Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) or Keep the faith until the end?

[Clare73]

Well if you read the whole post I doubt you'd ask the questions, as I addressed it, pretty extensively, in fact. And related to this we should consider 1 John 3:4-6 and 1 John 5:18, also in the NT:

"No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him."

"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them."

Glad we agree!

 

[fhansen]

What an utterly false representation and false dichotomy of OSAS. All the OSAS people I know, know good works are a fruit of salvation, they are not lazy and are actively growing in Christ.

The idea that good fruit including the overcoming of sin is guaranteed to evidence itself and continue to do so in believers, is bogus. Believers sin, for one thing. Now, if they are overcoming sin, if they're producing good fruit, if they're loving well, to put it best, then the evidence will be there and a strong level of assurance is indicated. Anything else is just talk. Either way God, alone, knows with 100% certainty who will persevere until the end and who will not, whose names are written in the Book of Life and whose are not-and He'll give His just verdict then, in the end.

 

[fhansen]

Glad we agree!

Right, believers continue to sin but must be overcoming it in the overall scheme of things. But at the end of the day I think you agree, that sanctification/holiness is necessary for salvation.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

God's "desire" is the same Greek word as his "will," which secret will (Dt 29:29) is always done.
God's revealed will for Pharaoh was, "Let my people go," (Ex 4:22), while his secret will was, "I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." (Ex 4:21).
Just because God's revealed will (Ex 4:22) is not done does not mean his secret will (Ex 4:21) is not always done.

I haven't said otherwise. Are you reading everything I'm saying or not? In the case of John 6:39 it's referring to what you are calling God's revealed will. I showed that the same Greek word is used in Luke 12:45-47 where it talks about God's servant refusing to obey God's will and then being punished for it.

Not quite what he said. . .read Jn 6:39 again.

Do you mean I should have said "no one" instead of "nothing"? Otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean here.

In the gospels, the servants (of the kingdom and of the vine) include tares and fruitless branches, respectively, those who profess faith but do not possess saving faith.

This disobedient servant was a tare, a fruitless branch and was not one of those given to Jesus that he would not lose.

You quoted John 17:12 along with this, but it didn't come over in my reply.

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Nowhere did Jesus indicate that the one that was lost, which was Judas Iscariot, was "a tare, a fruitless branch". He said none were lost except for one. That means one of those who were chosen to be His closest disciples (which included Judas Iscariot - John 6:70-71) was lost and you're trying to deny that any who were given to Him were lost. You can't say that Judas Iscariot was not given to Him when He said this:

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

The ones who were chosen were given to Jesus and, of those, one was lost. So, let's go back to John 6:39 again with all of this in mind.

John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

The Greek word translated here as "will" refers to what you call God's revealed will since the same Greek word is uses to refer to God's revealed will in other verses like Luke 12:47 where God's servant refuses to obey His will.

So, it's God's revealed will/desire that Jesus lose none that are given to Him, but we know that His revealed will/desire can be thwarted. And that is true of John 6:39 as well since we know that of those who were given to Jesus, one was lost who He called the son of perdition and who most understand to be referring to Judas Iscariot.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

When I became a born again Christian over 5 years ago, I loved coming to this forum to learn about the Bible. The topic of OSAS was the topic which significantly held my interest. I went back and forth on the issue, and I really wanted to believe OSAS is true, for peace of mind. Thing is, I could never get peace in letting this doctrine settle,and I believe it's for this reason: OSAS is a false doctrine meant to make us lazy, useless in the body of Christ, and possibly even send one to hell. Without posting every verse in the Bible which supports my belief, I will post this one: Matthew 24:13 says: "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
If you believe in the doctrine of OSAS, I beg you to reconsider. By negating OSAS you do not automatically get pigeonholed as one who subscribes to "Lordship Salvation", as this is also a false doctrine. However, you will see that maintaining your relationship (abiding in Christ) is necessary for Christians in order to finish the race. You CAN be born again, yet end up in hell because of your apostasy. Do not be fooled nor lazy about your relationship with God. While it's not a religion, it is a relationship, albeit your most important one and it's so easy to drop the ball in this Laodecian church age we find ourselves. Renew your relationship with God every morning and read His Word everyday. I want all of us to make it and not take our relationship with Him for granted. That means NO deliberate sin, as continual deliberate sinning puts Jesus back on the cross and there is no sacrifice left for us...

Hebrews 10:26-27 says, For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

Of course we aren't perfect and the Bible tells us that if we say we don't sin, we are liars. However, there's a difference between slipping up, and repenting, and living in sin and, "Oops, Jesus forgive me, Oops, I did it again Jesus, Oops, oops, oops",all in the span of a day or a few days or weeks.

