I recently saw an article about
Pope Francis recently nominating 1,000 "Super Confessors" in the Roman Catholic Church. The article basically says that these "missionaries of mercy" were "created" by the Pope to forgive very serious sins that typically only the Pope or high church officials can forgive. And, "thanks to their SPECIAL POWERS, they can also absolve fellow priests from serious transgressions." This is heresy.
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By Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation), CC BY-SA 2.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25183515 |
As a "non-Catholic" I have seen over the years in the news so many instances of the Catholic Church changing long-held beliefs. Beliefs that have been in place for thousands of years. Changes in doctrine, the way they handle mass, and "giving in" to make themselves culturally relevant. It seems to have started in the 1960's with the 2nd Vatican Council and only gotten worse.
This particular event, however, is so obviously contrary to Scripture that I had to comment. I have always wondered why a Catholic was required to "confess" to a priest in the first place.
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,"
That clearly says that there is ONE mediator that goes between God and man--JESUS! Not 1,000+
Lest I be accused of just "Catholic-bashing," sadly, Evangelical Christianity has not fared much better in the last century. I've heard it said that the modern Christian church is just ONE generation behind culture in what it deems morally "okay." I don't think you need examples to know that this is true. American Christianity is no longer Biblical Christianity. The common factor and failure in both of these situations (Catholicism and American Christianity), is that it is based on religion and following rules and not relationship. Whether it's Rosary beads and Hail Mary's or saying a "sinner's prayer" and showing up for church with no change in your sinning.....religion leads only to hell. The Bible says that "all your righteousness (works) are as filthy rags."
How then can we be saved?
- Acknowledge you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)
- Realize that the payment for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23)
- Know that heaven is "perfect" and to go there we must be too (Revelation 21:27)
- But, we cannot earn our way there by being "Catholic enough" or "Christian enough" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Good News! Jesus paid the penalty of your sins! Because of Him you are declared "Not Guilty!!" (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- All you need to do or CAN do is trust in Him (nothing else works!) (John 3:16 John 1:12)
- You can KNOW you have eternal life (1 John 5:13)
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Basically, when you truly realize the seriousness of your sin to a Holy God....and realize you are DOOMED to eternal punishment....that is BAD NEWS. Then, Jesus comes and says, "I've paid the price for her sins....she is FREE!" If you truly GET THAT......how can you not jump for joy and give everything to serve this Savior of yours? You WANT to serve Him/love Him/tell others what He has delivered you from! You start to hate what God hates (your sin!!!) and along with salvation is repentance (which means to turn your back on your sin and STOP SINNING). "Cleaning up your life" doesn't save you, though.....but Because you are saved you WANT to live right to please your King! That is so different!!!! So, if you have been stuck in a life of religious "do's and don'ts" and rituals and trusting in your religion...just stop...it is doing nothing for you!!! Trust in a God that loves you and wants to be in relationship with you......you will never find joy and freedom until your life is in His hands and you are free from the burden of religion.
