Implications for Evangelism

If the salvation of believers is not in doubt, why does Paul tell Timothy what he must do to make sure of his own salvation, and that of others (1 Timothy 4:15-16)?  This question sums up what we have been considering for the past week. It has serious implications for evangelism.  Is it biblical to tell a person who has just made a profession of faith that assurance of their new found faith should never be doubted or questioned?  This is standard practice with many contemporary methods of evangelism.  But would not a different attitude be more in keeping with the biblical passages we have been looking at?  We saw in 1 Timothy 4 that salvation is assured only when we persevere in obedience to what the gospel teaches us.  Would not the decision to place faith in Christ as Savior be taken more seriously if the full biblical consequences of His Lordship were presented?  Would not those who profess faith in Christ be more circumspect about living as God requires, if they were taught that holiness is essential?  Does not the Scriptural teaching that “we shall know them by their fruits” require the passage of some time before the fruit can be known?  As I have stated previously, I think the recovery of this biblical truth is the greatest need of the Christian church today.