| If we sin, we must do (or try to do) something to make right the wrong we have done. For example, if I steal something from someone, I must in conscience return it even if they forgive me (especially if they forgive me). So likewise with God; even after he forgives us, we must still do something in atonement for the rift caused in our relationship. If we don't complete that work on Earth, we finish it in Purgatory before going to Heaven.
On a related topic: what Protestants call "salvation" is called "justification" in Catholic theology. That is, the sacrifice of Christ made all people just (capable of being saved) in the eyes of God. However, we still need to work out our salvation on Earth; we are not assured it.
Nonetheless, our "work" is not so much action on our part as receptivity to God's grace. He is the prime mover in our relationship with him and everything is his gift. Being that we have free will, however, we can choose to not accept his gifts (not be receptive). |
