Question: Why does bible say then: That ye may KNOW ye have (present tense) eternal life? Why does it say that if its only a future?
This is MAJOR. The entire debate hangs on this!
For goodness sakes H,
You swing back and forth more than a tiny branch on a big tree!
You know very well you're on the other side...but here it goes...
I THINK you're referring to 1 John 5:13 (this is why it would be nice to post scripture)
1 John 5:13
13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
We can be secure IN JESUS. I said I believe in Eternal Security. Eternal Security has conditions that must be met.
Notice in 1 John 5:13 John says that he's writing so we can know we have eternal life...
What is the condition? John says what it is:
"I have written to
you who believe in the name of the Son of God".......
IF we believe in the name of God,,,AT THAT MOMENT OF TIME IN OUR LIVES....
We can be morally secure in our salvation.
But what if we STOP believing in Jesus?
If believing is a condition...and we stop believing,,,are we still saved?
You have to make up your mind about becoming lost again after salvation.
Is it possible or not?
Everything you read in the bible will be colored by your belief.
If you believe in Pres. of the Saints you do NOT believe in
OSAS and you do NOT believe in Eternal Security.
What you believe is that God will MAKE YOU persevere till the end IF you are one of the ELECT.
Problem with this is that you won't know till the end of your life if you persevered.....so you really can't be sure of your salvation. Read up on this. Read the institutes...
I do admire the reformed theology IN A WAY because at least it teaches that our behavior should change with election and our actions should change and works are believed to be necessary as proof of salvation.
That's the best I could do. You're going to have to figure this out...really.
I'm secure in my salvation...I don't care what anybody on this thread thinks.
I can be secure because I PICKED GOD....I can be sure that I PICKED HIM.
If I believe HE picked ME....HOW could I ever be sure of this?
Reformed believers cry at times over their insecurity... I think it's very sad.
And Mr. Piper does not have any comforting words for them. I heard him say with my own ears that the poor girl that was crying may not actually be saved!
Horrifying.