# Merit ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The reward which God promises and gives to those who love him and by his grace perform good works. One cannot "merit" justification or eternal life, which are the free gift of God; the source of any merit we have before God is due to the grace of Christ in us ([[3.1.3.2.p70#^ccc-2006|2006]]). ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible **Merit** God rewards our works done for the right reason: [[matthew-05#^matthew-05-12|Mt 5:12, 46]]; [[matthew-06#^matthew-06-4|6:4, 5, 18, 19-21]]; [[matthew-10#^matthew-10-41|10:41-42]]; [[matthew-19#^matthew-19-28|19:28]]; [[romans-02#^romans-02-5|Rom 2:5]]; [[1-corinthians-03#^1-corinthians-03-8|1 Cor 3:8, 14]]; [[1-corinthians-09#^1-corinthians-09-24|9:24]]; [[colossians-03#^colossians-03-23|Col 3:23-24]]; [[1-timothy-06#^1-timothy-06-17|1 Tim 6:17-19]]; [[2-timothy-04#^2-timothy-04-7|2 Tim 4:7]]; [[hebrews-06#^hebrews-06-10|Heb 6:10]]; [[hebrews-10#^hebrews-10-35|10:35-36]]; 2 Jn 8; [[revelation-22#^revelation-22-12|Rev 22:12]] Our works of obedience are themselves the result of God working in us: [[philippians-02#^philippians-02-13|Phil 2:13]] *See also* [[grace]]; [[salvation]]; [[works]] ### Sources [[index-of-doctrines|Index of Doctrines]]