There's a difference between a Christian and a disciple and Jesus want us to be the latter. God bless brothers and sisters, finish the race and will see you in heaven soon!

You are 100% correct. For those who disagree with you here are some scriptures.

1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.​

Paul knew he could become disqualified from his race if he did not live rightly. So bought himself into subjection.

Hebrews 6 clearly states that a person having received the Holy Spirit if they bear weeds can fall away from the faith, whose end is to be burned.

Heb 6:4-8 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.​

After escaping sin through the knowledge of Jesus, false teachers also fall away, returning to their vomit (sin).

2Pe 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."​

The next two verses were addressed to the church, to true believers.

Rev_3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.​

Jesus said if the believer did not repent, He would vomit them out of His mouth.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.​

In Revelation the lampstand in the church refers to the Holy Spirit, as it did in the temple that Moses built. Jesus said to repent, otherwise He would remove the Holy Spirit from the believer.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Everyone who are saved are meant to be. So as everyone who are Not.

What do you mean by this?

 

[FutureAndAHope]

What an utterly false representation and false dichotomy of OSAS. All the OSAS people I know, know good works are a fruit of salvation, they are not lazy and are actively growing in Christ.

I am sure a lot of people who believe in OSAS are trying to live rightly. However, I have seen people turn to the doctrine because they could not live free of sin. This could be a misunderstanding of how "sinless" we should be, not understanding that grace covers our stumbling. Sometimes it could be a stubborn refusal to give up a sin.

As I imagine you are; people who believe in OSAS are generally Calvinists. That comes with its own set of problems. I quote from my free book on the topic:

People can be negatively affected in their faith and emotions when they accept the doctrine of Calvinism, supposing wrongly that God forces damnation on people, not giving them any chance of repentance. Some have sat at tables weeping over the nature of God. I believe others are likely to suppress the thought through fear of God, but never have any rest of mind. It is a hurtful view, especially if your child or loved one is unsaved “Maybe God wants to damn them”.​

The Way and Free Will

An online book on Free Will Salvation in man. A counterargument to Predestination.

www.everybodymattersministry.com

My opinion of OSAS and Calvinism is that they are both doctrines that can lead people away from God.

 

[ARBITER01]

Christ has purchased me, redeemed me, reconciled to God on the cross. It is finished.

No it's not.

You have entered into a relationship with Jesus, and if you are not going to do your part to keep it fresh everyday with Him, you can't expect Jesus to just drag you along with those that have.

 

[Tom8907]

I am sure a lot of people who believe in OSAS are trying to live rightly. However, I have seen people turn to the doctrine because they could not live free of sin. This could be a misunderstanding of how "sinless" we should be, not understanding that grace covers our stumbling. Sometimes it could be a stubborn refusal to give up a sin.

As I imagine you are; people who believe in OSAS are generally Calvinists. That comes with its own set of problems. I quote from my free book on the topic:

People can be negatively affected in their faith and emotions when they accept the doctrine of Calvinism, supposing wrongly that God forces damnation on people, not giving them any chance of repentance. Some have sat at tables weeping over the nature of God. I believe others are likely to suppress the thought through fear of God, but never have any rest of mind. It is a hurtful view, especially if your child or loved one is unsaved “Maybe God wants to damn them”.​

The Way and Free Will

An online book on Free Will Salvation in man. A counterargument to Predestination.

www.everybodymattersministry.com

My opinion of OSAS and Calvinism is that they are both doctrines that can lead people away from God.

Whenever I hear about own efforts, I know there is a wrong issue.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Yep, pretty sure there won't be resolution here today, anyway . But we can read on in Romans. What's the answer to Paul's dilemma presented in Rom 7, given at the end? The answer is "deliverance through Jesus Christ!" Likewise, why is there no condemnation in Christ Jesus as stated at the beginning of Rom 8? The answer is given in vs 4, "He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit". Vs 12-14 gives clartiy on this:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."

God isn't interested in a pretense of righteousness.Instead he gives us the means to actually overcome unrighteousness, to become a "slave to righteousness" (Rom 6), for man to finally become who he was created to be.

