But that's not what Scripture teaches! It says we can KNOW we are saved if we have done what He promised HE would do IF we have desired and have invited Him into our lives through faith!Mallz: The problem would be how would one ever know where they stand, then?
Jesus says, "I stand at the door and knock. If ANYONE hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
So, the confirming answer as to how we can know has to do with God's promise to all who do that. And so we can know if we believe what Jesus and God's word tell us about that.
1 John 5:11-12: "11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
So many try to gauge whether or not they are saved via their highly unreliable FEELINGS - so one day they feel good about their salvation, another day they doubt it. But that's not the basis of knowing - as knowing is based upon how God says we can KNOW we are saved - and it has to do with His promises and reliability.
And can anything separate us from the God who chose to woo and save us? Does He make mistakes? Does He not foreknow of HIS faithfulness to never leave us? Can He not already see us in eternity with Him?
John 10:27-29: "27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Those who respond are those whose heart and mind are willing to listen to, will respond, and won't permanently resist God's voice as He woos us. God's call is effective upon the willing heart, and not upon the resistant, UNWILLING one. We must be willing and open to God - and His call is effective upon all such persons - He does the rest, from wooing to bring us to salvation. But merely being willing and open does not save us - it is GOD who saves us, through Jesus and the Cross. He does not force Himself upon anyone! He created us as creatures in His Image - those of free will.