So you are sure you are saved?

Question

Has anyone ever asked you if you are "saved"? Some people promote a very attractive idea: All true Christians, regardless of how they live, have an absolute assurance of salvation, once they accept Jesus into their hearts as "their personal Lord and Savior." The problem is that this belief is contrary to the Bible & constant Christian teaching.

Recall what Paul told the Christians of his day: "If we have died with him [in baptism; see Rom. 6:3-4] we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:11-12). So, ff we do NOT persevere, we shall NOT reign with him. In other words, Christians can forfeit heaven. Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13; cf. 25:31-46). Ergo, if you do not endure to the end, well........

The Bible makes it clear that Christians have a moral assurance of salvation (God will be true to his word and will grant salvation to those who have faith in Christ and are obedient to him [1 John 3:19-24]), but the Bible does NOT teach that Christians have a guarantee of heaven. There can be no absolute assurance of salvation. Writing to Christians, Paul said, "See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness, otherwise you too will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22-23; Matt. 18:21-35, 1 Cor. 15:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:20-21).

Note that Paul includes an important condition: "provided you remain in his kindness." He is saying that Christians can lose their salvation by throwing it away. He warns, "Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall" (1 Cor. 10:11-12). , Paul admitted that even he could fall away: "I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:27). In saying this he points out that even he cannot be infallibly sure of his own present state or of his future salvation.

As a Catholic, when someone asks me if I have been "saved," I answer: "I am redeemed by the blood of Christ, I trust in him alone for my salvation, and, as the Bible teaches, I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), knowing that it is God's gift of grace that is working in me."

What are you thought on this?

Answer 1

To the original Question, I (as a messianic/pentacostal believer) would have to say that your answer at the end of your post is right on the money. You are trusting in Yeshua (Jesus) and not your own works, however you recognise your own part in being responsible for the way you live. Keep upi the faith, and God bless you for it!

Answer 2

Salvation is by faith in Christ alone. Works have nothing to do with it. Works are a sign that one is truly a child of God ("Faith without works is dead" James 2:17), and it is expected that a true Christian will show fruit, but works are a bi-product of salvation and an indicator of it, not the basis of it.

It would take an exhaustive discussion to answer everything you've put forth here, but there are a number of scriptures that make it clear that salvation comes by faith alone:

Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “

Titus 3:5 - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Romans 4:1-5 - "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God; and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

Think of the example of the thief on the cross. Jesus said to him: "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise." He didn't have time to do any good works hanging on that cross.

II Timothy 2:11-12... You don't go far enough here. You should also consider verse 13, which says: "If we believe not [literally: if we are unfaithful], yet He abideth faithful: he cannot deny Himself." That verse plainly teaches that God will always be faithful toward us, even if we are not always faithful toward Him.

Romans 6:3-4 - Baptism here is shown as a picture of being buried with Christ, to rise again to new life. The baptism of the Holy Spirit does this for us upon salvation. Water baptism is merely a picture of it.

Answer 3

You are both correct and incorrect. Salvation is to be saved but it is by faith we have this as we have not literally died and as the Bible says he who endures to the end is saved.
We can be assured of our salvation by being in a relationship with God.
It is by faith we say we are saved and made new.
Our salvation is assured by faith without faith we have no salvation.

Answer 4

SAVED = BORN AGAIN

Jhn 3:1 ¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:


Jhn 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.


Jhn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.


Jhn 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?


Jhn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.


Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.


Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.


Jhn 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

have YOU been born again?

Answer 5

I'm absolutely sure that I'm not lost, because God doesn't lose things.

Answer 6

Only if I go climb into a Ziplock... but then I'd suffocate.

Answer 7

Yes. True chriustian in a true religion is my basis.
jtm

Answer 8

i don't think true Christians, regardless of how they live, are saved. what if they murder and harm others?
i believe good people, regardless what religious beliefs they have, are saved.

Answer 9

dont need to be saved proselytizer, have a eternal soul

Answer 10

My thought is you should make it more concise.