Can you “ KNOW “ that you are saved ?

[Call me Nic]

I think you'll want to compare the idea (not in scripture) of "whether they repent from sin or not" to what Christ and John said, to find out if the idea is right, or wrong, since it's only an idea, and of course we all want not ideas, but instead we want to follow Christ. What did Christ say? What did He say? Did Christ say faith without repentance is fine? What did He say?

Good point. Let's look to the Gospel of John, since it's the one book that is written so a person can be saved and have everlasting life (John 20:31). After examining the entire Gospel of John, you find out that the word "repent" is not in the Book of John even one time. It's always "Believe," so that's a perfect way of realizing that the Bible way to heaven is only by believing when it literally says that this certain book is written so that a person can read it and come to be saved, and that the word "repent" is not found once. There is your answer right there.

 

[Halbhh]

Good point. Let's look to the Gospel of John, since it's the one book that is written so a person can be saved and have everlasting life (John 20:31). After examining the entire Gospel of John, you find out that the word "repent" is not in the Book of John even one time. It's always "Believe," so that's a perfect way of realizing that the Bible way to heaven is only by believing when it literally says that this certain book is written so that a person can read it and come to be saved, and that the word "repent" is not found once. There is your answer right there.

John wrote the epistle 1 John, and in chapter 1 we find powerfully helpful instruction. But I love it you want to rely on the Gospel of John, and then you have the amazingly good instructions there if you follow them, such as in chapters 14 and 15 for instance, and that's so invaluable.

If we read with a truly humble listening way, so that our own minds are not talking over Him, but we are really trying to hear and listen to Him, and not wanting our own thoughts instead of surrendering to His teachings.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

So a person never has to turn his life around or change in order to be saved, which is the true Gospel, because none are justified by the law of commandments (Galatians 3:11), and whosoever sins commits a transgression against the Law (1 John 3:4, James 2:10). All one has to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and call upon his name to be saved (Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 2:21, John 3:3, 1 John 5:1). You become born again (that is, born of God) as soon as you believe and call upon the name of the Lord, and nothing can cause you to be unborn again and nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39, John 5:24, John 6:47, John 10:28, Hebrews 13:5). The cause of condemnation is never believing or knowing Jesus Christ, not even once, according to Jesus himself (Matthew 7:23). Once you are born of God through faith, you can never be unborn because you are sealed with the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13).

Yes! Amen! This is the "almost too good to be true" news that has been misunderstood for millennium. The problem is and has always been unbelief. I don't understand how people continue to think it is about them.It is all about Lord Jesus and His finished work.

So to answer your question: yes, whoever believes on Jesus Christ, whether they repent from sin or not, is saved. Because repenting from sin is simply turning from evil, but we are not justified by the sins we commit or don't commit, we're justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

What I understand about repentance is one stops living according to the law and starts living unto grace by faith/belief in the finished work of Lord Jesus.

 

[Call me Nic]

Yes! Amen! This is the "almost too good to be true" news that has been misunderstood for millennium. The problem is and has always been unbelief. I don't understand how people continue to think it is about them.It is all about Lord Jesus and His finished work.


What I understand about repentance is one stops living according to the law and starts living unto grace by faith/belief in the finished work of Lord Jesus.

Exactly, my friend. That's a perfect way of saying it.

 

[Halbhh]

Yes! Amen! This is the "almost too good to be true" news that has been misunderstood for millennium. The problem is and has always been unbelief. I don't understand how people continue to think it is about them.It is all about Lord Jesus and His finished work.


What I understand about repentance is one stops living according to the law and starts living unto grace by faith/belief in the finished work of Lord Jesus.

This is indeed the crucial and only valid first step! To come to Christ in repentance, and be saved! (Acts 2:38 and other places) Without this total surrender, one is still on the outside.

Then we are on the vine. Next, He says to us, we must remain on the vine. (John chapter 15)

But if we stumble, separate ourselves from Him, like Peter and all of us have at times -- when we do something serious enough to feel significant guilt from the wrong of it -- we can repent/turn, and thus come back to Him, and when we do confess we are restored (1 John chapter 1). It's amazing grace, that we don't have to pay for our sins, but instead that we must abide in Him. What love!

