Matt Perman

This might the heart of the difference in what Protestant and Catholics teach about salvation. Contrary to what this priest (I assume that’s what he is) says, in Romans 10 Paul says “the word of faith is near you, in your mouth and your heart.” Not as near as your nearest sacrament dispenser, but literally as near, Paul says, as your own mouth and your heart are to you. “For if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10). Contrary to this priest’s analogy, grace is not an heavenly substance dispensed in “medicinal-like capsules” from a priest like a doctor gives out medicine. God’s grace is his declaring us righteous because of our faith in the finished work of Christ (Romans 4:5). Literally, Paul says, faith is “counted as” righteousness. God’s grace is not a substance; it is himself as he unites himself to us, making us righteous and alive in him as he puts his Spirit into us (Gal 2:20). And how are we united to him? By faith (Gal 3:1-3). “O foolish Galatians! Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?” Having been justified by faith and filled with the Spirit by faith, connecting to the church—and hearing the word preached, participating in the ordinances, etc—these don’t bestow additional grace, but are means by which God stimulates the outworking of the Spirit he’s put into us. God is his own best gift. God himself is the gift of the gospel. I’m not trying to pick on this priest, but clarity on the gospel is crucial. It is everything.