catholic answers forum 4 dummies --Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life?

Yesterday, 9:00 pm

Paul Fekete  New Member   Join Date: July 30, 2013 Posts: 124

Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Considering Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10, is it possible for a protestant to avoid commiting a mortal sin with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? This thread establishes that protestants can not claim to be ignorant of moral law since it is written on their hearts. If protestants have knowledge of moral law, then is it possible that they can avoid commiting a mortal sin for their entire life? Will they not covet, disobey their parents, etc. at some point in their life?

#2    Yesterday, 9:10 pm

underacloud  Regular Member   Join Date: December 5, 2010 Posts: 1,914 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? It's possible for anyone to avoid committing mortal sin. Catholic, protestant, or other... God will judge each person, their objective actions, and their subjective intents and knowledge.

#3    Yesterday, 9:20 pm

Paul Fekete  New Member   Join Date: July 30, 2013 Posts: 124

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by underacloud  It's possible for anyone to avoid committing mortal sin. Catholic, protestant, or other... God will judge each person, their objective actions, and their subjective intents and knowledge. How can a portestant avoid mortal sin without the sacraments to help him? Are you saying that the Eucharist is not needed to avoid mortal sin? Also, have you ever meet a person that claims to have avoided breaking a ten commandement with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? I have never meet such a person. All the protestants I know freely admit that they have broken ten commandments with full knowledge and consent. They point to Romans 3:23 as evidence that all people will break the moral law at some point.

#4    Yesterday, 9:36 pm

underacloud  Regular Member   Join Date: December 5, 2010 Posts: 1,914 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  How can a portestant avoid mortal sin without the sacraments to help him? Are you saying that the Eucharist is not needed to avoid mortal sin? Also, have you ever meet a person that claims to have avoided breaking a ten commandement with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? I have never meet such a person. All the protestants I know freely admit that they have broken ten commandments with full knowledge and consent. They point to Romans 3:23 as evidence that all people will break the moral law at some point. A protestant (who is baptised) has at least one sacrament to help them. But...the sacraments are not the only means of grace. God's grace is available to everyone, to help them live in comformity with the moral law, as best they can. Breaking one of the ten commandments does not mean subjective mortal sin has occured. It needs to be serious (grave matter), and done with full knowledge and consent. Only God can judge each person; it is not for you or me to say, except with respect to our own sins.

#5    Yesterday, 9:43 pm

TRH1292  New Member   Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 80 Religion: Swimming the Tiber, 10/2/13

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  Considering Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10, is it possible for a protestant to avoid commiting a mortal sin with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? This thread establishes that protestants can not claim to be ignorant of moral law since it is written on their hearts. If protestants have knowledge of moral law, then is it possible that they can avoid commiting a mortal sin for their entire life? Will they not covet, disobey their parents, etc. at some point in their life? Yes, it is possible. Theoretically at least. God gives sufficient Grace to everyone, because of the merits of Jesus Christ.

#6    Yesterday, 11:36 pm

Jon S  Junior Member   Join Date: May 9, 2013 Posts: 927 Religion: Catholic Candidate

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  Considering Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10, is it possible for a protestant to avoid commiting a mortal sin with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? This thread establishes that protestants can not claim to be ignorant of moral law since it is written on their hearts. If protestants have knowledge of moral law, then is it possible that they can avoid commiting a mortal sin for their entire life? Will they not covet, disobey their parents, etc. at some point in their life? No I do not believe it is possible. I have not heard of one person, other than Mary and Christ who has lived their lives without committing a mortal sin. I think the only question lies in the Protestant's culpability regarding it. For example most Protestants think its nothing at all to miss church on Sundays for any reason. The culpability for that sin would be low because they are instructed its ok to miss church. __________________ Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est Where charity and love are, God is there.

