84. Can I EARN salvation?

It astonished me how many people really believe that the Catholic Church teaches that one has to buy oneself into heaven.

As a Protestant, I was taught this, and so like many others, I believed it. However, the truth is very different. So I address the question, Can I Earn Salvation?

According to the Catholic Church, salvation is a free gift given by God’s grace, not earned by human merit alone. This teaching is rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and centuries of theological reflection.

1. Biblical Basis

The Church draws heavily from Scripture, especially St. Paul:

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.”

Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin are death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

These passages affirm that salvation begins with God’s initiative, not ours.

2. Grace as Unmerited Favour

The Catholic Church teaches that grace is God’s unmerited favour—His divine help to respond to His call and grow in holiness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states: CCC 1996

“Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us…”

Thus, we cannot earn the initial grace of salvation—it is given freely by God.

3. Faith and Cooperation

While salvation is a gift, Catholics also emphasise that humans must freely cooperate with God’s grace

CCC 2002 “God’s free initiative demands man’s free response…”

This cooperation includes faith, baptism, the sacraments, and a life of charity. But even this response is made possible by grace.

4. Balance of Faith and Works

Unlike some Protestant traditions that emphasise *sola fide* (faith alone), the Catholic Church teaches:

We are saved by grace through faith, working in love. Works do not earn salvation, but they are necessary fruits of genuine faith and grace.

Summary

The Catholic Church teaches that salvation is a free gift because:

* It is initiated entirely by God’s grace

* It cannot be earned by human effort alone,

* Our response of faith and good works is made possible by grace,

* And it remains a **gift** even though we are invited to freely cooperate with it.

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I’m Paula Rose Parish — a former atheist of 21 years, Protestant pastor for over 40 years, and now a Catholic convert. After a powerful encounter where Jesus audibly called me to follow Him, my life was forever changed. I’ve ministered across Australia, the USA, and the UK, and today, I share my journey of faith, hope, and transformation.

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