If you knew you were elect, you would never acknowledge the possibility that it could turn out that you are really a pretender. Therefore, since you don't know whether you are elect, you don't know now that on Judgment Day you will be welcomed into His Kingdom.
-A8
If you knew you were elect, you would never acknowledge the possibility that it could turn out that you are really a pretender. Therefore, since you don't know whether you are elect, you don't know now that on Judgment Day you will be welcomed into His Kingdom.
I am acknowledging no such thing. :) I am simply using a similar technique that I sometimes use while witnessing. Sometimes I will adopt the lost person's POV and suppose that there is no God. From that starting point, I then try to get them to understand why that doesn't make sense. For the intended purpose I am not acknowledging the possibility that God doesn't exist. It is similar here. I was saying that even in the worst case scenario, supposing that you were correct about the possibility, it would have no effect on how I live my life or what my beliefs are. My "attempt" was to show that it makes no sense to not have assurance when there is clearly Biblical support for it AND (if you do not have a works-based salvation model) it shouldn't affect how you live your life either way. My assurance is a benefit in my life and helps me to be closer to God. As I asked, what is the benefit to your view? What do you do differently because you are unsure?