bluedog1us
Well-known member
A new born is righteous. His faith is counted, (credited, reckoned, imputed).to him as righteousness. It is a work of grace. Romans 4 explains this very well. Deeds done are done in righteousness if done for the glory of God, and as a result of faith, because they are done by someone deemed righteous because of their faith. If deeds are done in order to cooperate with God in order to have righteousness infused in us for deeds we do to aid in salvation, then they are simply filthy rags because that would would be adding to what Jesus fully completed on the cross. There is nothing man can do to merit one iota toward salvation. Even our faith is a gift of God's grace. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.It's not my intent to be toxic, and I'm sorry if I come across that way. I am not combatting you. I am looking for areas of agreement, such as the need for rebirth, being a new creation, and in this OP now whether what a reborn person does is righteous. I'd like to know if we actually agree, and if not then exactly where.
CCC
2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life.
To say that the rcc teaches salvation by faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone is simply not true. There is a long list Catholics MUST believe and do for salvation. And that is a different gospel than the apostles taught!