Are we seriously supposed to believe a giant green hand attacked you ? Jesus Kirk . <| sep |> That is either thinking too much of yourself or too less . And I am beginning to think it is more of the former . <| sep |> From the Joint Statement of Justification by the Catholic and Lutheran C h u r c hesluthjointdeclarationen . html 15 . In faith we together hold the conviction that justification is the work of the triune God . The Father sent his Son into the world to save sinners . The foundation and presupposition of justification is the incarnation , death , and resurrection of Christ . Justification thus means that Christ himself is our righteousness , in which we share through the Holy Spirit in accord with the will of the Father . Together we confess By grace alone , in faith in Christ ' s saving work and not because of any merit on our part , we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit , who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works . We both confess that good works are the fruit of faith and justification . The primary difference is that Catholics see the choice to do good works as a responsibility , and consciously choosing otherwise is choosing to separate ourselves from God . This is the basis of mortal sin . Good works are not the means of salvation , Christ is . The Church simply teaches that you don ' t get a free pass to heaven just by professing your faith . You have to live it . I object to your statement that God can ' t give his love to someone who turns from Him . We simply choose whether and how to respond to the love He offers to all .