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To those that have known the truth , because they crucified Christ again , and Christ can not die for them again . So they have gone too far .
Those ignorant is another case .
By how people live that's how we see their fruit , not just words that sound good . The Pharisees where experts at that .
When people receive the mark of the Beast , that will be willful sin . They are for ever lost . How sad .
Conclusion, take sin deadly seriously. If you seek to over come God will help you all the way home . John 3.16
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
True believers will heed the warning to give diligence to walk with God, but the unsaved will not pay attention and will fall into hell in the end for not giving proper heed to the word of God. The unsaved who fall never got saved in the first place.
Very well said, Amen! That was the teaching in the early church. A person had to be born of God's Spirit in order to claim Christ as their Lord and savior. Romans 8:9 tells us that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
If I might add, salvation is not conditional based on what we do, but on what Jesus Christ has done for us. Colossians 1:23 says, "If ye continue in the faith," so it sounds conditional. But the literal translation from the Greek is, but the one who (has endured), not the one who will, but the one who has endured unto the end, this one will be saved.
Because it is an Aorist Participle in the Greek, it shows the proof of those who are saved, and it matches the rest of the teachings in the New Testament. The person who is saved WILL endure to the end, guaranteed! So we have the proof, and secondly, the promise of salvation. That is a promise!
I heard someone once say that the bible uses a lot of future tenses to show that salvation isn't here, it is later. No! That is a promise. A person is saved now. And when all this is over, the ones who will be saved are the ones who have endured unto the end.
So, I agree that only those who endure to the end in faith will reap eternal life, but I would also say that the person who is saved (Born of God's Spirit), that person will endure to the end. Why? Because God's Spirit in them will cause them to endure to the end. Like you say, we are the ones being kept by the power of God through faith. He keeps us saved, all the way to the end.
Again, very well said, and thank you for sharing this!!!
Again, I really appreciate your response, and I am actually hoping you could offer further insight into Col. 1:23. As I re-read this passage in scripture I notice that there does appear to be a condition to our salvation that does hinge on our continued faith in Christ. I do understand what you mean by salvation being a promise, but, even promises do often have conditions. I hear that a lot from my brothers and sisters in Christ who believe in Eternal Security, but, just don't see how unconditional security lines up with scripture. Let's look at Col. 1:23 "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". We see 2 things going on here that make this conditional. 1st, we see that we must "continue" in the faith. 2nd, we must not be "moved away". It is only when those 2 conditions are met that Christ will present us as holy and un-blamable.
If I may ask, when the writers of the KJV of the Bible were translating Col. 1: 23 why did they not just say "those who are filled with the Holy Spirit will endure to the end"? It just seems to confuse the reader to translate this as a conditional statement, but, not have any conditions to it. God is not the author of confusion, and I believe the writers of the KJV were inspired by the Holy Spirit, so why would Col. 1:23 be worded this way?
I value your insight and follow up, as I love friendly dialogue. thanks!
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
It is likely that Christian churches down through the centuries have always had more false believers than true. The Bible is written to the Church to the saved and lost together, and God never encourages believers to take comfort in their salvation and ignore their responsibility to go on with God. Those believers who do not pay attention to God's word and never get saved will end up falling away into hell.
True believers have a responsibility to walk with God in fear and trembling, seeking always to please Him and obey His word. A true believer who walks in disobedience cannot be lost again, but he can become less profitable and may be taken out of the world early because of that.
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.
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are par takers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Response- Yes, by grace we've been saved (past tense). We're told in the next verse that we're made for the purpose of good works. This gives evidence to genuine change in heart & we need to guard our heart (ref. Heb. 3: 12) That's why we can look to Rom 2:6-7 " Who will render to every man according to his deeds:To them who by patient CONTINUANCE in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, ETERNAL LIFE:" You can see from this text that salvation starts at the moment we believe on Christ, but, is not a 1x event. It is a lifelong walk. (Reference Rom. 6: 16 & Gal. 6: 7-9)
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.
Response- John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they FOLLOW me (present continuous tense). Those who actively follow Jesus will inherit eternal life. John 10:28 is such a blessing to know that no one can take me out of the love of Christ, but, even as Jude warns we are to keep ourselves in the love of Christ.
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are par takers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Response- Heb. 12:8 teaches how God corrects His children with the objective of bringing the backsliding back on the strait & narrow. However, we still have a free will and need to come back on our own. Ref. James 5:19-20; 2 Chron. 15: 2)
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Response- 1 Cor. 5:5 is talking about casting a sinner out of the church, as they could bring grave sin, hence a little leaven leaven the lump. Not a OSAS verse. See 1 Cor. 10: 7-12; 1 Cor. 15: 1-2
We are saved, are being saved, and will be saved it we endure to the end in Christ
We are saved, are being saved, and will be saved if we endure until the end in Christ.
Thanks for the question. Giving it some thought, I defer to what Jesus said, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as the unforgivable sin, but it is not clearly defined in His words. But I think that 1 Peter 2:1 speaks of this concerning those who are false teachers among the believers who bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. So, denying the Lord, which is apostasy, is this blasphemy against the testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus, His Person and work of saving atonement. I may be wrong on this. It may be helpful to read the whole chapter in 1 Peter.