You asked, "why do believers still sin?" My answer was (from Romans 7) that their fleshly desires entice them to sin. For completeness, I didn't limit my answer to the source of our sin, but I also pointed to the effect sins have in the hearts of believers (it makes them feel wretched). Not wanting to state only the problems, I also pointed to the solutions. The first part of the solution is the provision of a new heart/mind that is rightly aligned with God, and the second part of the solution is forgiveness for the sins of the flesh. In summary, I made 4 points:

1. The flesh is the source of our sins,
2. Our sins and the sinfulness of our flesh makes us feel wretched,
3. With our minds we serve the law of God, and
4. Right now, at this very moment, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

I answered your question thoroughly. The only response you gave was to refute my final point that the forgiveness of our sins results in ther being no condemnation. In your view, a person avoids condemnation... how did you put it before... not by being perfect, but by being just good enough (sorry, I can't recall your actual words, but it was something like that).

Do you have an answer for your question (reworded a bit) -- why do people who have been given the means to actually overcome unrighteousness always fail in some way to overcome unrighteousness? Nobody's perfect, right?

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

No it's not.

You have entered into a relationship with Jesus, and if you are not going to do your part to keep it fresh everyday with Him, you can't expect Jesus to just drag you along with those that have.

That's funny. We can expect Him to correct all His children when they go astray.

 

[Clare73]

I haven't said otherwise.

See post #115.

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and
none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Nowhere did Jesus indicate that the one that was lost, which was Judas Iscariot, was "a tare, a fruitless branch".

So Judas was wheat, a fruitful branch?

You think "son of perdition" was wheat, a fruitful branch?

He said none were lost except for one. That means one of those who were chosen to be His closest disciples (which included Judas Iscariot - John 6:70-71)

Chosen/given to him to be his disciple did not necessarily mean chosen for the Kingdom.

Ours is to reconcile the Scriptures to one another, not to set them against one another.

 

[ARBITER01]

That's funny. We can expect Him to correct all His children when they go astray.

That's true.

But if you are not willing to change your ways when prompted to, and decide for yourself what is the will of GOD instead of listening and following HIM, then don't expect to be glorified with the rest of us.

Anybody thinking that they get the full package of goods right from the start is deceived.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

That's true.

But if you are not willing to change your ways when prompted to, and decide for yourself what is the will of GOD instead of listening and following HIM, then don't expect to be glorified with the rest of us.

Anybody thinking that they get the full package of goods right from the start is deceived.

The full package of goods? Only the obedient children get the full package. I see. There must be some provision for sin after salvation. What is it? Or is sinless perfection required?

You don't have to answer. Those are rhetorical questions. I know the smorgasbord of possible answers:

1. All our sins are forgiven (past, present, and future),
2. Repentance and confession is required then forgiveness covers sins,
3. Small sins are not held against us, but big sins must be avoided,
4. Sinless perfection is required,
5. Best efforts to avoid sin is good enough, or
6. The devil can't end a person's salvation, but a person can voluntarily give it up.

Actually, I don't know what Pentecostals think on this. Maybe you can enlighten me.

 

[ARBITER01]

The full package of goods? Only the obedient children get the full package. I see. There must be some provision for sin after salvation. What is it? Or is sinless perfection required?

You don't have to answer. Those are rhetorical questions. I know the smorgasbord of possible answers:

1. All our sins are forgiven (past, present, and future),
2. Repentance and confession is required then forgiveness covers sins,
3. Small sins are not held against us, but big sins must be avoided,
4. Sinless perfection is required,
5. Best efforts to avoid sin is good enough, or
6. The devil can't end a person's salvation, but a person can voluntarily give it up.

Actually, I don't know what Pentecostals think on this. Maybe you can enlighten me.

I'll take "what is Christ-likeness" for 700 Alex.

 

[fhansen]

You asked, "why do believers still sin?" My answer was (from Romans 7) that their fleshly desires entice them to sin. For completeness, I didn't limit my answer to the source of our sin, but I also pointed to the effect sins have in the hearts of believers (it makes them feel wretched). Not wanting to state only the problems, I also pointed to the solutions. The first part of the solution is the provision of a new heart/mind that is rightly aligned with God, and the second part of the solution is forgiveness for the sins of the flesh. In summary, I made 4 points:

1. The flesh is the source of our sins,
2. Our sins and the sinfulness of our flesh makes us feel wretched,
3. With our minds we serve the law of God, and
4. Right now, at this very moment, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

I answered your question thoroughly. The only response you gave was to refute my final point that the forgiveness of our sins results in ther being no condemnation. In your view, a person avoids condemnation... how did you put it before... not by being perfect, but by being just good enough (sorry, I can't recall your actual words, but it was something like that).

Do you have an answer for your question (reworded a bit) -- why do people who have been given the means to actually overcome unrighteousness always fail in some way to overcome unrighteousness? Nobody's perfect, right?

