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R.C. Sproul wrote a little pamphlet entitled "Can I loose my salvation?", and both he and John MacArthur have talked about it in numerous sermons. Conceptually, it is both deeply complex and, at the same time, simple. It is this dance of the complex and that which is straightforward, that leads to the confusion onto which, false teachers cling to find their relevance.

As I understand it, salvation is a sovereign act of grace. We bring absolutely nothing to the table. ALL the glory belongs to God. This is at the heart of the Doctrine of Election. That none are drawn to Him, but those which He hath chosen. That we cannot even, of our own volition, choose Him. We are that dead (see Jeremiah) in our sin.

Further, if I understand the doctrine of election correctly, all who are drawn to him in repentence (ask for mercy) are forgiven. And all who are justified (forgiven), will be sanctified (a process). And all who are sanctified, will be glorified in that day. But how will you know if you are, or anyone is? This is what we all must be asking ourselves. What kind of soil are we? Are we the 'good soil'? Was this coming to Him for forgiveness a real act of the heart demonstrating that we have been given a new heart?

Ultimately, we are called upon to 'examine ourselves' that we are in Christ. It is a deeply personal examination. It is our responsibility to do that examination. I think the short version is the veracity of the cry for mercy. That is : Does it embody the hurt, the shame, the guilt, one feels when one really thinks about how evil one is, or has been. If you ask for mercy with this in mind, He promises to grant it. Trust in that.