Is it possible to think you have absolute certitude of your salvation but be wrong?

[MrPolo]

...or does everyone who believes they have absolute assurance of their salvation go to heaven?

 

[Harry3142]

...or does everyone who believes they have absolute assurance of their salvation go to heaven?

It would depend on whather that certitude was as a result of a person's accepting God's gift of Christ's efficacious sacrifice for our sins, or it was as a result of a person's believing that they have been pure and sinless through their own efforts.

The certitude that comes from faith in Christ's sacrifice is a certitude based on Scripture itself, and so has a firm foundation. Jesus taught us that it was those with the attitude of the tax collector (Luke 18:9-17) who were justified, rather than those with the attitude of the Pharisee. St. Paul taught us that it is only when our faith lies with God rather than with our own works that we obtain the righteousness which is necessary in order to enter God's presence (Romans 3:19 to 5:10).

The bottom line is that it is only through our faith in Christ as both our Lord and our saviour that we are capable of performing the actions which God wants of us. He is the vine and we are the branches; the importance of that metaphor cannot be overstated. It is the vine, not the branches, that determines the vitality of the plant. It is the vine, not the branches, that determines what fruit that plant will produce. And it is only when the branches are firmly attached to the vine that the vitality of the vine can course through them, enabling them to produce the fruit whose source is the vine that they are attached to (John 15:1-8).

 

[Dorothea]

I suppose. There's nothing in the Bible that says one in absolutely saved for certain out of the blue. What it does talk about is working out our salvation with fear and trembling, finishing the race, and many times it says we may be saved. That would tell me we are saved if and when we finish the race.

 

[MamaZ]

I guess I would have to lean on Apostle John when He wrote though the Inspiration of God what we may know that we have eternal life. For I believe What Jesus said that no one can ever snatch us out of the Fathers hand. I don't read anywhere that we can even jump out of His hand.

 

[MrPolo]

I guess I would have to lean on Apostle John when He wrote though the Inspiration of God what we may know that we have eternal life. For I believe What Jesus said that no one can ever snatch us out of the Fathers hand. I don't read anywhere that we can even jump out of His hand.

How did John say we would know we would have eternal life?

 

[Lion King]

...or does everyone who believes they have absolute assurance of their salvation go to heaven?

Those with great faith know for certainty that heaven waits for them.

 

[Standing Up]

...or does everyone who believes they have absolute assurance of their salvation go to heaven?

Heb. 6:17-20 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

1 Jn. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Hope that helps.

 

[MrPolo]

Those with great faith know for certainty that heaven waits for them.

So is it possible to think you have "great faith" but be incorrect?

 

[MrPolo]

Heb. 6:17-20 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

1 Jn. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Hope that helps.

It doesn't answer the posed question, but reading Scripture always helps me in life, so thank you.

 

[whitetiger1]

...or does everyone who believes they have absolute assurance of their salvation go to heaven?

One has to remain faithful to have certainty.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

2 Tim 4:7-8

 

[MrPolo]

One has to remain faithful to have certainty.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

2 Tim 4:7-8

True, but can someone mistakenly think they remained faithful but be wrong?

 

[whitetiger1]

True, but can someone mistakenly think they remained faithful but be wrong?

If they follow what Christ told them then no, but if they just think and do nothing yes I would say

 

[Lion King]

So is it possible to think you have "great faith" but be incorrect?

Yes.

 

[MrPolo]

If they follow what Christ told them then no, but if they just think and do nothing yes I would say

So one must examine him/herself to determine whether or not they are following what God wills for them?

 

[whitetiger1]

So one must examine him/herself to determine whether or not they are following what God wills for them?

I'd say yes in light of Christ commands in Scripture

 

[Optimax]

Rom 10:9-10 is it!

 

[Stryder06]

...or does everyone who believes they have absolute assurance of their salvation go to heaven?

22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!

 

[miamited]

hi mr polo,

Sure, that's a given according to the Scriptures. As stryder here has just brought up, Jesus' teaching to his disciples of those who did mighty works in his name, but that he didn't know, will have lived their life on the earth assured of their ultimate salvation.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[Standing Up]

It doesn't answer the posed question, but reading Scripture always helps me in life, so thank you.

I was afraid of that. What does it mean to you that God swore an oath upon Himself? Or do you not think it is related to your question?

 

[PaladinValer]

We can have a reasonable assurance that, if we live a life of living faith in love of God and neighbor and be in Communion with His Holy Church, we will experience heaven.

However, it is not an absolute assurance because we do not know the future; only God knows this. Only He is outside time-space and knows how eternity and creation play out at the end of temporal days. Therefore, unless we commit hubris (which is a terrible sin), we cannot honestly say we absolutely know.

There cannot be any fault or wrong in truth.