[quote="Stilldreamn, post:1, topic:277989"]
This issue torments me. Just when I feel I have it settled in my mind, the doctrinal "yeah buts" start in. Assuming the last words on my lips or mind are not an urgent confession and plea for forgiveness, I will die with unconfessed, unabsolved sin.
As with Luther himself, I am wobbly on this. I am also curious as to what other faiths and traditions teach.
Thanks.
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Purgatory is the mercy of God and exists for our benefit. Unless you completely reject God's grace his mercy will pull you through. Remember, God desires that none be lost. As a Catholic I believe that I, like Paul, must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. That means that I must always seek to grow closer to Christ while knowing that I have the free will to reject Christ and will be tempted to enter into sin, which is that rejection. But I also have hope, true hope in the resurrection. As long as your heart is set on God and on doing God's will, knowing that at time's you will fail, I would not be disturbed that you will loose your salvation on some technicality. God loves you and of that you can be certain. He desires your salvation, not your condemnation. That is why we believe that he has provided a means for our purification, provided that we have not chosen otherwise by living in unrepentant mortal sin.
God bless and have hope in our wonderful God.