How do you know you are saved?

The Catholic Church teaches us that we should not judge our own salvation.  That is the prerogative of God.  To whit, Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 4:4-5

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁴For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
 ⁵Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Protestants, however, teach that they are saved whenever they make a proclamation of faith.  And when people who have made a proclamation of faith backslide and fall away from the faith, they say, "Well they weren't saved at all in the first place."  Yet when those people were walking the straight and narrow, all their Protestant friends considered them saved along with all the rest who had proclaimed faith in God.


So, it doesn't make sense to me.  Scripture is clear:

Philippians 2:12

King James Version (KJV)

and trembling. 12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear  It seems to me that those people who claim they are saved are usurping God's right to judge their soul.  What do you think?

Sincerely,

De Maria

Do you rely upon your faith alone for salvation?

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 1 Cor 7:19

Frequently, Protestants accuse Catholics of relying upon our works for salvation. But that isn't true.  And that is easy to prove.  All you have to do is ask a Catholic, any Catholic, "Are you saved?"  What is the answer that he will give? We all know.   

He will answer, "I don't know." 
Protestants harangue us for this response all the time.   Never mind that this is the Biblical answer (1 Cor 4:5).


The fact is, we believe we are saved by our FAITH and works, but we don't rely upon either to be saved.  We rely upon God.

ON THE OTHER HAND, if you ask a Protestant if he is saved, what will he say?

"Yes!" they say, "I am saved by my faith alone! My sins are all forgiven!" Even if we ask them, "What about your future sins?"

ALL MY SINS ARE FORGIVEN, I'M GOING TO HEAVEN.

That is their answer! What do you say? Do you rely upon your faith alone for salvation?
Which is the more Biblical reply?

1 Corinthians 4:3-5

King James Version (KJV)

 ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
 ⁴For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
 ⁵Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Sincerely,

De Maria