The error of the syllogism

How do we know if someone is saved?

The answer is that if someone is born again, then we know they are saved.

We should also resist the temptation, when discussing whether someone is saved, of making a further statement along the lines of 'If born again, then there should be the presence of good works'. The danger of adding this is that it corrupts the true biblical test of whether someone is saved or not. To add this rider places the emphasis on the presence, or absence, of good works, and not on whether the person is born again.

Whether a born again person produces, or does not produce, good works, whether frequently or infrequently, is a separate concept completely. As important as it is that the Christian lives a Godly life, the question 'Is the person saved?' is altogether different from the question 'Is the person producing good works or not?'

The moment of being born again (what the Bible calls being justified) is a stand alone event. It is independent of the presence of any works.

Whether good works are present or not, overlooks the fundamental point that good works do not have to be there for salvation to result.

I refuse to believe that the test for whether someone is saved by the gospel of 'salvation apart from works' is whether or not they have works in their life.

I also refuse to believe that good works are not important to God. But that does not mean that one is to have recourse to the existence of good works as the determinant of whether someone is saved or not. If not already there, it is a heartbeat away from the vilest heresy of them all: salvation by works.