Are You Guaranteed Heaven ?

Some people promote an especially attractive idea ; All true Christians , regardless of how they live , have an absolute assurance of salvation once they accept Jesus into their hearts as " their personal Lord and Saviour " . The problem is that this belief is contrary to the Bible and constant Christian teaching. Keep in mind what Paul told the Christians of his day ; " if we have died with him ( in baptism ; see Romans 6 : 3-4 ) , we shall also live with him ; if we persevere we shall also reign with him ( 2 Timothy 2: 11-12 ) . If we do not persevere , we shall not reign with him . In other words , Christians can forfeit heaven .
The Bible makes it clear that Christians have a moral assurance of salvation ( God will be true to His word and will grant salvation to those who have faith in Christ and are obedient to Him - 1 John 4 : 19-24 ) , but the Bible does not teach that Christians have a guarantee of heaven. There can be no absolute assurance of salvation .
Writing to Christians , Paul said , " See , then the kindness and severity of god ; severity towards those who fell , but God's kindness to you , provided you remain in His kindness , otherwise you too will be cut off " [ Romans 11 : 22-23 , 1 Corint 15 : 1-2 , Hebre 10:26-19 & 2 Peter 2 : 20-21 ]

Note that Paul includes an important condition ; " provided you remain in His kindness . " He is saying that Christians can lose their salvation by throwing it away . He warns , " whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall " [ 1 Corint 10 : 11-12 ].

If anyone asks you if you have been " saved " , you should say , " I am redeemed by the blood of Christ . I trust in Him alone for my salvation " . And as the Bible teaches , I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling ( Phill 2 : 12 ) , knowing that it is God's gift of grace that is working in me " .