 

[Call me Nic]

This is indeed the crucial and only valid first step! To come to Christ in repentance, and be saved! (Acts 2:38 and other places) Without this total surrender, one is still on the outside.

Then we are on the vine. Next, He says to us, we must remain on the vine. (John chapter 15)

But if we stumble, separate ourselves from Him, like Peter and all of us have at times -- when we do something serious enough to feel significant guilt from the wrong of it -- we can repent/turn, and thus come back to Him, and when we do confess we are restored (1 John chapter 1). It's amazing grace, that we don't have to pay for our sins, but instead that we must abide in Him. What love!

I would like to point out that Acts 2:38 is not a verse about salvation. Peter told the multitude in Acts 2:21 what a person had to do to be saved. Acts 2:38 is simply a response to getting saved, and is not what a person must do to be saved. They asked him what they should do in response to getting saved, and he said, Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins.

Repent and be baptized in response of gaining remission of sins. The remission of sins didn't come from repenting from them and being baptized, the remission of sins came from calling upon the name of the Lord in Acts 2:21.

 

[Halbhh]

I would like to point out that Acts 2:38 is not a verse about salvation. Peter told the multitude in Acts 2:21 what a person had to do to be saved. Acts 2:38 is simply a response to getting saved, and is not what a person must do to be saved. They asked him what they should do in response to getting saved, and he said, Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins.

Repent and be baptized in response of gaining remission of sins. The remission of sins didn't come from repenting from them and being baptized, the remission of sins came from calling upon the name of the Lord in Acts 2:21.

Since Christ Himself also preached repentance, I'd not want to risk ignoring His teaching to do it. We can even expect the thief on the cross was repenting, from his attitude. We don't want to wait until we are truly slammed to repent though, hopefully we can sooner.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

This is indeed the crucial and only valid first step! To come to Christ in repentance, and be saved! (Acts 2:38 and other places) Without this total surrender, one is still on the outside.

Yes. But most people do not know what it means to surrender themselves. They say they gave Lord Jesus their life, but in truth they have not. See Acts 5:1-11.

Then we are on the vine. Next, He says to us, we must remain on the vine. (John chapter 15)

I am glad you brought up the vine. Look at this image of the vine.

Now please explain to me how the branch can willfully detach itself from the vine? Just take the time to think about that for a few moments.

But if we stumble, separate ourselves from Him, like Peter and all of us have at times -- when we do something serious enough to feel significant guilt from the wrong of it -- we can repent/turn, and thus come back to Him, and when we do confess we are restored (1 John chapter 1). It's amazing grace, that we don't have to pay for our sins, but instead that we must abide in Him. What love!

Yes this is Amazing grace. But we don't separate ourselves from Him. We may get tangled up sometimes, but He promises to never leave us or forsake us. In 1John 1 ( which I think Christians need to meditate on daily) , we learn that our job is acknowledge our sin.Our Father's job is to cleanse us when we confess it. That is so wonderful!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

[Halbhh]

Yes. But most people do not know what it means to surrender themselves. They say they gave Lord Jesus their life, but in truth they have not. See Acts 5:1-11.

I am glad you brought up the vine. Look at this image of the vine.

View attachment 226034

Now please explain to me how the branch can willfully detach itself from the vine? Just take the time to think about that for a few moments.


Yes this is Amazing grace. But we don't separate ourselves from Him. We may get tangled up sometimes, but He promises to never leave us or forsake us. In 1John 1 ( which I think Christians need to meditate on daily) , we learn that our job is acknowledge our sin.Our Father's job is to cleanse us when we confess it. That is so wonderful!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

While we agree perhaps in all ways that matter, still, instead of thinking about remaining on the vine with my own thinking, I want to humbly rely on His wording (not my own thinking) for that --

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17This is my command: Love each other.


For me, with my own individual life and walk of course, I noticed He is giving me a clear "command", and for me, that means I have to choose to obey or disobey the command at times (when tempted to disobey), and if I willfully disobey His command in a clear way that makes me feel guilty, that means I have to do as John wrote in 1 John chapter 1, to be cleansed (as worded helpfully for us). I also noticed it's highly key for me to notice He warns me in verse 6 with an "If" statement. See?

