I was listening to a Protestant interview with Francis Beckwith, the former head of the Evangelical Theological Society. He stepped down a few months ago because he re-entered the Catholic Church.
The questioner basically tried to point out that catholics walk around in fear of their salvation because they might commit a sin and go to hell. Whereas an evangelical who believes in OSAS (once saved always saved) does not have that concern.
Thant got me thinking about an analogy that I think works for the most part.
What about jail? are people concerned everyday that they are going to jail? NO. They know they are living within the law and that does not concern them. There is no fear that the police are going to come pick them up and throw them in jail for 20 years. Ditto on salvation.
If you have a prayerful life and you try your best to follow what Christ has asked of you. You should have an assurance of a supernatural Hope in you and not be concerned about imminent damnation.
If you go slightly over the speed limit, and then slow back down when you noticed it, you are not breaking the law on purpose and God knows that. [but you might get a little reminder if you don't slow down soon enough :-)] However, if you decide to go rob a bank, then you have made a conscious decision to break the law and you will get nailed. You will get sent to jail for hard time. (Many years ago a bank manager told me 90+ % of bank robbers are caught.)
In Christianity, you can throw yourself on the mercy of the court (Confession and true repentance), or you can do Hard Time Eternal.
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