All Christians say that God loves us. However, nobody ever seems to discuss whether he likes us. My parents loved me, but in many ways, it was more important that they liked me; that they were proud of me. I know God loves me, but I also would like to know that he is "well-pleased" with me. I don't just want salvation, I want to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I don't pose this question as a Catholic. I don't even know if there is a Catholic position on this issue. I am just curious what other Christians, including other Catholics, believe.
2 Tim 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and
not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
==========================
Rom 2:
3 But do you suppose this, you
foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and
yet does them
as well, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But
because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will repay each person according to his deeds: 7
to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life; 8 but to those who are self-serving and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness,
He will give wrath and indignation. 9
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of mankind who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek, 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who does what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For
there is no partiality with God.
12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for
it is not the hearers of the Law
who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law
who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the
requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16
on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus.
===============
Matt 25:
22 “Also the one who
had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘
Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’
24 “Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter
seed. 25 And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you
still have what is yours.’
26 “But his master answered and said to him,
‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter
seed? 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my
money back with interest. 28 Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
29 “For to everyone who has,
more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 And throw the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
