38: Can I know for sure whether I'm in the state of grace?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2024
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There are three ways of knowing a thing: first, by revelation, and thus anyone may know that he has grace, for God by a special privilege reveals this at times to some, in order that the joy of safety may begin in them even in this life, and that they may carry on toilsome works with greater trust and greater energy, and may bear the evils of this present life, as when it was said to Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9): "My grace is sufficient for thee."
Secondly, a man may, of himself, know something, and with certainty; and in this way no one can know that he has grace. For certitude about a thing can only be had when we may judge of it by its proper principle. Thus it is by undemonstrable universal principles that certitude is obtained concerning demonstrative conclusions. Now no one can know he has the knowledge of a conclusion if he does not know its principle. But the principle of grace and its object is God, Who by reason of His very excellence is unknown to us, according to Job 36:26: "Behold God is great, exceeding our knowledge." And hence His presence in us and His absence cannot be known with certainty, according to Job 9:11: "If He come to me, I shall not see Him; if He depart I shall not understand." And hence man cannot judge with certainty that he has grace, according to 1 Corinthians 4:3-4: "But neither do I judge my own self . . . but He that judgeth me is the Lord."
Thirdly, things are known conjecturally by signs; and thus anyone may know he has grace, when he is conscious of delighting in God, and of despising worldly things, and inasmuch as a man is not conscious of any mortal sin. And thus it is written (Apocalypse 2:17): "To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna . . . which no man knoweth, but he that receiveth it," because whoever receives it knows, by experiencing a certain sweetness, which he who does not receive it, does not experience. Yet this knowledge is imperfect; hence the Apostle says (1 Corinthians 4:4): "I am not conscious to myself of anything, yet am I not hereby justified," since, according to Psalm 18:13: "Who can understand sins? From my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare Thy servant."
ST I-II. Q. 112, A. 5.
His grace is sufficient...all our righteousness is as filthy rags...
Sure would hate to walk on pins and needles every day worried about my eternal destiny...
That's truly hell!
There now remains a sabbath rest for those that come to Him.
HE ALONE IS ABLE TO SAVE AND KEEP US
AMEN AND AMEN
I’m so glad that you have been open to discussion with other catholic podcasters. I have just really learned of you because of your openness with other people where you may differ in presentation or tone. That’s how I came to learn of your work. Keep it up. We need to be exposed to different tones!
This episode was incredibly helpful! Thank you for sharing this!
I read all that, and I'm still in despair with scrupulosity.
Michael Lawlor Christ said to saint Faustina that his very offended with lack of trust. Despair is evil and is against the virtue of hope. Read the divine mercy oppressions that will give you conciliation. Furthermore when you have temptations to despair just think to yourself that you are just not that important. It’s all about Christ. How can I love him batter? It’s all about him. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shell be satisfied”. Matthew 5:6 (ESV) yes also love of God true charity make us be filled with hope as St. Paul writes love “hopes all things”1 Corinthians 13. But alone nothing could be achieved not charity and not hope it’s all must be brought in prayer. Christ suffered for us. He loved us. He died on the cross thinking about you because he is infinite. He desires your salvation infinitely more than you do.
@@icxcnika7358 Despair is evil but the scrupulous can't help it. Its a mental health issue. Lots of great Saint's had this. Some call it the mental stigmata, others, the crown of thorns. St Alphonsus Liguori suffered badly with it. They say that he had a mental break down. St ignatius of loyola is another one. He would pray for hours and just jump through a hole. He said, is there a dog I can follow? He wouldn't eat until it was gone, then it went. Miracle, you would say. Please read my blog. God bless.
Pray for the scrupulous. whitecollarapologetics.blogspot.com/2019/07/what-scrupulosity-is.html
Michael Lawlor Yes indeed saints suffered from scrupulously - but be not deceived scrupulously is imperfection. Although God in his wisdom can allow imperfections to humble one we must do everything with the help of God’s grace to overcome every imperfection to become saints.
Remember only sins offend our Lord, but we never could overcome the world and become saints if we not become perfect. St. Therese of Lisiux also experienced this martyrdom in which she wrote how much the blessed sacrament is the remedy for this imperfection. I also would highly, very much so, recommend this article www.olmcfssp.org/uploads/Scrupulosity_7.15__.12__.pdf ( FSSP). I’lol pray for you.
@@icxcnika7358 Thanks for you time, and especially your prayers. Stay safe, and God bless you. I'll read that now.
Catholic brothers please look at Romans 11:6
Nice shout out to SEEK! You did a great job speaking!
What’s the closing song!??? Love it!!.. can’t find anything searching the lyrics...?? God bless you all in all you do!! 😉😊
Thank you for being brief
Great teaching
Thanks!
A 4th way: Unless you go to Medjugorje.
How can anyone have joy not knowing if they’re in a state of grace?
Because Jesus is alive, and he is the source of joy. If my joy only sticks around because of my own assurances, then joy can be lost at any time. If my joy comes from Christ, then that joy survives everything, even the length of my life.
Therefore, one cannot know for certainty that ones brother is NOT in a state of grace.
But catholics are really good at conjecturing that haha
Romans 11;6