Can Christians be Assured of their Salvation?

Mormonism Research Ministry ^ | Edward Mellott

[Colofornian]

"These things have I written unto you that believe in 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" (1 John 5:13).

When the Apostle John penned these words centuries ago, he did so to encourage faith in Christ, and to encourage those who do believe. The times were tough for believers, and they would get tougher. To follow the rabbi from Nazareth meant paying a high price, and many were inclined to turn back when they encountered adversity. John's words to those who remained faithful were meant to encourage them that their faith was not in vain. John wrote to these faithful ones to assure them that their faith was not empty or without foundation. He pointed out to them that those who believe in the Son of God have eternal life. Acceptance with the Father is not just a possibility but a reality. This entire letter was written to encourage those who believe to live and walk in confidence. That confidence is known as Christian assurance.

To many, the idea of assurance is presumptuous and even conceited. They consider those who express that assurance as thinking themselves better than others. The notion is that no one can be sure, during this life, of having obtained eternal life. The Mormon cannot be sure because eternal life (known in Mormonism as exaltation or godhood) is based on the individual's personal righteousness. In the words of twelfth LDS President Spencer W. Kimball, "... however powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 207).

Joseph Smith compared exaltation to climbing a ladder. "... You must begin at the bottom and ascend step by step," he said (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 348). Kimball stated, "Each command we obey sends us another rung up the ladder to perfected manhood and toward godhood; and every law disobeyed is a sliding toward the bottom where man merges into the brute world" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pg. 153). In order to gain the assurance of forgiveness, Kimball wrote, "The transgressor must have reached a 'point of no return,' to sin wherein there is not merely a renunciation but also a deep abhorrence of the sin--where the sin becomes most distasteful to him and where the desire or urge to sin is cleared out of his life" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 355, emphasis mine).

While the notion that no one can be assured of his or her salvation--even among non-Mormons-- it is not scriptural. John told his readers who believe that they have eternal life. It is a present reality to the believer. Of course, this truth is not to be used as a license to sin, and John stressed that very point (1 John 1:6; 2:1,15; 3:6ff; 5:18).

One may ask, "How can a person be sure that he or she will spend eternity with God when things are so uncertain during this life? What makes that believer so sure of himself or herself? In other words, what is the basis of this assurance?" An examination of the Bible allows us to understand that it is not in the person alone that assurance is anchored--in the person's ability to 'hold fast'--but rather in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we realize that, then the prospect of assurance becomes very apparent and reasonable.

Actually, there are several reasons that we can be assured of a place with the Lord. One is God's love for us. God loved us even before we loved Him, and He sent His Son to take our place (1 John 4:10; Romans 5:8; John 3:16). We did not earn that love by any action on our part--it is all of His grace (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9). We can be sure of God's love because He has told us about it. Will we then doubt it?

Another foundation for assurance is God's promise to us. He not only tells us of his love and blessings, but He promises them to us. When the Hebrew Christians were facing such adversities and pressures to return to the old ways, they were reminded that all of the promises to Abraham were fulfilled in Christ; to forsake Christ would be to turn from that fulfillment. God had made a solemn promise to Abraham, and He sealed that promise with an oath (Hebrews 6:13-18). Since He could swear by no one greater, God swore by Himself. We read of God's promises to Abraham in Genesis 12, 15 & 17. In chapter 15 we see a solemn nature of God's oath, that the sure hope of God's promise is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

Finally, our foundation for assurance is in that finished work of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' perfect life and his death upon the cross, we have a substitute. His victory over the grave is ours as well, and we know that we will be with Him in glory. He was offered up once for all time (Hebrews 9:28; 10:10-14). There is no more sacrifice or payment to be made for sin. In Jesus, we have peace with God and the hope of glory (Romans 5:1,2). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). They can never be separated from His love (Romans 8:31ff; John 10:27-30).

[Colofornian]

From the article: To many, the idea of assurance is presumptuous and even conceited. They consider those who express that assurance as thinking themselves better than others. The notion is that no one can be sure, during this life, of having obtained eternal life. The Mormon cannot be sure because eternal life (known in Mormonism as exaltation or godhood) is based on the individual's personal righteousness. In the words of twelfth LDS President Spencer W. Kimball, "... however powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 207). Joseph Smith compared exaltation to climbing a ladder. "... You must begin at the bottom and ascend step by step," he said (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 348). Kimball stated, "Each command we obey sends us another rung up the ladder to perfected manhood and toward godhood; and every law disobeyed is a sliding toward the bottom where man merges into the brute world" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pg. 153). In order to gain the assurance of forgiveness, Kimball wrote, "The transgressor must have reached a 'point of no return,' to sin wherein there is not merely a renunciation but also a deep abhorrence of the sin--where the sin becomes most distasteful to him and where the desire or urge to sin is cleared out of his life" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 355, emphasis mine). While the notion that no one can be assured of his or her salvation--even among non-Mormons-- it is not scriptural. John told his readers who believe that they have eternal life. It is a present reality to the believer. Of course, this truth is not to be used as a license to sin, and John stressed that very point (1 John 1:6; 2:1,15; 3:6ff; 5:18).

