Free Does the Bible Really Say That?: Discovering Catholic Teaching in Scripture by Patrick Madrid Page A

No. So this means that some who have been saved fall back into grievous sin, thereby losing their salvation.
    And recall the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21–35. Although the merciful king forgave him and wiped out his debt, the unforgiving servant proceeded to mistreat a fellow servant. When the king discovered this, he reinstated his debt and threw him into prison!
    Christians can indeed lose their salvation by sinful rebellion against God, for as Christ promised, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35, emphasis added). Ask yourself: Why would Christ warn Christians about this, if there was no danger that it could happen to them?
     
    Further Reading: Matthew 7:21–23; 10:22; John 5:29; Romans 2:5–11; 8:24–25; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 10:12; Hebrews 6:11; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 John 3:21–24; 4:20–21

CHAPTER 20
    Is It a Sin to Vote for Pro-Abortion Candidates?
     
    Not since the Civil War crisis over slavery has a controversial moral issue so divided Americans and roiled society as has abortion. The deliberate killing of an unborn child through an abortion, though currently enjoying the “legitimacy” of legality in this country (slavery was also once legal), is, nonetheless, a grave evil that must be opposed.
    But how, exactly, can one properly oppose something that is already permitted by law?
    There are many peaceful, legal and constructive ways to oppose abortion and work for the overturn and elimination of the existing laws that allow for this hideous crime against children. The most direct and far-reaching method, certainly, is to vote for pro-life candidates running for political office. Or, at the very least, to not vote for candidates who are avowedly anti-life (that is, pro-abortion).
    Regardless of political affiliations and inclinations, we should all reflect carefully on what Scripture says about how our votes will promote or prevent the continued legalization of the crime of abortion.
    Let’s ponder Exodus 20:13, where God commanded Moses, “Thou shalt not kill.” The literal meaning of this command is “thou shalt not murder ”—the intentional killing of an innocent life. (Someone who is guilty of a crime that is punishable by death is not being murdered when executed. [see CCC , 2261, 2263]).
    Genesis 9:5–7   “For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning; of every beast I will require it and of man; of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image. And you, be fruitful and multiply, bring forth abundantly on the earth and multiply in it.” It’s worth noting that in this passage the truth that humans are made in God’s image is linked to the command to “be fruitful and multiply,” alluding to procreation.
    The unborn child is a human being made in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). The unborn child is utterly innocent of having committed any evil act and, therefore, cannot under any circumstances be intentionally murdered through abortion or any other means.
    And it is a fact that those who intentionally promote and perpetuate the crime of abortion through their political actions or their voting, are complicit in the sin of murder.
    The Catholic Church’s “Declaration on Procured Abortion” explains: “It must in any case be clearly understood that whatever may be laid down by civil law in this matter, man can never obey a law which is in itself immoral, and such is the case of a law which would admit in principle the liceity [legalization] of abortion. Nor can he take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or vote for it. ” 1
    Look at what God says about those who don’t have the courage to stand up and speak out against this crime (and the way we vote is surely a way to do just that).
    Jeremiah 7:1, 8–10   “The word that came to Jeremiah