Are you saved when you're
Called
Called and Chosen
Called, Chosen and Faithful
Some believe once saved always saved, with some scripture to suggest this. Some believe they can lose salvation, with some scripture to suggests this. I do not wish to argue, debate over this, just your thoughts on the above question, whichever side you're on.
This can be many fold. Humans basically don't have the full ability to measure one's faith, including one's own faith. The judgment is done by God and Jesus. You thus have 2 choices, to have your faith evaluated or give up evaluating your own faith.
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
This sets the baseline for a person to be saved. If by Jesus Christ's judgment that you are above this baseline, then you are saved. If God's judgment says that you are below standard, you are rejected.
Here's how one is rejected,
Matthew 7:22-23
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?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
This says that you need to keep doing a fact-checking to evaluate your own faith. As put by James, your works are a good indication of your faith. So you may have to keep that up for an evaluation done both by others (fellow brothers and sisters) and yourself.
There are three requirements or key indicators you can or must go through to secure your own salvation (i.e., to affirm yourself about your own salvation).
First is Baptism. This is an open declaration that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. This is clearly said by the Bible as a command with Jesus Himself set an example. It also acts as an indication of obedience to God.
Second is to be born again.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
This must have happened if you are truly saved. You are a different person now in Christ, disregarding whether you notice it or not.
If you are the prodigal son in the parable, this may be very noticable to yourself. If so then it serves as a good indicator to affirm your salvation. If this is not noticable, then it could be a problem. A lot of ex-Christians are born and raised in Christian families. They all once reckoned themselves as Christians. You need to be cautious if you are the older son in the prodigal parable.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him
We no longer look to be served. We look to serve and give our lives for others. No longer fight for privilege, influence and status. We esteem others better than ourselves and put their interests above our own.
Third is the pursuing of holiness. The above in your OP are just part of this pursuing process.
1 Peter 1:16
for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Sometimes I suspect that this can be in two fold,
- Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (in a stricter sense)
- Pursuing holiness, without this pursuit no one will see the Lord (more like a set bottomline)
Regardless, it is a pursuing process instead of a one time situation. Not everyone may see the end result and to live as a saint. If you can then it serves as another key indicator to affirm your own salvation.
On the other hand, the danger of such a saint status is that, you need to know clearly who your opponent is who can well be Satan himself, he's a very tricky person that would endlessly try his best to exploit into your each and every single weakness to overturn you. More commonly he defeats you with your own self pride and sins you may not reckon. So be warned.
Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
