in Christ by faith, Catholics are taught to perform religious works to “merit grace” and to do penance to make satisfaction. Even after death, Catholics remains dependent on the “Church” to relieve their suffering in Purgatory by masses and indulgences.

The Roman Catholic Church is a mighty obstacle to anyone seeking salvation, enslaving millions of people to a religious system and preventing them from coming directly to Christ.

The choice is between the Bible and the Roman magisterium; the choice is between salvation by grace through faith in Christ, or through human merit and effort in the Roman religion.

I have learned from our family bible sharing and studies, that Jesus is the only way to be saved. The following explanation from Just for Catholics puts it all into words:

SALVATION

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9).

I was brought up in a Catholic home. I heard the Evangelical message for the first time when I was 14 years old: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Evangelicals teach that a person is saved by faith in Christ alone, and not on account of personal good works.

To my mind this teaching was clearly wrong and dangerous. Wrong, because St James says that faith without works is dead; dangerous because it seems to encourage careless living since a person is not saved by works.

I was determined to study the Bible for myself. To my surprise I found that James’ concern is to distinguish between true and counterfeit faith. “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14). That kind of “faith” is worthless; it cannot save anyone. True faith is recognized by the fruit it produces.

The central question was this: “Is a person saved by true faith alone? Or is he saved by faith plus the merit of good works?” The answer of the Bible is clear and surprising: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Saved through faith … not of works! It is amazing: the same Bible that so emphasizes holy living and good works, also states that salvation is not based on personal works. The Christian does not depend on his “goodness” or his efforts, but trusts completely in another Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Bible says that we are saved “not of works,” it is referring to our efforts. Certainly it does not imply that salvation is an easy task. In fact the work of salvation is so great that no-one could perform it except God Himself by His Son. It was necessary for the eternal Son of God to humble Himself and become a human being, and having lived a perfect and sinless life, He was crucified. “Christ has redeemed (freed) us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ ” (Galatians 3:13). The payment for my sins was the precious blood He shed; not my works and penance. Certainly that is why God wants me to believe in Him.

One question remained: Why then should I perform good works at all? Immediately after stating that we are saved “not by works,” the apostle Paul writes that we are saved “for good works.” Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation.

Today I am an Evangelical Christian and I’m sure of heaven. This is not presumption for I’m not depending on myself and my deeds anymore; I trust in Jesus Christ, knowing that His death on the cross is the sufficient payment for the penalty of all my sins. My sole desire is to live worthy of the One who loved me and gave Himself for me.

I am concerned for Catholics (and others) whose life is overrun by sin and yet feel that it would be fine at the end. The Bible warns them that their faith is dead and useless to save them from Hell. On the other hand, I’m also concerned for devout Catholics who are afraid of God’s judgment, and are doing their best to merit forgiveness and grace. They claim to believe in Jesus, but they really don’t because they are relying on their own goodness and righteousness.

I want to share the same Good News I heard in my youth because it is the message of the Bible. If you want to be saved, believe on the Lord Jesus and stop trusting in yourself or anything you do. Stop clinging to your religion, and with empty hands receive the free gift of salvation. Then, for the rest of your life, do good works out of gratitude to our gracious and loving Father.

You can read more information about the Ten Commandments we’ve been taught and its inconsistencies on the following links:

Wiki

Catholic Religion Purposely takes out one of God’s Ten Commandments

The Real Ten Commandments Are Not What You Think