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Context

Matthew 7:21-23

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

James 2:14-16

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1 Corinthians 13:2

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

John 14:23-24

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Question

Thus, is the greatest assurance of salvation following the words of Christ? In that -- the teachings of Christ are so impossibly hard to follow for the non-believer that only the true believer can follow them?

warren
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unregistered-matthew7.7
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    I think this answer of mine will help. Note: not even a "true believer" can follow the teachings of Christ 100%. If we could, ironically, we wouldn't need Jesus. – Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE Sep 13 '12 at 11:45
  • You're absolutely right, as written, it sounds like true believers become sinless. How do I phrase this better "try to follow" seems to leave too much to interpretation, yet clearly "succeeding at following" isn't possible this side of death. – unregistered-matthew7.7 Sep 13 '12 at 12:38
  • Thanks. I'm not completely sure what your question is, so I can't help, yet. Are you asking how you know you're a Christian? – Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE Sep 13 '12 at 12:52
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    Please consider this closure just a timeout zone until you scope this in a way that is answerable and that people can verify answers. Some traditions will say spreading in tongues is assurance, others special sealing ceremonies, others being fruit of the word ... without any scope of who you want to learn about this won't go anywhere productive. – Caleb Sep 13 '12 at 13:46
  • @Caleb: So this is an issue that Christianity is quite divided on? (For example, the mention of "speaking in tongues is assurance" seems to be nullified by Paul's letter to the Corinthians ...) – unregistered-matthew7.7 Sep 13 '12 at 20:51
  • Whehter or not Christianity is divided on it (it's a point of disagreement at least), the constituency of this site is certainly from many ends of the spectrum. You cannot just throw questions like this out at "Christianity" here.. – Caleb Sep 13 '12 at 21:01
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    That question came later, but I think it has better answers (though I'm biased) and is asked better/more clearly. – Mr. Bultitude Apr 28 '15 at 16:44

2 Answers2

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This response is inspired by: http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-446/a-tale-of-two-sorrows

Let us compare the cases of Judas and Peter.

What can we learn?

  • Spiritual knowledge is not assurance of salvation. Judas likely knew more about Christ than many of the future great theologians, yet Judas fell away.

  • Signs is not assurance of salvation. Judas witnessed some of the greatest signs of all time, yet Judas fell away.

  • Discipleship + being in the right church is not assurance of salvation. Judas hung out with Christ and the 11 true disciples.

So then, what is the assurance of salvation? It's likely the love of Christ vs the love of the things that Christ can provide in this world. Peter loved Christ: John 21:15-17. Judas appeared to love what Christ could provide in this world (and thus betrayed him upon realization that the earthly kingdom would not be immediately established.)

Then, this love is manifested as in John 14:15.

unregistered-matthew7.7
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In Ephesians 1, Paul says that in Christ, we have obtained an inheritance. He also says that the Holy Spirit has been deposited into those predestined according to God's will to honor Him in this manner.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV)

How do you know that the Holy Spirit has been deposited in you, thus guaranteeing your inheritance? Paul tells us in Galatians that the Spirit bears fruit (and this same teaching is repeated all over the New Testament).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 ESV)

If you see this fruit in your life, that is your assurance. If you do not see this fruit in your life and you beg God for it daily so that He would be glorified (knowing that all asked according to His will and in Faith will be granted), this is your assurance (you are to take up your cross daily).

If you have convinced yourself that you meet each of those fruits to such a degree that it would be unjust for God to punish you, then you have no assurance (Rich Young Ruler) other than what your mind as conjured up.

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