I can see both sides of the argument. So it would be nice to hear from people that support OSAS to give a testimony to show what effect being saved has had on their ability to overcome sin, or if they really just believe they can do whatever they want and go to heaven.
For starters -
no one, that I am aware of, who believes in eternal security holds that position in order to justify sin.
That is a red herring plain and simple.
People indwelled by the Spirit of God do not wish to sin. We do sometimes. Some of those time, sad to say, are purposeful sins. But no child of God desires to sin on an ongoing basis nor finds lasting pleasure therein.
But the idea that a person can be kept from sinning on occasion simply by threatening him with loss of salvation is absolutely wrong - both according to scripture and experience.
I received the Lord as a teen around a little campfire at a Baptist bible camp that I had been invited to. It was as real a conversion as any experienced by anyone who has ever received the Lord. I understood my sinfulness, God's righteousness, and that Jesus Christ was the way to salvation.
I continued for a couple of years as a believer. But I continued to give in to temptations that will remain unnamed.
I had no follow up teaching and I fell into the trap of believing that when I sinned willfully I was lost. I then repented with tears and confessions and got "saved" again. This went on for two years as my life became a constant and unrelenting misery.
I remember consciously walking away from that life in anger. I became a strong agnostic and an effective and open vocal antagonist of Christianity for some 16 years.
The Lord brought me back eventually through various means that will remain unnamed as well - except to say that I now believe that it was the Holy Spirit in me, wooing me back over many, many years even as I cursed God.
Don't tell me that threatening people with Hell fire will keep them from sin. Don't tell me that threatening people with Hell fire will keep people from leaving the Lord and cursing Him. Those things are simply not true. I am living proof.
That kind of false teaching cost me a great many years of wasted life and caused me to commit untold sins as a young man.
Upon "believing" again at the age of 30 after a series of miracles - I made it my absolute top priority before studying any other doctrines to fine out exactly how people get saved according to the scriptures and exactly how they stay saved according to the scriptues.
I found, quite simply and clearly, that the Word of God teaches salvation by grace and not of works of any kind.
I have sinned many times over the decades since coming back to the Lord. Confession and repentance have always been very painful.
But I have remained steadfast in my devotion to the Lord, correct doctrine, and a righteous life for some 40 years since He graciously brought me back to Himself (just as He promised in the scripture that He will always do for His children).
I know whom I have believed and I am persuades that He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him against that day.
My faith is in his ability to do what He has promised to do.
My faith is
not in my ability to do what I have promised to do.
I fight sin because I am saved. I do not fight sin because I hope to be saved if I manage to overcome it.
I am convinced that good men can doubt eternal security.
I am also convinced that there is a fine line between doubting ones security and preaching a doctrine of works salvation.
I fear that many here is this forum have crossed that line.
There is doubt in my mind that some here have ever received salvation by grace alone.
Others may have. But many here are still guilty of teaching false doctrine. They are in danger of a more strict accounting as a result, on the day they stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ.