“And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments.
He who saith that he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar: and the truth is not in him.
But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard.
Again a new commandment I write unto you: which thing is true both in him and in you, because the darkness is passed and the true light now shineth.
He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light: and there is no scandal in him.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth: because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.”
1 John 2:3-11

Works matter!

A lot of people think, that if they say: I'm Catholic – I love God, it matters. No, it does not. Words on  its own mean nothing, especially to God (you can deceive some people though). You may say what you like, but does your acting back your words?

What the scripture says? If you say that you know God, but you do not keep his commandments, you are a liar! It is as simple, as that. It may surprise you, but God is not talking here about ten commandments. He is talking about two commandments of love. In those two commandments, we fulfil all God's requirements, ten commandments included.

What are the two commandments of love?

“Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.  This is the greatest and the first commandment.  And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. “
Mat 22.37-40

It is so simple – love your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbour like yourself. In short you cannot love God if you do not love your neighbour, and if you do not love him as yourself! And of course all that must be proven by your deeds, not just words.

Yes, I know, it is very challenging, but this is the reality; and what is the most important, God gives us the ability and strength to fulfil it!