He didn't say "if" for no reason in 6 and 7, and for me, that reason is quite needed.

But when we do wander away from Him, as in Luke chapter 15 -- full chapter -- we have great cause for hope when we turn back to Him!

We will do as in 1 John chapter 1, and be so grateful to Him!

 

[Call me Nic]

Since Christ Himself also preached repentance, I'd not want to risk ignoring His teaching to do it. We can even expect the thief on the cross was repenting, from his attitude. We don't want to wait until we are truly slammed to repent though, hopefully we can sooner.

But if you define repent: it means to turn away from and to something. The context of repentance in the gospels is always to turn from disbelief to belief. They never say one time to repent from sins to be saved. They say something to the effect of, Repent ye for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. So repentance is definitely a biblical idea, but the context of biblical repentance (to be saved) is always to repent from disbelief and be converted to believe on Jesus Christ.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Since Christ Himself also preached repentance, I'd not want to risk ignoring His teaching to do it. We can even expect the thief on the cross was repenting, from his attitude. We don't want to wait until we are truly slammed to repent though, hopefully we can sooner.

Lord Jesus did teach repentance.Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ IS repentance.

 

[Halbhh]

But if you define repent: it means to turn away from and to something. The context of repentance in the gospels is always to turn from disbelief to belief. They never say one time to repent from sins to be saved. They say something to the effect of, Repent ye for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. So repentance is definitely a biblical idea, but the context of biblical repentance (to be saved) is always to repent from disbelief and be converted to believe on Jesus Christ.

That's entirely right so far as I know, but we also see that in addition to turning to Him, repentance often has a connection to confession -- which is admitting that we have been in the wrong. So, I don't try to entirely separate it away from confessing one was wrong, but kind of put them together, as they go together. It's like coming to the truth, like a turning to the truth.

Ah! It's like Luke chapter 15.

 

[Halbhh]

Often people talk past each other, but I feel we may be doing better than that. Hope so.

If you really do take in 1 John chapter 1, and James chapter 5, you should be good on this. Gotta go now. (and yes I know it's not up to me to interpret those for you, but up to you!)

 

[Call me Nic]

That's entirely right so far as I know, but we also see that in addition to turning to Him, repentance often has a connection to confession -- which is admitting that we have been in the wrong. So, I don't try to entirely separate it away from confessing one was wrong, but kind of put them together, as they go together. It's like coming to the truth, like a turning to the truth.

Ah! It's like Luke chapter 15.

Confessing what, though? There is a confession that is made unto salvation, I agree (Romans 10:9), and that confession is a confessing of the Lord Jesus. But it is not required that we confess our sins for salvation, because we receive justification by confessing Christ, not by confessing our sins. Confessing our sins simply allows us to become more perfect in our Christian walk, and is sanctification (or the cleansing of one's spirit/conformity to the likeness of Christ according to 1 John 1:9), and is in no way a justification unto salvation. I just wanted to clarify this.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

For me, with my own individual life and walk of course, I noticed He is giving me a clear "command", and for me, that means I have to choose to obey or disobey the command at times (when tempted to disobey), and if I willfully disobey His command in a clear way that makes me feel guilty, that means I have to do as John wrote in 1 John chapter 1, to be cleansed (as worded helpfully for us). I also noticed it's highly key for me to notice He warns me in verse 6 with an "If" statement. See?

Yes I see. Yes we do have the power of choice, which is an awesome power that we are still learning how to wield imho.Disobedience has it's consequences but not regarding salvation or sonship. As in the beautiful chapter of Luke 15, we are still HIS. Hallelujah! Like I said before, it is "almost too good to be true.". In each one of the examples given in Luke 15, there is never a loss of ownership. The sheep though lost, still belonged to the shepherd, the coin still belonged to the woman, the son was still the son, even in the pig pen.

 

[Oldmantook]

Salvation is by the grace of God and is only accessed by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:2). Salvation is not based upon any of our own merits (Ephesians 2:8-9), and turning from evil is considered works according to God (Jonah 3:10), but we are justified by faith and not works (Romans 4:5).

