This scripture clearly shows that not only does God ELECT some of of us, but some of us He does not. This choice has nothing to do with us, it is of Him as He WILLS.
If thats true, then there is undeniable contradiction with verses like, "Therefore be all the more
diligent to make certain of your calling and
election; for as long as you practice these things you will never stumble, and
IN THIS WAY the EISODOS-GATE of Heaven will be abundantly provided to you. BUT he who LACKS these qualities is blind or short-sighted and
has forgotten his purification from former sins" (1Pet4-11)---but you dispute Peter's words, don't you?
"We don't hafta make sure of our ELECTION for it is GOD who has elected us in SPITE of our belief (or before our belief), and it is not POSSIBLE to forget purification, but if we DO lose these things the gates of Heaven will still be provided but
not as abundantly".
How can I convince you that the above statment ^ is unscriptural?
I have given up on trying to change your mind Ben. I only answer you occasionally to try to undo some of the damage you do to the weaker brother.
Do we not agree on the foundations of salvation? That it is
receiving Christ as Lord (master!) and Savior, being "born again" (in Christ, a new creation Gal2:20, 2Cor5:17)? I think we do. Now, by my belief in "diligence and perseverance" I am required to spend time with God and grow close to Him---where is the penalty for my belief if I am wrong?
ALL THAT RESULTS is a stronger, closer walk with Him!
...but if YOU are wrong in YOUR consideration, then the risk of believing in any "OSAS" view, is ETERNAL D*MNATION!
Which view poses the greater risk of harm?
But ultimately, God. "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you."
John15:16. Yes; and, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world..." Eph1:4
...and yet, in the same chapter of John, verse 15:16, "If anyone does not abide in Me he is cut off ...and cast into the fire." 15:6 And, "God has chosen us from the beginning for salvation through Spirit-sanctification
AND THROUGH FAITH IN THE TRUTH!"
I do not accept that "FAITH-UNTO-SALVATION" is a second dispensation of grace. "FAITH comes from HEARING---how shall they believe if they do not hear?" Rm10
"For by GRACE have you been saved THROUGH FAITH"---If Paul had understood "faith-to-salvation" as being a dispensation of grace, then how would Eph2:8 have been written so? It would not. Paul would have written, "For by grace have you been saved, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God." But instead, Paul says, "For by grace through faith have you been saved and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God". "THAT" does not exhibit the same gender in the Greek as "FAITH" so Paul did NOT mean "that faith"; "THAT" is "THAT SALVATION";
that salvation, by grace, that is a gift of God, a gift that must be RECEIVED!"
"But as many as RECEIVED CHRIST, to THEM He gave the right to become children of God,
even those who believe in His name!" Jn1:12
How am I not communicating this well enough?