[Bodleian_Girl]

Scripture teaches that one’s final salvation depends on the state of the soul at death.

1 John 5:12
 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

[JLLH]

“1 John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Great post, Bodleian Girl! I have greatly enjoyed reading your posts. Thank you for standing for the Gospel!

[boatbums]

As far as someone being truly saved, we know that only God sees the heart. We can only look at outside appearances. Having said that, though, anyone who is depending on their own merits or good works/deeds in any way is not really trusting in Jesus Christ as their savior. Either we are saved by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross or we earn salvation by our works. Scripture is extremely clear that it cannot be grace and works.

[NYer]

As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:18, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13).