Understanding Roman Catholicism

Order Copies of This Book for Your Catholic Family, Neighbors, & Friends

Table of Contents - 09

The Sin of Presumption

Catholicism maintains that believing you are assured of going to heaven when you die is to commit the sin of presumption:

"There are two kinds of presumption. Either man presumes upon his own capacities, (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God's almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit." Pg. 507, #2092

By taking this position, the Catholic church once again lines itself up against written Scripture:

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13

Stop and reason for a moment. If there is a place called heaven, a paradise wonderful beyond imagination, and if there is a place of eternal torment called hell, wouldn't a loving God tell us how to obtain one and avoid the other?

Would God make us endure an entire lifetime, never knowing how we could escape the flames of hell and be assured of enjoying paradise with Him?

Would a loving God say, "Do as many good works as you can, then keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best when you stand before Me someday."

No, that's not love, that' s torture! That' s cruelty of the highest sort. A God of love would give us a clear, simple plan spelling out how to miss this awful place of torment and be assured of heaven. And He has:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The Bible declares that those who receive Christ by faith and put their trust in Him can know right now that they have eternal life:

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

"He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

It's not a sin to presume you are going to heaven if you have been born into God's family through faith in Christ. It is a Biblical fact and a precious promise from the Lord Jesus. It is never presumptuous to take God at His Word. In fact, He loves it when we do:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:27-28

God wants His children to rest in the fact that they have been born into His family and that their eternal destiny is settled:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47

Notice, the promise is not that you may have it someday if you do enough good works. You may have it right now. This is God's will. Jesus said:

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40

Paul didn't consider it presumptuous to declare that he was on his way to heaven:

"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:" Philippians 1:23

Precious Roman Catholic, can't you see that this doctrine keeps you in bondage? The church doesn't want you to know your eternal destiny is settled because you' d no longer need the church.

How tragic that Catholics remain in bondage, serving the church in hopes of earning heaven, when God's desire is for you to be assured of heaven right now:

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" Titus 1:2

"And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." 1 John 2:25

You must be Born Again

To have this assurance, you must be born again:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

To be born again, you must receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Savior and trust Him alone for your salvation. When you do this, you will be born into God's family:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

Once in God's family, you become a co-heir with Jesus Christ:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." Romans 8:17

As an heir, you don't have to wonder about your destiny. You are promised:

"...an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you," 1 Peter 1:4

Isn't that beautiful? An eternal inheritance in heaven is already reserved for all those who become a child of God. Jesus reminded those who trusted in Him that:

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Are you seeing the true nature of God? He loves you and wants you to know that it is not presumptuous to believe His Word and rest in His goodness. God loves you and wants you to know that you have eternal life... right now!

This Bondage can be Broken

God doesn't want you in bondage to a religion of works. He wants to have a personal relationship with you based on His wonderful grace. God doesn't want you to be tortured, wondering where you will spend eternity.

Ask God to open your eyes so you can see this awesome truth. Then receive Jesus by saying a prayer like this from your heart:

Dear Heavenly Father:

I admit that I have put my faith in a religion and not in you. I have been trying to earn heaven by obeying the good works of my church. But now I see that good works will never get me to heaven. Only by accepting Jesus will I gain eternal life.

Right now, I ask Jesus Christ to come into my heart and save me. I repent of my sins and I repent of having put my faith in the Roman Catholic church. From now on I will trust in Jesus Christ alone.

Thank you for showing me the truth and for saving my soul. Thank you for giving me the assurance of heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you just prayed a prayer like this and meant it with all your heart, God has promised that you are now His child and are guaranteed of going to heaven when you die.

Presumption or Faith?

It is not presumptuous to take God at His Word. This is called faith. When Jesus walked the earth, He gave all who put their faith in Him this wonderful promise:

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3

Trust Christ right now. You' ll be glad you did:

"For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off." Psalm 37:28