Assurance of Salvation for Catholics

Contrary to the perception that Catholics cannot have assurance of salvation due to the belief in justification by faith plus works, the Catholic Church teaches that once a person is initially justified, they do not have to perform a specific number of good works to enter heaven. The only way to lose the state of justification is through deliberate mortal sin. As long as individuals have not committed mortal sin, they can be assured of their salvation. However, this does not negate the importance of good works in the Christian life, as they are seen as flowing from the love God pours into our hearts at initial justification and will ultimately be rewarded by God.