#7    Yesterday, 11:59 pm

CatholicHockey7  New Member   Join Date: August 23, 2013 Posts: 56 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  Considering Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10, is it possible for a protestant to avoid commiting a mortal sin with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? This thread establishes that protestants can not claim to be ignorant of moral law since it is written on their hearts. If protestants have knowledge of moral law, then is it possible that they can avoid commiting a mortal sin for their entire life? Will they not covet, disobey their parents, etc. at some point in their life? I think we need to make sure everyone understands exactly what "mortal sin" means. According to the CCC, a mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man and turns him away from God (paragraph 1855). As has already been stated, it must first be a grave matter, done with full knowledge and consent (paragraphs 1857-1859). Most sins, however, fall into the category of "venial sins." We commit venial sin when we fail to live up to the moral law, or when we commit a mortal sin without knowledge or consent. These sins weaken our relationship with God and with others, but they do not rob us of the sanctifying grace. Understanding these definitions, it is possible for someone to live their entire life without committing a mortal sin. It is highly unlikely, but still possible. If we remove the word "mortal" from the question, then no it would not be possible. __________________ "For everyone that is of God conquers the world, and the victory that conquers the world is our faith." ~1 John 5:4

#8    Today, 12:15 am

Lasting faith  Junior Member   Join Date: May 7, 2013 Posts: 628 Religion: Roman Catholic

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Everything is always possible, but not very likely. To avoid a mortal sin is easier then to avoid a venial sin, which is almost impossible. The problem is that some mortal sins are not sins you do but what you think about, like lust, and no matter how hard we try our thought will take us to places we don't want to. To avoid mortal sin that you do is possible, but... __________________ You will not get far with a lie.

#9    Today, 4:12 am

DavidFilmer  Regular Member Book Club Member   Join Date: November 13, 2004 Posts: 4,612 Religion: Catholic (Latin Rite)

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  Considering Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10, is it possible for a protestant to avoid commiting a mortal sin with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? I once followed a similar line of inquiry, even to the point of opening an online poll to discuss the question. To my surprise, (disregarding the "I don't know" responses), the poll came down by more than seven to three that it is "easy" for a person of good will to completely fulfill all three requirements of mortal sin (I defined "easy" as "easy to make the willful and informed decision to commit mortal sin," not "easy to commit something that might be considered a mortal sin itself" (which is, agreeably, very easy)). I was of the minority opinion. On this Forum, I have since been accused of being someone who claims that "nobody can ever commit a mortal sin." Alas. If my own protestant grandparents, and my wife's protestant parents, are in greater danger of hellfire than most Catholics, simply because they were not Catholic (though all received valid Christian Baptism), then I am not optimistic for the fate of MANY Catholics, MOST of whom seriously neglect Sacramental Confession, and practice their Faith on a far less regular basis (and I'm not just talking about going to Sunday services. although many Catholics are lacking in this obligation as well). __________________ Popes are designated "the Great" by popular acclaim. Please join me in always referring to Pope Blessed John Paul-2 as "Blessed John Paul the Great."

#10    Today, 5:28 am

ExGratia  Junior Member   Join Date: January 16, 2012 Posts: 486 Religion: Catholic

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Jon S  No I do not believe it is possible. I have not heard of one person, other than Mary and Christ who has lived their lives without committing a mortal sin. . I think it is possible for people besides Jesus and Mary to not commit mortal sin. Jesus and Mary never committed ANY sin, and I think there are saints out there who never were separated from God by mortal sin. St. Therese the Little Flower seems a likely candidate. I pray daily that my children never commit a mortal sin (they are not of the age of reason yet) and I pray that I may never again commit a mortal sin.

#11    Today, 6:17 am

JRKH  Forum Elder   Join Date: September 14, 2007 Posts: 20,181 Religion: Catholic Revert

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  Considering Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10, is it possible for a protestant to avoid commiting a mortal sin with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? This thread establishes that protestants can not claim to be ignorant of moral law since it is written on their hearts. If protestants have knowledge of moral law, then is it possible that they can avoid commiting a mortal sin for their entire life? Will they not covet, disobey their parents, etc. at some point in their life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  How can a portestant avoid mortal sin without the sacraments to help him? Are you saying that the Eucharist is not needed to avoid mortal sin? Also, have you ever meet a person that claims to have avoided breaking a ten commandement with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? I have never meet such a person. All the protestants I know freely admit that they have broken ten commandments with full knowledge and consent. They point to Romans 3:23 as evidence that all people will break the moral law at some point. Isn't this the wrong question?? Shouldn't the question actually be - Is if possible for a protestant to be forgiven their Mortal sins?? Peace James __________________ .... if I have all faith so as to move mountians but have not love, I am nothing. - (1Cor 13:2) The Best book on Spirituality that I ever Read: "The Fulfillment of All Desire" Oh my God , I will continue to perform, all my actions for the love of Thee Amen.

