If Christians have the "Christian hope" (of salvation), how can it be said that they can know they are saved?

Question

Contrast the following...

"Hope so" salvation:

Romans 8:23-25 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society


23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

"Know so" salvation:

1 John 5:13 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society


13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Answer 1

Romans 8: 23 - 25 We will be resurrected with bodies, but they will be glorified bodies like the body of Christ now has in heaven. We have the firstfruits, the first installment or down payment of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our resurrection of life. It is natural for children to trust thier parents, even though parents sometimes fail to keep thier promises. Our heavenly Father, however, never makes promises He won't keep. Nevertheless, His plan may take more time than we expect. Rather than acting like impatient children as we wait for His will to unfold, we should place our confidence in God's goodness and wisdom. In Romans, Paul presents the idea that salvation is both present and future. It is present because the moment we believe in Jesus Christ as Savior we ARE SAVED. our new life begins. But at the same time, we have not fully received all the benefits and blessings of salvation that will be ours when Christ's new Kingdom is completely esstablished. While we can be confident of our salvation, we still look ahead with hope and trust toward that complete change of body and personality that lies beyond this life.
1 John 5:13 Some people hope they will be given eternal life. John says we can know we have it. Our certainty is based on God's promise that He has given us eternal life through His Son. This is true whether you feel close to God or distant from Him. Eternal life is not based on feelings, but on facts. You can know you have eternal life if you believe God's truth. If you lack assurance whether you are a Christian, ask yourself: "Have I honestly committed my life to Him as my Savior and Lord?" If so, you know by faith that you are indeed a child of God.

Answer 2

Christians like to imagine that once someone becomes a Christian, they never change their belief. The basic idea is that the "holy spirit comes into them and changes them. So what if they later change their mind and abandon their belief? Well, obviously they never were a proper Christian after all! It seems that it is conveniently impossible to tell "real" Christians from "fake" ones, unless the "fake" ones later abandon their belief. This is really just a version of the "no true scotsman" fallacy, which goes something like this: Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing". Of course, the obvious reality that can be seen by any unbiased observer is that religions are just belief systems. People change and their beliefs change too. People who were once devout Christians can later become atheists, and vice versa. The fact they abandon their previous religion doesn't mean that they weren't a "proper" Christian beforehand.

Answer 3

Many future events in the bible are written as if they have already been accomplished.

As a body, all Christians are saved.
As individuals, each must must pass judgement.

Rom 11:20Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 . . . but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness.


As a body, all Christians are sealed.
As individuals, each are sealed upon receiving their reward.

I think this says it best:

quote:

*yachadhoo* wrote:

Here are some “hard” truths:

2) Many people who are “sure” they are going to heaven, yet end up going to hell.

end quote.

This hard truth proves all the other statements he wrote to be in error.

Rev 3:1-5 shows a person's name can be removed (blot out) of the book of life.

1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spiritsof God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

People say they have God's Spirit, then why do they refuse to listen to what it is saying to the churches?

Heb 6: 4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, becauseto their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Paul says, those who have received the holy spirit, have tasted the heavenly gift, can lose it.

Individually we maintain our hope in salvation, until we receive it.

If Paul could lose his salvation, who are we to say we can not.
We are not better than Paul are we?

God does not love us more than Paul, does he?

It is pride and not humility that drives 'once saved always saved.'

.

Answer 4

John 1: 12- To all who believed in him, he gave the right to become children of God.
Romans 8: 12-14, Those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God.

Answer 5

Jesus is HOPE.So when you have HIM you have Hope.I know I have Eternal life because He is in me.He promised to come and take up His abode in us.Acts 2:38 says Repent and be baptized in Jesus name and you shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost which is Eternal Life.I know I am saved because I know HE died and rose again for my salvation.

Answer 6

See the Bible.
The Apocalypse.
I know it's very hard to belive what is written there.

So more important is to follow the 10 commandments, to follow the good of the Bible.

Take good care!

Answer 7

G1680
ἐλπίς
elpis
el-pece'
Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: - faith, hope.

G4100
πιστεύω
pisteuō
pist-yoo'-o
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

Both Greek words that you have issue with have to do with CONFIDENCE... Is your problem with the two different author's way of expressing themselves in two different epistles?

Worry not - dear one... the writing styles may be different, but the message is the same. We have confidence in our salvation.

Peace.

Answer 8

Sure knowledge only comes by the power of the Holy Ghost which must be bestowed by the laying on of hands by one having authority. That right has been restored in our day.

Answer 9

I think you aluded to it in the scripture you quoted. The fullness of oour redemption will involve the redemption of our bodies. And beccause this is a future event we are hopeful.

Answer 10

No one knows for sure if they are saved. The only one who knows with certainty is God. The best we can hope for is Grace and Mercy.