In
Lesson Eighth of the
Baltimore Catechism No. 2, we discussed the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, through which mankind was saved. Now, in Lesson Tenth, we see the chief effects of that redemption.
Christ's Death satisfied God's justice and opened the gates of Heaven to all who believe in Christ. His Death also brought us the graces that we need to live a life pleasing to God here on earth. We are saved through sanctifying grace and assisted through actual grace.
The questions are numbered consecutively with Lesson Ninth. For more information and links to other resources, click on each question below.
A. The chief effects of the Redemption are two: The satisfaction of God's justice by Christ's sufferings and death, and the gaining of grace for men.
A. By grace I mean a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for our salvation.
A. There are two kinds of grace, sanctifying grace and actual grace.
A. Sanctifying grace is that grace which makes the soul holy and pleasing to God.
A. Those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, and hope in Him, and love Him, are called the Divine virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
A. Faith is a Divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths which God has revealed.
A. Hope is a Divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it.
A. Charity is a Divine virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
A. Actual grace is that help of God which enlightens our mind and moves our will to shun evil and do good.
A. Grace is necessary to salvation, because without grace we can do nothing to merit heaven.
A. We can and unfortunately often do resist the grace of God.
A. The grace of perseverance is a particular gift of God which enables us to continue in the state of grace till death.
