Editing Sola fide (section)

===Grace===
The [[Catholic]] view holds instead that [[divine grace|grace]], specifically, the form of grace known as "sanctifying grace", and which first floods the soul at baptism, which empowers one's ability both to believe and to perform [[good works]], is essential as the gateway to salvation, but not the only element needed for salvation (Eph 2:8–10). God's freely given grace is offered and empowers one's ability to believe and to perform good works, both then becoming meritorious because they are joined to Christ's saving power of the Cross. (Phil 2:12–13) (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1987–2029) A Christian must respond to this free gift of Grace from God given first, ordinarily, in Baptism (1 Pet 3:21) both by having faith and by living in the light of Christ through love (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 1:7) ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110717194215/http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/haydock/Galatians_5:6 Galatians 5:6]) which perfects the Christian throughout his or her life ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110717194221/http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/haydock/James_2:22 James 2:22]). The Catholic position is best summed up in John 3:16, if one has the proper, contextual understanding of the word "believe". "Believe", in context and in ancient Judaism, meant more than an intellectual assent. "To believe" also meant to obey, which is seen, in context, in Jn 3:36, 1 Jn 2:3ff, and 1 Jn 5:1ff. Without our positive response to grace offered, salvation is not possible.

As expounded in the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]], the Catholic Church's teaching is that it is the grace of God, "the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call", that justifies us,<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c3a2.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1996]</ref> a grace that is a prerequisite for our free response of "collaboration in justification through faith, and in sanctification through charity".<ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2001–2002</ref>