Roman Catholicism: Why I Had to Leave PART 3
THE TRUTH SETS US FREE…WHEN WE KNOW IT!
Granted, the rank and file Catholic across the globe has no more grasp of the facts you’ve been reading than the average Mormon does of their cultic teachings or the average Muslim does of their false religion.
Or the average Protestant Christian knows about their faith.
We’re all just as slothful at reading our so-called “inspired” books or researching our own historical backgrounds, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
In I Corinthians 6:12, Paul stated, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” He was possibly addressing those in the Corinthian church who boasted about being able to get away with anything they pleased as a result of God’s grace. Many still do this today. I recall, as a young Catholic boy, actually hearing friends say they were going to knowingly perform some sinful act, but they would make sure to go to confession the next day. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Gal 6:7).
My heart is broken for Catholics because that is where I came from. Many Catholics are fruit-bearing Christians who love Jesus wholeheartedly and it warms my heart to know we will be together forever in Heaven, without any pit-stops in Purgatory (which became Catholic dogma in 1439, Council of Florence). The non-Scriptural acts they perform and the dogmas to which they adhere will NOT keep them from Heaven. No, God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). However, according to what Paul said in I Corinthians 6:12, their religious activity and adherence to manmade doctrine and dogmas won’t benefit them a bit either. Such things do little more, Scripturally speaking, than to keep people busy with seemingly spiritual things, thereby producing a false sense of security while appeasing human nature’s desire to ‘be spiritual.’ Worse, it keeps many from finding the Truth, freedom and salvation and has done so for many centuries. This is true for both the Catholic and Non-Catholic Christians alike.
If you haven’t gathered this by now, from this author’s perspective, the issue is NOT a matter of Catholic vs. Protestant. No, the issue is quite clearly whether we desire Religion or Relationship with our God.
Here’s a concern that must be considered: How many Catholics are NOT bound for Heaven as a result of trusting SOLELY in false religious teachings? How many Catholics are living in bondage to rules and regulations, depriving themselves of the promised freedom Jesus offers them? It’s the same concern all true believers should have for the lost, those claiming Christ or not. Multitudes have been blinded and steered off course by manmade rules and regulations, though they felt assured of Heaven because they believed they were keeping the 10 Commandments, adhered to their group’s doctrine and the like.
They have no personal relationship with Christ and, for many; the lack of spiritual fruit in their lives makes this evident. Yet, they call themselves “Catholic” - or any other group’s label - and believe this to be enough.
Sadly, this describes millions who claim to be believers and followers - disciples of Christ. Many, even after determining for themselves that Rome’s ways are simply incorrect, remain stationary on that Highway to Heaven out of loyalty, due to family pressures, or from emotional ties. Others simply LIKE religious ritual and dare not step outside their religious comfort zones.
As a former Catholic, I can attest to the struggle I had with departing from what we Catholics liked to call “the one true church”(By the way, though I am FIRMLY convinced that Catholicism does NOT represent the one true church, I DO recognize them as being the first of scores of denominations from which all Martin Luther - and every so-called “Reformer” since then - has done little more than to hang a different shingle on another building, thus inviting the ruling spirit, the Spirit of the Pharisees).
As a Non-Catholic, I can also attest to the difficulties I STILL had with an inbred desire to be “religious.” This must certainly stem from the Western cultural desire to win the blue ribbon, get the gold star, and attain the next level of success. It’s very difficult for us to embrace the notion that it’s simply impossible to be ‘good enough’…so, we keep trying.
Fact is, we’re human BEINGS, not human DO-ings. How difficult it is for us to simply BE Children of God and nurture that relationship with Him, all the while building His Kingdom as His Spirit leads, when our humanness cries out that we go and DO something, even something spiritual, in order to earn God’s favor and the adulation of others.
This is simply impossible. Yes, the demonic spirit of ‘Religion,’ the same devil that controlled the Pharisees - the most religious people of their day - still roams planet Earth in search of those he may devour. Too often, those in leadership, overseeing scores of well-meaning Christians, are being fed to that beast. Too often, these believers step willingly, gladly, into that arena only to be consumed.
Jesus warned that we cannot serve two Masters. We will love one and hate the other (Luke 16:13). The question I had to ask myself was this: Did I love Him more than Catholicism? I knew Catholicism; did I know Jesus at all? As I’ve grown in my faith and in the knowledge of my Savior, I see now, like a young girl with two lovers vying for her affection, that there never really was any competition at all.
God bless you and guide you as you seek God’s truth on these issues, keeping in mind that the Truth really matters. Keep the following things in mind as you go forth seeking Truth. Remember, if you choose to become or remain a Catholic, based upon the following facts, you’d better be a good one:
1. You are accursed by the Roman Catholic Church if you deny some of its main doctrines (the phrase you are about to read, “Amathema sit” means “Let him be accursed”). The following are some of the curses lumped on your head by the organization many say they love with all their hearts, straight from Rome’s own Catholic playbook:
BAPTISM: “If anyone says that the Roman Church…does not have the true doctrine concerning the sacrament of baptism, anathema sit…If anyone says that baptism is …not necessary for salvation, anathema sit (Council of Trent, Session 7).
PURGATORY: If any one says, that, after the grace of Justification has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of Heaven can be opened to him; let him be anathema (Council of Trent, Session 6).
PAPAL INFALLIBILITY: The Roman Pontiff… possesses…that infallibility which the divine Redeemer willed his Church to enjoy in defining doctrine concerning faith or morals. Therefore, such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are of themselves, and not by the consent of the Church, irreformable. So then, should anyone, which God forbid, have the temerity to reject this definition of ours: let him be anathema (First Vatican Council).
