As a biblical born-again Christian, I have often asked myself that question.
In my humble view, tragically I conclude that many Catholics do not know Jesus. How do I know?
Well, I was one, from a strict Catholic family too... many of my close relatives still are.
The Bible
They don't read the Bible, they don't know the Word of God ; they don't know it, much less study it.
Many of them are not interested in knowing it, learning from it and following it, sharing it, LIVING IT!
Relationship with Jesus
They don't know Jesus, His love, his power, his commands. They don't have a personal intimate relationship with Him.
Which God?
Also in my experience when talking to many of them when you remove all the layers of religion, culture and tradition, what is left is that many Catholics do NOT believe in Yahweh or have the fear of God in them but in their own god:
"Me, Myself and I" under the disguise, the excuse, the pretense of the cult of Mary, the saints, the candles, the images, the "holy father" and other catholic paraphernalia.
In summary, idolatry under the guise of religion, instead of a living faith in Yahweh.
I pray for sincere Catholics to repent, search, know and submit to the real Jesus, the Living God!
And do it very soon, because time is pressing... The Last Days...
In His loving name!
These are some of the scriptures that I read when I started studying the Bible that opened my eyes and heart.
IDOLS
»‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God.»
- Leviticus 26:1
JESUS' FAMILY
»And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour»
- Luke 1:46-47
»While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’
But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’»
- Luke 11:27-28
The True Kindred of Jesus
»While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.
But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”»
- Matthew 12:46-50
»Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.»
- Luke 2:46-50
HERESIES AND OBEDIENCE TO THE BIBLE
As a biblical, born-again Christian, I have been reviled as a "heretic" by Catholics on several occasions.
The Catholics' "heresies" are the biblical, born-again Christians' faithful obedience to The Lord's Word.
»God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
Be happy about it! Be very glad!
For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.»
- Matthew 5:10-12
IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE
»Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.»
- John 14:6
»For there is one God;
there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all —this was attested at the right time.»
- 1 Timothy 2:5-7
»let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”»
- Acts 4:10-12
»Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;»
- John 14:13
What can Mary and the numerous Catholic "saints" do that the Alpha and Omega, the Ancient of Days, the Beginning and the End, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent personal God that the Bible tells us about (see Job 38, Job 39) can't?
HOLY, ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
»and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.»
- 1 Peter 2:5
»But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.»
- 1 Peter 2:9
»and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.»
- Revelation 1:6
BAPTISM AND BEING BORN-AGAIN
»Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.»
- John 3:3-5
»He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.»
- Mark 16:16
»I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.»
- Matthew 3:11
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