So a person never has to turn his life around or change in order to be saved, which is the true Gospel, because none are justified by the law of commandments (Galatians 3:11), and whosoever sins commits a transgression against the Law (1 John 3:4, James 2:10). All one has to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and call upon his name to be saved (Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 2:21, John 3:3, 1 John 5:1). You become born again (that is, born of God) as soon as you believe and call upon the name of the Lord, and nothing can cause you to be unborn again and nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39, John 5:24, John 6:47, John 10:28, Hebrews 13:5). The cause of condemnation is never believing or knowing Jesus Christ, not even once, according to Jesus himself (Matthew 7:23). Once you are born of God through faith, you can never be unborn because you are sealed with the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13).

So to answer your question: yes, whoever believes on Jesus Christ, whether they repent from sin or not, is saved. Because repenting from sin is simply turning from evil, but we are not justified by the sins we commit or don't commit, we're justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

We both agree that belief is requisite for saving faith however you neglect to note that Heb 5:9 also mandates that obedience is required for eternal life. Why do you emphasize the former but omit the latter? One must believe AND obey. Therefore your notion that one can only believe without repentance or obedience is not scriptural.
You quote Matt 7:23 to support your view when it actually erodes your view. In this verse, Jesus himself declares that these believers are to depart because they "practice lawlessness." In other words, they never obeyed but instead practiced a lifestyle of ongoing sin - no repentance resulting in lawlessness.
You cite Rom 8:38-39 but notice that sin is not included in this list because sin separates us from God.
You cite Jn 5:24; 6:47 but note that the Greek word translated as "believe" in these verses is a present tense participle more accurately translated as "believing." Therefore a believer must continue believing and if he/she strays or abandons belief in the gospel message then he/she is no longer saved.
You cite Jn 10:28 but fail to note the verse right before it where the promises of vs. 28 are contingent upon v.27. Eternal life, never perishing and not being snatched out of God's hand is only promised to those sheep in v.27 who "hear" and "follow" Jesus = obedience. Conversely, those sheep who do not hear and follow = disobedience, do not have the assurances of v.28
Similarly, you cite Heb 13:5 but neglect to note the verse before it where God specifically states that he will judge fornicators and adulterers. He will never leave or forsake us as long as we abide in Him.

The seal of the Holy Spirit is a down payment or guarantee of our salvation only if we continue to abide in Him. Scripture never declares that this seal or any other seal for that matter cannot be broken as the seal over Jesus' tomb was broken and the seals in Revelation are broken. Much like the down payment on a home, continued mortgage payments are the only guarantee that our home will will some day become our possession. Similarly, the Spirit is a pledge toward our salvation but it does not guarantee that will will choose to obey and abide in Jesus until we are are glorified.

We are not saved by faith alone as Js 2:24 declares that we are justified by works and not by faith alone. Our works are the outward evidence of inward faith as faith without works is useless (Js 2:20). You discount the role of works in the life of a believer by citing Eph 2:8-9 but fail to cite the very next verse where it states that we were created by God to do good works. One must distinguish between works of the OT law which cannot save us and works of obedience according the Word and leading of the Holy Spirit which are the evidence of saving faith. Your view is based upon a failure to distinguish between works of the Law and works done unto obedience to God. The former is condemned in the NT while the latter is never condemned.

Finally, this brings me back to my original question where I asked if a believer continues and never repents from drinking, cursing, fornicating, etc; is that person still saved?
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10).
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (Rom 8:12-13).

 

[Oldmantook]

Yes I see. Yes we do have the power of choice, which is an awesome power that we are still learning how to wield imho.Disobedience has it's consequences but not regarding salvation or sonship. As in the beautiful chapter of Luke 15, we are still HIS. Hallelujah! Like I said before, it is "almost too good to be true.". In each one of the examples given in Luke 15, there is never a loss of ownership. The sheep though lost, still belonged to the shepherd, the coin still belonged to the woman, the son was still the son, even in the pig pen.

