Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that, unquestionably, when we are saved, we are definitely going to be eternally in God's presence. The deeper question is, "When are we saved?" We are saved when we have complete and sole faith in the atoning death and resurrection of Christ, and not in anything that we have done or can do, for our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). As long as we have such faith, we have the assurance of God's Word that we are saved and are going to spend eternity with God. Jesus said that His sheep will never perish, and that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand (John 10:28).

Such inner saving faith, and the transformation that the presence of God the Holy Spirit produces within the Christian as a result of that faith, should then be outwardly evident in the Christian's obedience to God. As Jesus also said, a tree is known by its fruit (Luke 6:43-45), and His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). It is not this obedience (or any work that the Christian may or can do) that saves the Christian, but this obedience is the result of, and the willing and grateful response to, the salvation that the Christian has received through faith.

December 12 2016 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Michael Kouroupis Supporter

Would we ponder what the term 'saved' even means, then we'd have to ask ourselves "saved from 'what'"?

And with that, then the obvious answer would be that we're 'saved' from an eternity apart from God. So saved does equal an eternity in Heaven.

We can then ask whether we can loose are saved'ness based on sins, the frequency/reoccurrence of a particular 'sin', or the severity of the nature of the sin.

The Word of God makes it clear that there's only one unpardonable sin that can't be forgiven, and that's blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. (see Mark 3:22–30 / Matthew 12:22–32)

As that's they case, then the Hell-bounds don't reach their destination because of their sins (though they're judged unrighteously accordingly), but rather by not having the indwelling of the H.S. as a child of the Father.

While any one of us can quench the H.S. within us, I'm of the camp that a true believer can't pluck himself out of the hands of God. (John 10:28)

April 28 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Roseanna Villanueva Supporter

If you truly belive that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead by God, then yes you have assurance of ascending to Heaven.

April 28 2017 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Salvatore LaRosa Supporter

You can lose your salvation if you renounce Christ or commit the unpardonable sin of grieving the Holy Spirit. Salvation is not a permanent no take away thing. You must trust and accept Christ forever.

May 01 2017 • 16 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report