Topic: Am I saved?

Date originally posted: March 20, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: K. Martyn

Dates emended:  March 24, 2002

Moderators who did the emending:  P. Leach

Question: I attend a Baptist College in North Carolina.  I really enjoy it here, but I always hear fellow students talking about being saved.  I have been asked when I was saved, but I don't really have an answer.  I always thought that I was.  There was no real moment in my life when I said, 'Ok, I'm saved now'  I guess confirmation would be the equivalent to being saved.  Anyway, I was told that by being saved, you are automatically going to heaven because you know that Jesus suffered and died for you.  My roommate said that it doesn't matter what you do in your life, but as long as you know you are saved you are going to heaven.  That gives me the impression that if you murder someone, but still believe with your heart that Jesus suffered and died for you, you will still go to heaven.  I didn't agree.  Also, she said that only people who follow Christ and believe in him are going to heaven and that Jews, Muslims, and other non Christians are going to hell because it says so in the Bible.  I always thought that if someone lived a good life and lived up to their personal beliefs and lived by the regulations to their church/religion, they would go to heaven.  I appreciate your time in answering my question.  Thank you, Jessica

Answer: 

Welcome to the Great Divide...you have found it without really trying.   

You, me and millions of other Catholics do not have a conscious "moment" or epiphany when they realized they were saved.  The idea that we are truly saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is an intrinsic part of our faith tradition.  It is what we believe as Catholic Christians from the moment of our Baptism.  And, alas, most of us slept through our Baptisms. 

I have to disagree with your roommate. Yes, it does matter what we do in our lives.  We have to do more than believe.  We have to act as Catholic Christians.  We are called to be Christ for others. We have to try to do the right thing always and at times we will, inevitably, fail.  We all sin. We are human.  The good news is that God forgives us. 

Who goes to heaven?  I am going to refer you to the FAQ Library at this site.  Fr. Phillip Leach gives a great answer to this question that will give you the confidence to answer respectfully your friends. 

Hang in there.  You seem to be well grounded in your faith.  Let us know if we can help you further.