In each of the three parables in Luke 15, it is stated that the sheep, coin and prodigal all repented. Therefore it would not be accurate to think that nothing was required of them. Also, all of them were "lost." What do you suppose that means? Do you think it still implies sonship/ownership despite being lost? When we lose something, we no longer own it as it is no longer in our possession. Note that the lost sheep was originally part of the other 99 sheep representing believers (who needed no repentance). That sheep strayed away and became separated, was lost and is referred to as a sinner in v. 7. Only upon repentance is that sinner found (v.6). Thus a believer can become lost, lose his/her salvation but upon repenting and turning back to God be restored unto sonship.

The case of the prodigal is even more emphatic. Jesus twice stated in vs. 24 & 32 that the prodigal was lost and is alive again. When Jesus repeats something, he is trying to make an important point so it is wise for us to pay close attention. How is it possible to be made alive AGAIN? When a person becomes a regenerate believer, he is made alive in Christ (initial/1st time). The only way a believer can be made ALIVE AGAIN is for a believer to spiritually die as did the prodigal when he lived a life of rebellion and sin. Only upon repenting and returning to the Father was the prodigal made alive again (second time). Thus Jesus himself taught that a believer can spiritually die but if he repents, he can be made alive again.

 

[John tower]

We can know for sure He saves us and can know we are being saved. But it's not over until it's over, according to Paul.

Paul wrote to people like me (and perhaps every last Christian too) and said --

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

and --

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

--------
I've used quotes from Paul here to illustrate that what Peter, John, James and Christ say, Paul also says -- that we should make effort to remain in Christ, look to Christ, keep His words in our minds, turn and repent (over and over as many times as we stumble), and thus continue to put away the old man, and live in the spirit. It's choices, and repentance, and a walk, over time. As Christ said, we must hear His words, and do them (Matthew chapter 7), in order that we not be destroyed. It's amazing grace that He redeems us in all our imperfection, if our faith endures, as He said it will if we hear and do His words to us.

Amen and amen brother .

 

[John tower]

I'm sorry but I have no idea what you are referring to. I know that I am saved by the Word of God, through faith in His only begotten son, and not of works lest any man boast. I know that I am saved by the promise in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I have faith in our God, in His Word, in the Only Begotten Son. I don't know what else there is to secure my salvation. What others have to do with their time and place in Gods design is not mine to question.

Sadly you do not know what I am talking about : this understanding is not given to all Mt 13(11) and 1 Cor 2 : Not my doing But the Lord’s .

 

[John tower]

