So you don't believe one that starts out following Christ can sin again and lose their salvation? If they sin again, does it just mean they weren't saved in the first place? So, how can one be assured of their salvation?
Hi
God draws a person to trust in Jesus . . . the way He wants the person to do this. And our Apostle Paul says,
"we who first trusted in Christ", in Ephesians 1:12. So, if we have trusted in Jesus for all He desires to do with us, this is included in our assurance.
"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (1 Corinthians 6:17)
So, if we have trusted in Jesus, the way God has had us do this, now each of us is "one spirit with Him" > in His own Holy Spirit of His own love. This has changed us, to say the least . . . to be personally sharing with Jesus, by being
"one spirit with Him." And this union is in His power almighty; I would say this is assuring, how almighty power of union with Jesus keeps us from getting away from God, and has us growing in how God's love and character is.
So, this is not a do-it-yourself thing, but with God >
"the things which are impossible with men are possible with God," Jesus Himself says, in Luke 18:27. God does it right, with us who have trusted in Jesus. The thanks and credit and glory is all to Him > Romans 6:17.
But yes we can still fail and sin, and so we need correction which changes us to be God's way, more and more, and to obey Him. Hebrews 12:4-14 guarantees how our Heavenly Father corrects His children. So, in case anyone is failing, submit to God and seek Him to deeply correct you in your character so you do better with Him, and not fumbling and struggling on your own.
Because He loves us, He corrects us. And God doesn't fail.
So, in case someone claims to get saved, but then goes the other way and stays that way, with no real obvious correction > God knows what is really going on (2 Timothy 3:13). I understand how people can do a copy-cat thing that a church tells them to do. But a person at first, also, could get in trouble, and don't give up on the person.
But as I learn and grow, I find the true assurance is not that I said a prayer and decided I am sure to go to Heaven. But there is submitting to God for real correction; this success of God in us is assurance that He loves us and is doing His work to prepare us to share all eternity with Him and Jesus His Son as our Groom and with one another.
Also, our assurance >
"that we may have boldness in the day of judgment", our Apostle John does say > is how we have been perfected in God's love >
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
So, God's love living in us > Romans 5:5 > is included in our Biblical assurance, and how this love cures our nature to be perfected in love is included in our assurance. We have heard, "actions speak louder than words". So, our assurance is not only what we have gotten ourselves to choose and pray, but our assurance includes God's action in us conforming us to the image of Jesus, and with this how He has us loving any and all people in His all-loving love (Matthew 5:46).
This is basic; I have offered various scriptures. We have trusted in Jesus, and therefore we are actively seeking Him for real correction of His love's perfection, and God is proving Himself in us by doing this with us. I gave scriptures. I don't need any excuses or explanations for what is otherwise. It is clear that it is not enough just to say a prayer but not submit to God (James 4:7, Colossians 3:15). Also, God does not fail with ones who trust in Him; so He does not get started with someone and then fail to keep the person. So, both "sides" of that argument can both be not by the Bible, I would say.
So, if we have trusted in Christ, yes we are guaranteed Heaven, and we are guaranteed how our Father now corrects us to become like Jesus, and this includes how He has perfected us in His love, as 1 John 4:17-18 guarantees us. So, in case we have sin problems, trust God to correct this, instead of only having debates about if we should label ourselves saved or not. Simply keep seeking God for how He is able, since our problems are proof of how we are not >
"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Our sin trouble is meant to convince us that we are beyond hope. I would not trust how Satan would want to convince us; but trust God who is the Good Judge to know what is really true about us and what He pleases to do > love
"hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7).