Another poster asked the similiar question: "Who has not sinned since they were saved?" And I answered it in the second half of post #120 in this thread. But to put it simply, yes, nobody's perfect and yet nobody was created to be imperfect, to sin, either. Man fell, becoming alienated from God, and as he did so he lost the self-control that was natural to him as long as he was still subjugated to God and not in the disordered or unjust state of alienation from Him that we're all born into now. This is why reconciliation with God is at the heart of the gospel and Jesus' work. The branch must be connected to the Vine first, before anything else of value can take place.

The will of man is the source of our sin, whereas the flesh just provides much opportunity and fodder for temptation to sin. Sin should make us feel wretched; guilt is a healthy reaction to sin even for unbelievers-but there's a real-life cure for it and that is the deliverance spoken of in Rom 7. God wants every part of us to serve Him, and being in Christ means that we now have the power, the righteousness, to do so. Meanwhile concupiscence, that source of temptation, continues to draw and test and, hopefully, refine us even as it also causes us to stumble at times, potentially to the extent of being distanced from God all over again-and for one simple reason: we're not yet "perfected in love", love being the only thing that can ultimately result in a will that is completely obedient to His will. Our pride, itself, continues to oppose God as it did in Eden, tempting and prompting us to carry on the family tradition of rebellion initiated by Adam. Pride overrides and opposes love by its nature.

It's a journey, a molding, a work of God's that He's very much patient in bringing to fruition, but without absolutely forcing Himself or His ways upon us, meaning that we can jump ship at any time. Either way it's a journey all humans are intended to be on and must be on, the journey from "nobody's perfect" to everybody's perfect-who they were created to be-even if that won't be completely consummated until the next life.

My opinion, FWIW: read Rom 6, 7, and 8 objectively, for yourself, and you'll see that being on that journey, now led by true righteousness, of God, that means the overcoming of sin, is the path we now can and must be on. The new covenant is much more than solely the forgiveness of sin for those who believe, or taking forgiveness for granted, or making us quasi-comfortable in remaining in or returning to sin, especially the kinds of sin that Scripture tells us will definitely exclude us from God's family and kingdom.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

So Judas was wheat, a fruitful branch?

You think "son of perdition" was wheat, a fruitful branch?

Certainly not at the time He betrayed Jesus, but what about before that? He could have been at one point. Why else does it say that he was lost? You try to say that John 6:39 says Jesus can't lose any that are given to Him, but in John 17:12 it says he lost one. How do you reconcile that? It's God's desire that He not lose any, but God doesn't force anyone to keep their faith. That is man's responsibility. Hebrews 3:14 says "We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.". Notice this is saying it's not a certainty that "we hold our conviction firmly to the end".

Chosen/given to him to be his disciple did not necessarily mean chosen for the Kingdom.

Ah, so you, unlike most Calvinists, acknowledge that the following verse has nothing to do with being chosen for the Kingdom (chosen for salvation)?

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Ours is to reconcile the Scriptures to one another, not to set them against one another.

Exactly. Yet, Calvinists set scriptures against one another repeatedly. Scripture says that God offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11) while Calvinsits say that God purposely only gives salvation to some people and that it's entirely His choice and He does not give the rest any opportunity to be saved.

 

[Clare73]

Certainly not at the time He betrayed Jesus, but what about before that? He could have been at one point. Why else does it say that he was lost? You try to say that John 6:39 says Jesus can't lose any that are given to Him, but in John 17:12 it says he lost one. How do you reconcile that?

Given to Jesus has two meanings in salvation.
1) given to Jesus for a task/purpose and
2) given to Jesus for salvation.

Judas was given to Jesus for a task, but not for salvation.

It's God's desire that He not lose any,

And in context, the any is "of us," the believers.

but God doesn't force anyone to keep their faith.

We are kept by the power of God (1 Pe 1:5). No one can snatch us from his hand, including ourselves (Jn 10:28-29).

That is man's responsibility. Hebrews 3:14 says "We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.". Notice this is saying it's not a certainty that "we hold our conviction firmly to the end".

It is a certainty for those who are born again. There are counterfeit Christians who are not born again, and it is not a certainty for them.

Ah, so you, unlike most Calvinists, acknowledge that the following verse has nothing to do with being chosen for the Kingdom (chosen for salvation)?
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Those chosen to bear fruit are chosen for the kingdom (salvation).

Exactly. Yet, Calvinists set scriptures against one another repeatedly. Scripture says that God offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11) while Calvinsits say that God purposely only gives salvation to some people and that it's entirely His choice and He does not give the rest any opportunity to be saved.

"The grace of God has appeared to all mankind in Jesus Christ," but not all mankind can see it.