TRANSUBSTANTIATION: If anyone denies that in the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained, but says that he is in it only in a sign or figure…anathema sit (Council ofTrent, Session 12).
SACRIFICE OF THE MASS: If anyone says that the sacrifice of the Mass is merely an offering of praise and thanksgiving, or that it is a simple commemoration of the sacrifice accomplished on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice…offered for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfaction and other necessities, anathema sit (Council of Trent, Session 12).
CONFESSION: If anyone denies that the sacramental confession was instituted, and is necessary for salvation, by divine Law; or says that the manner of confessing secretly to a priest alone, which the Catholic Church has always observed from the beginning and still observes, is at variance with the institution and command of Christ and is a human invention, anathema sit (Council of Trent, Session 14).
(SOURCE: The Council of Trent, the 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic church, held at Trent in northern Italy between 1545 and 1563. It marked a major turning point in the efforts of the Catholic church to respond to the challenge of the Protestant Reformation and formed a key part of the Counter-Reformation. The need for such a council had long been perceived by certain church leaders, but initial attempts to organize it were opposed by Francis I of France, who feared it would strengthen Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and by the popes themselves, who feared a revival of Conciliarism. The council eventually met during three separate periods (1545-47, 1551-52, 1562-63) under the leadership of three different popes (Paul III, Julius III, Pius IV). All of its decrees were formally confirmed by Pope Pius IV in 1564. ADDITIONAL SOURCE: The First Vatican Council, the 20th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic church, is best known for its decree affirming the doctrine of papal Infallibility. After a lengthy series of deliberations by preparatory commissions, it was opened by Pope Pius IX in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 8, 1869. Nearly 800 church leaders representing every continent attended, although the European members held a clear majority. Apparently the pope’s primary purpose in convening the council was to obtain confirmation of the position he had taken in his Syllabus of Errors (1864), condemning a wide range of modern positions associated with the ideas of rationalism, liberalism, and materialism.)
2. The Roman Catholic Church demands your mental submission to the teaching of the magisterium…whether you believe it or not.
While the assent of faith is not required, a religious submission of intellect and will is to be given to any doctrine which either the Supreme Pontiff or the College of Bishops, exercising their authentic Magisterium, declare upon a matter of faith or morals, even though they do not intend to proclaim that doctrine by definitive act. Christ’s faithful are therefore to ensure that they avoid whatever does not accord with that doctrine (Canon Law, 752).
While not infallible in their teaching, [Catholic bishops] are the authentic instructors and teachers of the faith for Christ’s faithful entrusted to their care. The faithful are bound to adhere, with a religious submission of mind, to this authentic Magisterium of their Bishops (Canon Law, 753).
(SOURCE: Canon Law, the body of laws and regulations made by or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Roman Catholic Church and its members. Canon is derived from the Greek kanon, i.e. a rule or practical direction (not to speak of the other meanings of the word, such as list or catalogue), a term which soon acquired an exclusively ecclesiastical significance.)
3. As a Christian, you are called to walk according to the truth. If, by the grace of God, you know the truth of the Gospel and you are now trusting in Christ, your Lord and Savior, it is only natural that you should turn away from every falsehood and embrace the doctrines of Christ. How can you remain in fellowship with an organization that upholds so many doctrines that are proven to be false? If that’s the case where you, dear reader, are concerned, why not seek and join a Christian community where the Gospel of Jesus is faithfully taught?
As for me, I could not remain a member of a church that cursed me. That in itself did NOT remind me of the Jesus I was coming to know. I could not consider myself a faithful Catholic since I disregarded and disobeyed the magisterium’s claim of supreme teaching authority. That NEVER sat well with me either, even in Parochial school. I could no longer conscientiously follow the One who IS Truth personified while living a lie. I pray that isn’t your situation.
Serving Christ is now an adventure as I see lives changed daily as the Holy Spirit works through me. I’ve found my purpose and it’s thrills me to life! I have truly entered into the Joy of my salvation. I’m having the time of my life serving God! Jesus said, “Those who the Son sets free are free indeed.” Thank you, Jesus…I’m FREE!
UPDATE: Only a few days after broadcasting this 3-part series, I saw a news story regarding a bleeding statue of the Virgin Mary as well as a TV report showing people lining up to pray and pay homage to a hole in a tree that the faithful say displays the image of the Blessed Virgin.
Bleeding statues, cloud formations resembling Mary, burned images of Christ’s face in a taco shell…The hundreds of apparitions and numerous unexplainable phenomena that has been reported are nothing more than Satan’s devises as he draws precious souls away from a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ. the enemy is a great counterfeiter. He devises false teachers and false prophets (2 Peter 2:1), false apostles with false gospels (2 Cor 11:1-15) and false miracles (2 Thess 2:9). In the end times these will result in a powerful deception that will even seem to threaten the existence of the Church itself.
Scripture states seven times that false miracles will mislead many (Matthew 7:21-23, 24:24, Mark 13:22, 2 Thess 2:8-12, Rev 13:13,14, 16:14,19:20). Those deceived will believe they are serving God in the name of Jesus when in fact they are “workers of iniquity”. Be aware of these deceptions and ask God for the grace to exercise discernment.
PLEASE REQUEST PART 4 OF THIS SERIES. Scroll to the bottom to FORWARD, COMMENT, or RATE this article.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Michael is founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). His eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” (SEARCH it!) are reaching tens of thousands WEEKLY. He ministers by way of email and Instant Message, too. Write him at team1min@aol.com if you’d like to SUBSCRIBE to receive his messages directly.
Michael’s mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Michael is the author of numerous booklets on a variey of subjects that will interest the thinking Christian. Since 1999, he has written and broadcast hundreds of inspirational articles and a dozen booklets, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God’s people.