#12    Today, 6:29 am

Robert Joseph60  Trial Membership   Join Date: September 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Religion: Biblicist

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Fekete  How can a portestant avoid mortal sin without the sacraments to help him? Are you saying that the Eucharist is not needed to avoid mortal sin? Also, have you ever meet a person that claims to have avoided breaking a ten commandement with full knowledge and consent for their entire life? I have never meet such a person. All the protestants I know freely admit that they have broken ten commandments with full knowledge and consent. They point to Romans 3:23 as evidence that all people will break the moral law at some point. To be justified is to declared legally righteous. It is a divine act where God declares the sinner to be innocent of his sins. It is not that the sinner is now sinless, but that he is "declared" sinless. The sinner is not made righteous in that his soul is changed or that his soul is infused with God's grace. Instead, justification is a legal act of imputing the righteousness of Christ to the believer (Rom. 4:11; Phil. 3:9). This justification is based on the shed blood of Jesus, "...having now been justified by His blood..." (Rom. 5:9). When God sees the Christian, He sees him through the sacrifice of Jesus and "sees" him without sin. This declaration of innocence is not without cost for it required the satisfaction of God's Law, "...without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," (Heb. 9:22). By the sacrifice of Jesus, in the "one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men," (Rom. 5:18, NASB). In justification, the justice of God fell upon Himself--Jesus. We receive mercy--we are not judged according to our sins. And grace is shed upon us--we receive eternal life. This justification is a gift of grace (Rom. 3:24), by faith (Rom. 3:28) because Jesus bore our guilt (Isaiah 53:12).

#13    Today, 7:11 am

ChurchSoldier  Regular Member   Join Date: September 5, 2012 Posts: 557 Religion: Anglican

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? The belief that a person can refrain from sin for a lifetime through their own will is commonly considered the heresy called Pelagianism. Here's some more information:http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11604a.htm __________________  But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  (1Cor15:57-58 Douay-Rheims)

#14    Today, 7:11 am

HeadingBackHome  Trial Membership Prayer Warrior   Join Date: September 5, 2013 Posts: 161 Religion: Soon to be Roman Catholic (RCIA)

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Its not possible to avoid mortal sins or other sins for that matter, and especially not for protestants. They dont care if they sin, becouse they think that we are redeemed from all sin by believing in Jesus. So understanding that we are sinners and need Jesus is enough to be saved. All sins are forgiven regardless of size. With that view on the matter its impossible not to commit mortal sins frequently, dont you think? (at least I did very often) Besides, Catholics do also commit mortal sins from time to time even though we try to avoid them. I personally look forward to confess all the sins that I have committed in the course of my life. I must have committed many mortal sins which it will feel extremely good to do penance for. God Bless you all !

#15    Today, 7:21 am

Jon S  Junior Member   Join Date: May 9, 2013 Posts: 927 Religion: Catholic Candidate

Re: Is it possible for a protestant to avoid mortal sin for their entire life? Quote: Originally Posted by DavidFilmer  I once followed a similar line of inquiry, even to the point of opening an online poll to discuss the question. To my surprise, (disregarding the "I don't know" responses), the poll came down by more than seven to three that it is "easy" for a person of good will to completely fulfill all three requirements of mortal sin (I defined "easy" as "easy to make the willful and informed decision to commit mortal sin," not "easy to commit something that might be considered a mortal sin itself" (which is, agreeably, very easy)). I was of the minority opinion. On this Forum, I have since been accused of being someone who claims that "nobody can ever commit a mortal sin." Alas. If my own protestant grandparents, and my wife's protestant parents, are in greater danger of hellfire than most Catholics, simply because they were not Catholic (though all received valid Christian Baptism), then I am not optimistic for the fate of MANY Catholics, MOST of whom seriously neglect Sacramental Confession, and practice their Faith on a far less regular basis (and I'm not just talking about going to Sunday services. although many Catholics are lacking in this obligation as well). You are right to be concerned about the eternal fate of many Catholics. Despite the instant canonization at funerals, the church teaching is clear on what happens if you die outside a state of grace..... __________________ Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est Where charity and love are, God is there.