( 10 ) : ” CAN YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED ? “
August 24, 2017gigoboy777 Leave a comment
You hear people all the time, with great spiritual pride , say that they KNOW that they are saved with no doubts whatsoever , and that if you have any doubts , there is something wrong with your faith ! Well is it possible to know that you are saved without any doubts whatsoever ! The bible says that we are saved by grace through faith : EPHESIANS 2 ( 8 ) : ” For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH ! ” Well just what exactly is faith ? : The bible’s definition : HEBREWS 11 ( 1 ) : ” Now faith is the substance of THINGS HOPED FOR , the evidence of THINGS NOT SEEN . ” So FAITH IS HOPING for something that we as yet CANNOT SEE , but we are believing that it will be , without any actual visual physical evidence of it, but only the evidence of THINGS NOT SEEN , which of course is not real evidence : So we ultimately have ONLY HOPE ! : ROMANS 8 ( 24&25 ) : 24 : ” FOR WE ARE SAVED BY HOPE , BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE , FOR WHAT A MAN SEETH WHY DOTH HE YET HOPE FOR IT ? ” 25 : ” BUT IF WE HOPE FOR THAT WE SEE NOT , THEN DO WE WITH PATIENCE ” WAIT FOR IT ” : OBVIOUSY HOPING IS NOT KNOWING ! For example : Did the great Saints of God all through history know that they were saved , or did they also have to operate by faith , hoping and believing that they would be saved at some future time , without any real present visible proof : HEBREWS 11 ( 13 , 27 , & 39 ) : 13 : ” These all died in faith , NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES , but having seen them afar off , and were persuaded of them . ” 27 : ” BY FAITH he forsook Egypt , not fearing the wrath of the king , for he endured as SEEING HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE . ” 39 : ” And these all , having obtained a good report through faith RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE . ” None of these great men of God received the promises , right unto their deaths , but OPERATED SOLELY ON HOPE AND BELIEF of things they believed would come : THEY DID NOT KNOW : THEY BELIEVED ! If we had absolute present visual proof of our salvation , it would be no big accomplishment to stick with the Lord, anybody could do that : But the fact that we only have hope makes it far more difficult to hang in there with the Lord to the end , like brother Paul says 1 TIMOTHY 6 ( 12 ) : ” Fight the good FIGHT OF FAITH . ” and 2 TIMOTHY 4 ( 7 ) : ” I have fought a good fight , I have finished my course , I have KEPT THE FAITH ! ” HE DIDN’T KNOW FOR SURE WITHOUT DOUBT , as he says : HE HAD TO FIGHT ALL THE WAY TO KEEP HIS FAITH , his belief , fight against the doubts , and he kept his faith with only hope : THE SAME HOPE THAT WE ALL HAVE TO SUSTAIN OUR FAITH : HEBREWS 6 ( 18&19 ) : 18 : ” To lay hold upon THE HOPE set before us , ” 19 : ” WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL . ” Is there anything that we can do to increase and strengthen our faith ? : ROMANS 10 ( 17 ) : ” Faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the word of God ” If we study the word of God and read where all God’s true people also had to operate by hope and faith alone : This strengthens our faith also ! Of course there are many who teach the false teaching that we are saved here and now , but the Bible says : 1 PETER 1 ( 13 ) : ” Hope to the end for the grace that IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST ” : NOT NOW ! and 1 PETER 1 ( 9 ) : ” Receiving THE END OF YOUR FAITH even the salvation of your souls . ” : NOT NOW BUT AT THE END OF YOUR FAITH ! Further scriptural evidence that our salvation is not by knowing but only by hope : TITUS 1 ( 2 ) : ” In HOPE of eternal life . ” and TITUS 2 ( 13 ) : ” The HOPE of eternal life . ” and 1 THESSALONIANS 5 ( 8 ) : ‘ For an helmet the HOPE of salvation . ” There is only one verse that seems to say that we can know that we have eternal life and this is of course 1 JOHN 5 ( 13 ) : ” That you may know that you have eternal life . ” Yet this same brother two chapters earlier in 1 JOHN 3 ( 2 ) says that we can know that we shall be like God , but in the very next verse , talking about the same thing says : that WE ONLY HAVE A HOPE OF THIS : 1 JOHN 3 ( 2&3 ) : 2 : ” We know that when he shall appear , we shall be like him . ” 3 : ” And every man that hath this HOPE in him purifieth himself . ” So we can see that when John says we can know something he actually means THAT WE HAVE THIS HOPE ! So applying this understanding to 1 JOHN 5 ( 13 ) , when he says that we may know that we have eternal life , this would mean that we actually only have a hope of this as he said in 1 JOHN 3 ( 3 ) . The fact that the rest of the scriptures all say that we have only hope clarifies what exactly 1 JOHN 5 ( 13 ) really means , and it is a widely misunderstood verse which those that are unlearned and unstable wrest, 2 PETER 3 ( 16 ) . So the answer to the opening question of this study would be : NO WE CANNOT KNOW THAT WE ARE SAVED HERE AND NOW , BUT WE HAVE TO OPERATE AS ALL GOD’S PEOPLE THROUGH HISTORY HAVE OPERATED , BY FAITH , WHICH IS ONLY HOPE OF SOME FUTURE THING , WHICH AT PRESENT WE CANNOT VISUALLY SEE , SO WE HAVE TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH , BELIEF TO THE END OF OUR TIME HERE, AFTER WHICH IF WE KEEP THE FAITH , THEN WE WILL RECEIVE THE PROMISE : THIS IS ALL BY FAITH : NOT KNOWING : BUT FAITH !

My father who gave them to me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my fathers hand : The truth is that God’s true Elect can never be lost because they are kept by the power of God , not themselves , and no one can take them out of the fathers hand : However we of course do not know for sure now who are God’s true Elect : So we have to as the bible says over and over, operate by faith : but his true Elect whoever they are can never be lost because God is all powerful : Praise God !