Jesus Himself defined eternal life as knowing the TRUE God -- and His Son (John 17:3). That intimate knowledge -- that relationship -- begins in THIS life. Therefore, eternal life likewise begins in this life (John 3:36; John 5:24).

[Colofornian]

As time ebbs away from another year, we dare not neglect a time when no clock ticks: The afterlife.

2010 FREEPER Lds threads focused on this important consideration -- a consideration of where (& whom) we were placing our trust.

Our we trusting ourselves -- our own fleshly efforts -- for our salvation?

Reaganaut made this great post re: Lds 6-step 'plan of salvation'

1) We could not progress without gaining a body, so we decided we wanted to come to earth to become mortal.

2) Because Adam and Eve couldn’t have children they HAD to fall (thus making it a fall upward) so all the spirit babies born to Heavenly Father and Mother could come get bodies.

3) We would be tested here on earth, learn the LDS gospel, take oaths in the temple and progress here on earth.

4) Jesus came to ‘make up’ for anything we couldn’t do, and too upon himself our sins in the garden of gethsemene and died on the cross so he could be resurrected showing we will ALL be resurrected some day. Jesus is our elder brother who taught us that we can all strive to be perfect (moral perfection) here in this life and to be a good example to us.

5) Those who die without the LDS gospel still have an opportunity in spirit prison to accept the LDS gospel and have their ordinances (baptism, endowments, priesthood, sealings) done here on earth by proxy.

6) Those who are faithful in mortality (their second estate) and live good righteous LDS lives get to go to the Celestial Kingdom where they will continue to learn and progress and become gods themselves.

THAT is the LDS plan of salvation. Work, work, work towards ‘godhood’. Now, if you want to challenge me on this, I would be more than happy to provide documentation that what I type is the actual LDS “plan of salvation”. (Reaganaut)

Consider these 2010 threads on the subject of life with God and 'Afterlife':

* Do Mormons think they that they will become gods?
* Then They Shall be Gods
* The Law of Eternal Progression: The Mormon Manuscript Series
* Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants:The Three Degrees of Glory Mormon

Also ponder these individual posts:

* Post on the Mormon hell: Post #33 on Hell
* Post on what Mormons teach about "exaltation": Post #42 on Exaltation
* Post on explanation of Mormons' three degrees of glory: Mormonism's three degrees of glory
* Post on how sin-based death (Adam's; Eve's; ours) is what brings us home per Mormonism -- and not Jesus' sinless-based death: Post #23 on sin-based death as 'rescuing' trigger
* Post on how the cross trumps everlasting death, which begins NOW -- not just future: Cross trumps everlasting death

[Emperor Palpatine]

Scripture is very clear, if you believe in Jesus as your Savior you’re guaranteed salvation. You don’t need Joseph Smith’s cork-submarines-from-Planet Kolub science fiction to muddy the waters.

They do have a wonderful choir, though.

[kingpins10]

Amen. If Christ’s blood is not good enough, then why did God send him in the first place?

My Lord and Saviour is Jesus Christ, not man’s words or deeds.

[samtheman]

IATIAMIP

[Colofornian]

Scripture is very clear, if you believe in Jesus as your Savior you’re guaranteed salvation.

At the beginning of this year, I noticed a good Mormon column from the Deseret News: Thread: Humility only real response to salvation:

*****
Jan. 6, 2010 post:

Some Mormons like author Brad Wilcox and this columnist, Jerry Earl Johnston, are beginning to understand the relationship between grace, salvation, our works, and to who's glory those works are done! (Not ours; not our present or future glory)

From the [Johnston] column: Over the years, Stephen E. Robinson's "Parable of the Bicycle" has become almost as well-known in Mormon circles as the recipe for s'mores. It tells how a young girl wants a bicycle but doesn't have enough money for it. So her father tells her to put in what she can, and he'll make up the difference. As it turns out, she puts in a pittance compared to what her dad pays. The premise of the parable is simple. When it comes to salvation, we contribute and the Savior contributes, but we can't fathom how much more he gives than we do. So taking any pride in our contribution would be folly.

