Salvation and Assurance of Salvation

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
These are two different things.

One may truly have salvation, and yet not be entirely conscious or assured of his salvation. We are not only called to be saved, but also to attain to an assurance that we are indeed saved (Hebrews 6:11-12).

Recently I discovered that I had a significant chunk of money sitting in a retirement account that I had no idea that I had! I was able to transfer this money to an HSA to help pay for some medical stuff. Since we have some medical bills coming up, we saw this as the Lord's provision. He provided that money right in time. But upon further reflection, I realize that I always had that money there and available for use. I just didn't really know I had it. I was not conscious of all that was at my disposal and I certainly was not assured that I had the means to cover medical costs.

But even though I was not assured of these funds, they were mine nonetheless.

So can a person be truly saved, and yet struggle with being assured that they are truly saved. Some teach that all who are saved will always be certain that they are saved. This is unbiblical. Others teach that those who are saved can never be certain that they are saved. This is likewise unbiblical. We are called to both be saved and to reach an assurance of our salvation in this life.
 

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Also there are those who have assurance and they won't be saved.

I would not call this assurance. I would call this "false assurance". You cannot truly be assured of something that is not true.
 
Upvote 0

zippy2006

Dragonsworn
Nov 9, 2013
6,776
3,377
✟242,011.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Here is a relevant article explaining Aquinas' view: Certainty of Salvation.

In general, though, Catholics would say that perfect, indubitable assurance is a special grace of private revelation that is rarely given. At times in his life St. Paul did not even possess such assurance (1 Corinthians 4:4, Philippians 3:12-14).
 
Upvote 0
Oct 21, 2003
6,793
3,289
Central Time Zone
✟107,193.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
These are two different things.

One may truly have salvation, and yet not be entirely conscious or assured of his salvation. We are not only called to be saved, but also to attain to an assurance that we are indeed saved (Hebrews 6:11-12).

Recently I discovered that I had a significant chunk of money sitting in a retirement account that I had no idea that I had! I was able to transfer this money to an HSA to help pay for some medical stuff. Since we have some medical bills coming up, we saw this as the Lord's provision. He provided that money right in time. But upon further reflection, I realize that I always had that money there and available for use. I just didn't really know I had it. I was not conscious of all that was at my disposal and I certainly was not assured that I had the means to cover medical costs.

But even though I was not assured of these funds, they were mine nonetheless.

So can a person be truly saved, and yet struggle with being assured that they are truly saved. Some teach that all who are saved will always be certain that they are saved. This is unbiblical. Others teach that those who are saved can never be certain that they are saved. This is likewise unbiblical. We are called to both be saved and to reach an assurance of our salvation in this life.

Great post, I wholeheartedly agree! :oldthumbsup: Bless you brother :preach:
 
Upvote 0

zippy2006

Dragonsworn
Nov 9, 2013
6,776
3,377
✟242,011.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Also there are those who have assurance and they won't be saved.

Great point, and pithy too! Here are some points for those in favor of the OP's position to consider:
  1. Do you hold to "Once Saved, Always Saved"?
  2. How and when is assurance gained?
  3. Is man's free will retained after assurance?
 
Upvote 0

RC1970

post tenebras lux
Jul 7, 2015
1,903
1,558
✟80,684.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Great point, and pithy too! Here are some points for those in favor of the OP's position to consider:
  1. Do you hold to "Once Saved, Always Saved"?
  2. How and when is assurance gained?
  3. Is man's free will retained after assurance?
1. The Scriptures clearly teach this, so yes.
2. Once you understand #1.
3. Concerning the things of God, no one has free will.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: zippy2006
Upvote 0

zippy2006

Dragonsworn
Nov 9, 2013
6,776
3,377
✟242,011.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
1. The Scriptures clearly teach this, so yes.
2. Once you understand #1.
3. Concerning the things of God, no one has free will.

Is everyone who believes they are saved, in fact saved? I don't see how the epistemological hurdle goes away.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

zippy2006

Dragonsworn
Nov 9, 2013
6,776
3,377
✟242,011.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Okay, try this:

Once you correctly understand #1, with all of it's epistemological nuance.

"Epistemological nuance" doesn't square a circle. :D

We all know folks who possess assurance and are not in fact saved, or else have fallen away after professing said assurance.
 
Upvote 0

Phil W

Well-Known Member
Apr 15, 2019
3,187
675
69
Mesa, Az
✟67,340.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
These are two different things.

One may truly have salvation, and yet not be entirely conscious or assured of his salvation. We are not only called to be saved, but also to attain to an assurance that we are indeed saved (Hebrews 6:11-12).

Recently I discovered that I had a significant chunk of money sitting in a retirement account that I had no idea that I had! I was able to transfer this money to an HSA to help pay for some medical stuff. Since we have some medical bills coming up, we saw this as the Lord's provision. He provided that money right in time. But upon further reflection, I realize that I always had that money there and available for use. I just didn't really know I had it. I was not conscious of all that was at my disposal and I certainly was not assured that I had the means to cover medical costs.

But even though I was not assured of these funds, they were mine nonetheless.

So can a person be truly saved, and yet struggle with being assured that they are truly saved. Some teach that all who are saved will always be certain that they are saved. This is unbiblical. Others teach that those who are saved can never be certain that they are saved. This is likewise unbiblical. We are called to both be saved and to reach an assurance of our salvation in this life.

As we won't be judged till the last day, I have always thought of your scenario as a moot point.
We are exhorted to "endure till the end"...and having done so, then will be judged worthy of eternal life. (2 Cor 5:10)
 
Upvote 0

Jonaitis

Soli Deo Gloria
Jan 4, 2019
5,191
4,204
Wyoming
✟122,609.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
So can a person be truly saved, and yet struggle with being assured that they are truly saved. Some teach that all who are saved will always be certain that they are saved. This is unbiblical. Others teach that those who are saved can never be certain that they are saved. This is likewise unbiblical. We are called to both be saved and to reach an assurance of our salvation in this life.

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation (2LBC)

1. Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
(Job 8:13-14; Matthew 7:22-23; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:2, 5)

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.
(Hebrews 6:11, 19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11; Romans 8:15, 16; 1 John 3:1-3)

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; -so far is it from inclining men to looseness.
(Isaiah 50:10; Psalms 88; Psalms 77:1-12; 1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11-12; Romans 5:1, 2, 5; Romans 14:17; Psalms 119:32; Romans 6:1,2; Titus 2:11-12, 14 )

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light, yet are they never destitute of the seed of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived, and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.
(Canticles 5:2, 3, 6; Psalms 51:8, 12, 14; Psalms 116:11; Psalms 77:7, 8; Psalms 31:22; Psalms 30:7; 1 John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Psalms 42:5, 11; Lamentations 3:26-31)
 
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
As we won't be judged till the last day, I have always thought of your scenario as a moot point.
We are exhorted to "endure till the end"...and having done so, then will be judged worthy of eternal life. (2 Cor 5:10)

Nailed it! And concisely.
 
Upvote 0