One must be born again to see the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
"One must be born again to see the kingdom of God" (i.e., Jesus Christ, Mt 12:28).

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Given to Jesus has two meanings in salvation.
1) given to Jesus for a task/purpose and
2) given to Jesus for salvation.

Judas was given to Jesus for a task, but not for salvation.

What proof do you have for that? Regardless, it says he was lost in John 17:12. In what sense was he lost then?

And in context, the any is "of us," the believers.

Yes, of course. Please provide proof that Judas Iscariot was never a believer.

We are kept by the power of God (1 Pe 1:5).

Why do you not actually quote the scriptures you reference? I find that to be a deceptive practice because you are not showing the context of the verse and only referring to part of what it says. You're only showing part of the story here.

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Kept by the power of God through faith. You left the "through faith" part out. Why? God works in us, but also expects us to cooperate by submitting to Him and trusting Him. Clearly, we have responsibility to keep our faith as well even though God will help us to do that. But, we have to submit to Him. The following makes it clear that it is not a certainty that we will keep our faith unto the end.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Why is that word "if" there if there is no chance that we could lose our faith?

No one can snatch us from his hand, including ourselves (Jn 10:28-29).

That is not what the text says in John 10:28-29, which is probably why you didn't bother quoting it. How about we look at what it actually says.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Nowhere does this say that we can't lose our faith and leave Him. No one can take us away from Him, but that doesn't mean we can't leave Him.

It is a certainty for those who are born again. There are counterfeit Christians who are not born again, and it is not a certainty for them.

Did you even read the verse? I'll just repeat what I already said. This verse is talking about true Christians because only true Christians can "hold the beginning of our condifence steadfast unto the end". If you don't have confidence (faith) in the first place then you can't hold it until the end.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Why is that word "if" there if there is no chance that we could lose our faith?

"The grace of God has appeared to all mankind in Jesus Christ," but not all mankind can see it.

What does this mean (your comment, not the verse itself)? You couldn't be more vague if you tried. This is a better translation that reflects what the verse is actually saying:

Titus 2:11 (NIV): For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

One must be born again to see the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
"One must be born again to see the kingdom of God" (i.e., Jesus Christ, Mt 12:28).

One doesn't need to be born again to see their lost condition and their need to repent of their sins.

 

[Clare73]

What proof do you have for that? Regardless, it says he was lost in John 17:12. In what sense was he lost then?
Yes, of course. Please provide proof that Judas Iscariot was never a believer.

There is saving faith in Jesus Christ, which cannot apostasize, being kept by the power of God (1 Pe 1:5), and
there is counterfeit faith which can apostasize; e.g., Judas.

Why do you not actually quote the scriptures you reference? I find that to be a deceptive practice because you are not showing the context of the verse and only referring to part of what it says. You're only showing part of the story here.
1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Kept by the power of God through faith.

It is the saving faith that is kept by the power of God.

You left the "through faith" part out. Why? God works in us, but also expects us to cooperate by submitting to Him and trusting Him. Clearly, we have responsibility to keep our faith as well even though God will help us to do that. But, we have to submit to Him. The following makes it clear that it is not a certainty that we will keep our faith unto the end.
Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Why is that word "if" there if there is no chance that we could lose our faith?

Because the promise is made to those of true faith, which faith is kept by the power of God (1 Pe 1:5),
and not to those of counterfeit faith (Mt 7:21-23), which does not save.

That is not what the text says in John 10:28-29, which is probably why you didn't bother quoting it. How about we look at what it actually says.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Nowhere does this say that we can't lose our faith and leave Him. No one can take us away from Him, but that doesn't mean we can't leave Him.
Did you even read the verse? I'll just repeat what I already said. This verse is talking about true Christians because only true Christians can "hold the beginning of our condifence steadfast unto the end". If you don't have confidence (faith) in the first place then you can't hold it until the end.
Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Why is that word "if" there if there is no chance that we could lose our faith?

Because not all faith is true faith. . .as in Mt 7:22-23.
The "if" excludes counterfeit faith.

What does this mean (your comment, not the verse itself)? You couldn't be more vague if you tried. This is a better translation that reflects what the verse is actually saying:

Titus 2:11 (NIV): For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."

What is the difference between something "appearing" and something "being seen?"

No one can even see the kingdom of God until he is born again (Jn 3:3-5), even though it appears in Christ (Mt 12:28).

One doesn't need to be born again to see their lost condition and their need to repent of their sins.

Au contraire. . .

If you can't even see the spiritual reality of Christ's kingdom (Jn 3:3-8), you also can't see the spiritual reality of repentance of sin.