Take a look at the comment left by anonymous in my last post. Thanks to whoever wrote that.
Tonight I am doing a lesson for my middle school students on assurance of salvation. Honestly, I have struggled with putting this lesson together for a few reasons.
One - is there really such a thing as total 100% assurance of our own salvation? Ultimately God is the only one who truly knows our eternal destination. Now having said that, I do believe beyond a doubt that our salvation is guaranteed if we accept and believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died for my sin, your sin, and all humankind's sin. He is our Savior. No question. That is the assurance that I have. But even so, doesn't God make the call our final bus stop?
Two - I guess the reason I started to question individual assurance of salvation is from John 10:27-28 (My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.) This scripture passage is many times quoted as showing that once we are saved, we are always saved. But it does appear in vs. 28 that Jesus is talking specifically about those who "follow me." So doesn't that indicate that we are to actively follow Jesus once we believe in him? Is this where we "prove" that we believe in him? The outward sign of our inner faith. But then we get into the whole deeds vs. faith debate.
I'm not saying that assurance of salvation is incorrect or impossible. I'm just asking some questions and trying to "work out my salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)
p.s. - wouldn't this be a great topic for my roomate and my radio talk show? I'm sure we'd get a few calls on this one.
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1 comment:
1 Corinthians 8:3 says, "But the man who loves God is known by God". I believe if we love God (Jesus),he is in our heart and is part of our very being (the Holy Spirit). In turn, GOD KNOWS US (he recognizes us). What an awsome statement, to be truely known by God. With that kind of a relationship, how can you not be saved. The question may be, "What's the condition of the individuals heart"? Just a thought.
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