NO, I was not lying.
(lying is saying something know to be a false statement.)
I remember going to Bible camp every year - the counselor would asked me if I was saved - I always said yes (that was not a lie, as I assumed I was saved)
Granted
"truly saved" considered a redundant term (just like "Complete stop)
Or I could have stated "I was finally saved"
I am sorry I asked you questions you couldn't answer, but shouldn't that tell you something? If you can't explain the difference before you were saved, but said you were, and after you were saved, and say you are, how can you have any kind of assurance there is really a difference?
I did say I didn't know what you meant with your comment about a head knowledge verses a heart knowledge.
The only way I could understand that is you mean emotion rather than intellect, which I assume you did not mean. I doubt you believe emotion trumps intellect.
So, I am still trying to figure out what you are trying to convey, and am rather surprised you refuse to respond.
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear.
I think it's very clear what Salty is saying - here we would speak of "nominal Christians" who associate with Christians, attend church & live upright lives & believe in God & salvation through the death & resurrection of Jesus, Son of God. Even baptism. They read the Bible daily. They don't doubt their salvation.
I lived like that for several years; I heard the Gospel & believed I was a Christian.
Then the Lord opens their heart & they know the Lord with a spiritual understanding, rather than the intellectual understanding. True spiritual life, and a living faith in our Saviour God.
Consider the relation of these passages to one another:
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
Neh 8
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Ro 14
10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Pet 1
Yes, it was a long drawn out play on the emotions (sing 'Just As I Am' like 2-3 times) along with the preacher pleading intended to coax from the congregation a 'walk the aisle public confession', even from the same faithful flock that had known each other and met together for years.