1. Given that OSAS is not a doctrine found in the Bible as we see explained here...
Yesterday at 5:39 PM #1
All we saw explained there was misinterpreted passages of scripture taken out of context.
2. And given that only those who make the constant choice to "persevere" firm until the end "SHALL be " saved.
The same one's who "persevere" firm until the end are the same one's who truly have been and shall be saved.
Heb 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
Hebrews 3:14 - For we
have become [past tense Gk. verb, gegonamen, meaning we have become already] partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. Notice that this is essentially a repeat of verse 6, where we have read: but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house -
whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. The wording is not - "and you shall become partakers of Christ (future indicative) if you (future indicative) hold fast firm until the end." It is rather - "you have been, and now are, partakers of Christ, (demonstrative evidence) if in the future you hold fast firm until the end."
The point is that not all of these Hebrews have become partakers in their promised Messiah. And of course, the only ones in the end who will be identified as truly born again Hebrews who have partaken in Messiah, will have been those who have held fast the beginning of their confidence steadfast to the end. Those faltering Hebrews who depart from God begin with loud confidence and profession of loyalty. But later?
Future perseverance is proof of genuine conversion.
Matt 24:13 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matt 24:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Works-salvationists tend to confuse descriptive passages of scripture with prescriptive passages of scripture. The one's who endure to the end are the same one's who are saved. Believers do not merely persevere in their own strength and are
kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)
He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8) Now it is
God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
Rom 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
If one reads Romans 2:6-10 in isolation from the rest of the book of Romans, one might conclude that Paul was teaching salvation by works. However, as you read and study these passages, it's very important to keep in mind that these verses do not describe how one becomes saved, but the way the saved (and unsaved) conduct their lives. These works done are the result of, not the means or basis of obtaining salvation.
So patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality; (vs. 7) is not at all set forth as the means of their procuring eternal life, but as a
description of those to whom God does render life eternal. *Notice that
ALL who receive eternal life are
described as such,
everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved. Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath. *Notice that
ALL who do not receive eternal life are
described as such,
everyone who does evil (vs. 9).
What those passages convey is that though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means of obtaining salvation, but the type of deeds expose whether our heart was saved, or not. These deeds done out of faith are the fruit, not the root of salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have clearly stated that we are saved through faith
and works in Ephesians 2:8,9 and that we are justified by faith
and works in Romans 5:1 but that is clearly NOT what Paul said. *Also see (Romans 4:2-6; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..).
4. and given that it is indeed possible to be "severed from Christ ... fallen from grace" Gal 5:4
Matthew 18 -- Forgiveness revoked for the one who has been "forgiven all that debt"
The present tense of the word "justified" implies that these Galatians were contemplating justification by the law. They were getting side tracked by legalistic teachers. "You who are trying to be justified by the law have fallen away from grace,"
but had they fully come to that place yet? In Galatians 3:3, we read: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit,
are you now being made perfect by the flesh? The middle voice implies "making yourselves perfect" by means of self effort. The present tense indicates that
the action is in progress and that there is still time to correct the error.
If these Galatians lost their salvation and it was a done deal, then why didn't Paul simply say you "lost your salvation" and I'm done with you? Instead, in verse 10, he said -
I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. Why would Paul have confidence in these Galatians if they lost their salvation and it's all over for them? In verse 12, Paul uses hyperbole, As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
There are those today who teach salvation by "grace plus law, faith plus works" who have not yet found access by faith into grace. (Romans 5:2)
Then it is certain that two things a true.
A. Obedience is only possible for the one that is forgiven, born-again, saved Rom 8:4-11
Amen! Without faith it's impossible to please God and we are saved through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Attempted obedience (on our terms and not the Lord's) "apart from faith" is not obedience.
B. Failure to persevere on the part of the saved saint - will get them into hell.
Those who fail to persevere demonstrate that their faith was never firmly rooted and established from the start. Only genuine saints persevere and are preserved by God. Psalm 37:28 - For the Lord loves justice, And
does not forsake His saints; They are
preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. Jude 1:1 - Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James. To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and
preserved in Jesus Christ.