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li0scc0 said:
The problem with rejecting the scenario provided is that it happens all the time. Lay-persons, preachers, theologians, etc. sometimes "lose their faith". Are we to say then they were never saved? If so (i.e. if we say they were never saved), then what assurance do we have? Because some people who are very sincere in their profession of the true faith (i.e. they aren't lying)do, in fact, stop believing.
At the risk of being too brief in my reply, let me suggest that we must distinguish between "objective" assurance, i.e., the guarantee that all those who God has predestined to eternal life in Christ shall receive it, and "subjective" assurance, i.e., the emotional and/or psychological experience an individual may or may not have concerning their own eternal security. The former is based upon the eternal decree and providence of Almighty God and thus it is irrevocable and infallible. The latter is based upon circumstance, although it may be mixed with one's perception of their professed faith. When a true believer sins, then it is only natural that a measure of assurance will be lost. One who owns a false profession may have a "pseudo-assurance" but it is baseless.

A true believer not only will persevere to the end, which consists of periods of "dryness and disobedience" and of "highs and obedience", but he/she is also preserved to the end because God's decree and predestination to eternal life includes ALL that is necessary to that end. Thus, when a person professes to be a believer but whose life is totally inconsistent with that profession in word and/or in deed, the basis for accepting that profession is naturally suspect. If one's words/deeds are not temporal, i.e., there is no genuine repentance for these things, then we as witnesses are justified in concluding that the profession was false. (Matt 7:16-20; Mk 4:1-20; Heb 6:4-6)

Lastly, it is impossible that a person can own "absolute" assurance, if by that one means that they can have infallible knowledge of their eternal destiny. For only God has that knowledge. But a true believer can have a "full" assurance, i.e., they can have little or no doubt that they are children of God in Christ.

For more on this, see here:

True and False Assurance, by Thomas Brooks

Kept by the Power of God, by William Romaine

The Assurance of Salvation, by William R. Crews

Faith and Assurance, by J.C. Ryle

Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter XVIII - Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation

In His Grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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