Well, we can't fully blame Robinson, the BYU prof, for being so way off-base in his theology. After all, Robinson just took it from both the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants. In fact, two of the worst off-base Joseph Smith punditries occur in the Book of Mormon:

* ...ye are saved by grace, AFTER ALL YOU CAN DO." (2 Nephi 25:23) [Mormon, have you done ALL you can do? All YOU can do emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc.??? 'Cause this verse says free grace doesn't kick in UNTIL you do -- that's what the plain meaning of the words "AFTER all" equals.]
* And: "...may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their WORKS." (Helaman 12:24) [In other words, the Book of Mormon teaches that God gives gifts according to whatever "bicycle pittances" men give to God! That free grace isn't so free after all, because men have to earn it "according to their works."

From the [Johnston] column: Now comes author Brad Wilcox with a fresh take on the notion. In his new book "The Continuous Atonement," Wilcox writes: "I think of the Atonement more like this: Jesus already bought the whole bike. The few coins he asks from me are not so much to help pay for the bike, but rather to help me appreciate it, value it and use it correctly." I like that a lot.

Yippee!!! There's wonderful, fresh movement among Mormons! Yes, indeed! The light is finally kicking on for Mormons! Jesus Christ paid for 100% of our salvation! When He died on the cross, He used a common phrase that meant in their day, "Paid in full" when He uttered the words, "It is finished." Mormons like to quote Phil. 2:12: ...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, -- all the while ignoring the same sentence in the next verse: 13for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU TO WILL AND TO ACT according to his good purpose. Who gets the credit & the glory? God!!! HE works in us! He enables our will & actions to be in accordance with Him!

[kingpins10]

Ephesians 2:7-9, right out of the Bible. My works are as “filthy rags” before God.

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

[2harddrive]

I do not think we can be POSITIVE, until we actually GET to Heaven. But I think we can have reasonable assurance, based upon our behavior, one way or the other. But you never know what can happen, good or bad, at the last minute!

[Gamecock]

Kolub?

While living in Germany I came to love Doner Kolubs! The thin sliced meat, fresh veggies, and the special sauce!

Oh, wait, those were Doner Kebabs, not Kolubs. Sorry, carry on.

[ejonesie22]

OK

[Gamecock]

***based upon our behavior***

The only assurance we can have based on out behavior is that we are doomed. It is only when we place our faith in Christ’s work that we can be assured of our eternal security. If we look at our behavior we start to count our own works as being the cause of our Salvation.

Of all the world religions, only Christianity points us outside of ourselves.

[Colofornian]

I do not think we can be POSITIVE, until we actually GET to Heaven. But I think we can have reasonable assurance, based upon our behavior, one way or the other. But you never know what can happen, good or bad, at the last minute!

Do you see the part of your statement I highlighted?

It sounds to me -- and correct me if I'm wrong since I don't know you -- that you are trusting in YOURSELF ("our behavior") for salvation.

At what point, may I ask, does trusting in the behavior of Jesus Christ dying on a cross, cover our sinful behavior?

[kingpins10]

Jesus Christ did not have sin-cursed blood like we do (virgin birth, conceived by the Holy Ghost). That is the difference.

He lived a sinless life and His blood was spilled so that we sinners could have everlasting life. Many religions admit that Christ lived, but that he was not virgin born and/or lived a sinless life, thus denying His deity.

[Twinkie]

Those who deny the virgin birth and still claim to be Christians surely haven’t thought it through. Just another sinful man dying for mankind wouldn’t do anything for us. The sacrificial lamb had to be perfect and spotless. Christ was the second Adam to give us a second chance after the mess-up of the first Adam.

[MsLady]

Amen to that. Forget all the impossible man made steps to heaven.

As the bible says: Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Or: Ephesians 2:9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

And, if they could never have kids until there was sin in the world. Why would God tell Eve, Genesis 3:16 "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Sounds like she could get pregnant before. But, now she was going to have them with pain. It doesn't say, now that you've sinned you can bear children.

[Elsie]

The Mormon cannot be sure because eternal life (known in Mormonism as exaltation or godhood) is based on the individual's personal righteousness.

 In the words of twelfth LDS President Spencer W. Kimball,

"... however powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel"

(The Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 207).

[Elsie]

"These things have I written unto you that believe in 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" (1 John 5:13).

[Elsie]

But I think we can have reasonable assurance, based upon our behavior, one way or the other.

Yup; that's MORMONism all right!

---

John 6:28-29 

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

[Tennessee Nana]

Doner Kolubs!
Doner Kebabs

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Does Santa know about you ???

How much coal did you get ???

:)

[Elsie]

And, if they could never have kids until there was sin in the world.

YACMH

Yet another crazy MORMON heresy.