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To: papertyger; Marysecretary
I have the assurance of my salvation NOW, not after the casket is closed.

You have no other "assurance" than your interpretation of Scripture.

Yet we read in Romans 8:

"15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

From the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith:

18.2 This certainty is not mere conjecture or probability based on a fallible hope. Rather it is an infallible assurance of faith based on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel, on the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit (about which promises have been made), and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption who witnesses with our spirits that we are the children of God. As the fruit of this assurance, the Spirit keeps our hearts both humble and holy.

18.3 This infallible assurance is not an essential part of faith, for a true believer may wait a long time, and struggle with many difficulties before obtaining it. Yet we may obtain it without extraordinary revelation and by the right use of ordinary means, for we are enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given to us by God. Therefore it is the duty of everyone to be as diligent as possible to make their calling and election sure, so that their hearts may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in carrying out the duties of obedience. These duties are the natural fruits of this assurance, for it is far from inclining people to loose living.

My experience follows the confession - that assurance didn't come immediately, but followed as I matured and came to know more of God & Scripture.

If you lack assurance, I suggest you carefully consider your beliefs. For in scripture, our justification is past tense. There is no basis in scripture for facing death without assurance of eternal life, unless such is your choice.

846 posted on 06/29/2009 10:14:43 PM PDT by Mr Rogers (I loathe the ground he slithers on!)
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To: Mr Rogers
For in scripture, our justification is past tense.

In scripture, you have to skip over all the places that talk about losing that salvation.

860 posted on 06/29/2009 10:49:48 PM PDT by papertyger (A difference that makes no difference is no difference)
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To: Mr Rogers

Amen, Mr. Rogers. I have peace amidst my afflictions that when I die I will go to be with the Lord for all eternity. That HOPE and assurance sustains me. Thank you.


910 posted on 06/30/2009 5:22:29 AM PDT by Marysecretary (GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!)
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To: Mr Rogers

I think it’s incredibly sad that Catholics have no assurance of their salvation. Even scripture says we can have that assurance but when we tell them things like that, they boo hoo and call it OUR interpretation. I’ll take any one of ours over theirs any day of the week


1,039 posted on 06/30/2009 6:11:42 PM PDT by Marysecretary (GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!)
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