O'Malley & Noel,
but she could have said no - I agree that God provided her with faith and the grace that gave her the strength to say yes - but she could have said no...
There, now you have a couple of little Abe Lincolns from me... Remember, the Sun is always shining!
Of course, David, Mary could have said "no", just as all of us can reject God's grace.
one needs grace.
Mary, like all of us, is not favored because of her works/actions, but by the grace/favor/choice of God.
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.?
DECLARATION
ON THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION
by the Lutheran World Federation
and the Catholic Church
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works" (Eph 2:8f) (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html).
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Rock Solid with Mark Shea: April 14, 2008 - Confirmation: Piety and Knowledge