Are You Saved?

The notion that one merely recites "The Sinner's Prayer"during an altar call at the same time "asking Jesus into your heart" results in the absolute guarantee of salvation is a notion fairly new to the history of Christianity. Many Protestants believe that after this point, nothing can undo their salvation, and they tend to regard salvation as something that has already occurred, requiring no further responsibility on their part. This belief is contrary to the true teachings of the Bible, which clearly shows that our salvation is the result of our cooperation with God, allowing Him to work in us to truly become holy and acceptable for presentation before Him on the Last Day. Therefore, faith and works are necessarily connected. Works are necessary, not in the Pelagian sense, but as James wrote:

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:20-26

The Pelagians believed that they could earn heaven by their own merits - this is not true:

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil 2:13

Catholics realize that our salvation is an ongoing process:

"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." Romans 13:11

Similarly, Scripture does not focus on a one-time salvation experience, rather, it is the continuous obedience of faith that will save us:

"And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

"Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but towards you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." Romans 11:22

We can have moral assurance of salvation if we heed the words of St. Peter:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;

and to virtue knowledge;

And to knowledge temperance;

and to temperance patience;

and to patience godliness;

And to godliness brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" 2 Peter 1:4-10

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