Merit

"Can we earn rewards from God?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

We can truly merit eternal life and increase in grace through good works done in Christ. This merit is itself a gift of grace, not opposed to grace.

Quick Overview

Imagine a father teaching his child to draw, guiding the child's hand. The picture is truly the child's work—but the father made it possible. God enables our good works and then rewards them as if they were our own achievement. He crowns His own gifts in us.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Matthew 16:27

"The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father... and then will he render to every man according to his works."

Why This Matters

Jesus will reward according to works. If works merit nothing, why reward them?

Revelation 22:12

"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his works."

Why This Matters

Christ brings rewards for works—works that truly merit reward.

1 Corinthians 3:8

"Every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour."

Why This Matters

Rewards come 'according to labor'—works have real value in God's sight.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

We can truly merit by the grace of God. Our merit is itself the fruit of grace—God crowning His own gifts in us. We merit increase in grace, eternal life, and glory (CCC 2010).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Augustine

c. 400 AD

"When God crowns our merits, He crowns nothing but His own gifts."

— Letters, 194:5

Council of Orange

529 AD

"The reward is due to good works, but grace, which is not due, precedes that a good work may be done."

— Canon 18

Indulgences

Justification

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