I got saved in 1971 just before I joined the Army. I ended up in a church with one of my supervisors at Ft. Gragg and we became close friends for more than two years. But in 1974 my friend and I had a disagreement over a Bible teaching and he accused me of possibly having committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit for which I would never be forgiven. This bothered me a great deal so I began praying for God to show me what the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was all about. After seeking the answer for several years I believe the Lord finally answered me. Here is what I believe:
God has promised to enlighten every sinner born into the world ( 1 John 1:9). The Holy Spirit seeks to save every sinner in the world ( 1 Tim 2:4.) The Holy Spirit draws all men to Christ ( John 12:32.) The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is committed by sinners who see the light, are pointed to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and yet reject the light and speak evil of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or God. ( John 3:19.) The basis of condemnation to hell is rejecting the light clearly revealed to the unrepentant sinner by the Holy Ghost.
We see that in Romans 1 where sinners who clearly see and understand the light reject the light and are therefore condemned without excuse. The Pharisees who blasphemed the Holy Spirit in Mark 3 knew Jesus was God because Nicodemus said so in John 3:2. We know sinners who have not yet been shown the light by the Holy Spirit can be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit because of what Jesus said in John 15:22-24.
God will forgive me if I break all The Ten Commandments,,,10 times. Where sin did abound,, Grace did much more abound. It overwhelms sins, it leaves it defenseless. It swallows , consumes, defeats it
So if God will forgive me of every sin, I can think of save that of Blasphemy.
Then how can I explain what Blasphemy truly is?
Blasphemy is Rejecting God.
Mikey Out. Biscoe House of Mercy
A Christian becomes a new creature when born-again. There are certain sins that Christians are no longer capable of committing, such as denying the Lord that bought them.
1 John 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Take the parable of the 10 virgins. All 10 started with the oil in their lamps, which oil represents the Hoyl Spirit. 5 were foolish and not on tending to their oil lamps. They let it burn out and were rejected at the door by the bride-groom, representing Christ on the last day. Even though he said "depart from me, I never knew you" doesn't mean they never had the oil! They just let their oil run out. Christ, Paul, James, John, Peter, and all the writers of the OT all echoed the same thing. One who starts their journey with God MUST stay the course. If they don't then they won't go to heaven.
True Christians are not in danger of losing their salvation because of sin but false religionists are still in sin and will never be saved if they fail to seek the Lord for forgiveness. Lost sinners do not 'lose their salvation' because they never had salvation to begin with.
If Christians must maintain good works after they are saved then their salvation becomes a matter of their own efforts and good works, which is impossible. What sin is so bad that a Christian could lose his salvation and election over, adultery? Theft? Lying? Murder? Being late to work?
ALL. All means all.
1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
In the LAST TIME. It doesn't salvation is given on Earth.
1 Cor 9:24-27 "run the race", not the 'race was already won.'
1 Peter 1:13 "...hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
HOPE to the END. It doesn't say NOW. Grace that IS TO BE brought. It doesn't say NOW.
Joshua 24:15 "choose you this day whom ye will serve"
CHOOSE. It's a daily decision. Freewill is not stripped away.
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Not all believers are saved and not all who claim to be followers.
Matthew 12:32 "...but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN. I read this and know what it says.
James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
Believing alone isn't enough according to this verse.
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
This is a warning, it is clear, and I understand it. I don't want to test God.
James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Jude 1:21 "KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
These verses are the Words of God.
I read, pray for understanding, and know in my heart what these verses say and mean. If another believer says "No, that's not the truth, believe ME instead" then that is a huge red flag of something that doesn't come from God. God bless.
You quote from 1 Corinthians 9.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul likens the Christian life after salvation to that of running a race. He is talking about receiving rewards and commendations at the judgment seat of Christ. He is not talking about running to finally obtain long-sought-after salvation offered in Christ but never vouched by Christ until the race is audited by Christ, in the end, to see if the race was run well enough.
In v. 25, Paul states "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." You think this has to do with rewards (plural). However, this is singular. We compare this to James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that ENDURETH temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life (eternal life), which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (conditional promise!)." and Rev. 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou FAITHFUL unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (eternal life)."
In both James and Revelation there's enduring and overcoming. There are conditions to God's promise of eternal life.
As for "cast away", I fail to see the connection between being a cast away and receiving/losing heavenly rewards. Cast away means being cast our from Christ and His Kingdom. Continuing to 1 Cor. 10: 11-12 "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he FALL." Fall from what? Salvation! Also, in 1. Cor. 10:4 Paul says they drank of the spiritual rock, which was Christ. Yet, they were cut off and destroyed for not doing God's will. And we know idolators and fornicators won't inherit eternal life.
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
You quote Matthew 7.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Things I see:
1. All born-again believers bring forth good fruit and cannot bring forth evil fruit.
2. All unregenerate sinners bring forth evil fruit and cannot bring forth good fruit.
3. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is really a Christian. Those who show evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit give evidence they are saved, while those showing evidence of a corrupt spirit without the Holy Spirit give evidence they are not saved.
4. In the judgment many lost sinners will point to their good works as evidence they were saved but they still have no evidence of having been born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus rejects their good works and condemns them to the lake of fire, stating emphatically that He never knew them. He says to none of them that He once knew them before they turned back away from Him and lost their salvation.
We know from Eph. 1: 13 that we are sealed w/ the Holy Spirit when we believed on Christ, but, even seals can be broken. We also see in Eph. 1:14 that the Holy Spirit is our earnest, but, that is not a guarantee. If we could never have our names blotted out of the Book of Life and forfeit the Holy Spirit by not remaining faithful to Christ then why would Christ even tell his followers of the parable of the 10 virgins?
You also said that nowhere in the Bible does Christ say that he once knew someone and then didn't. For that, I go to Rev. 3:16, in which Christ spits out the lukewarm Christian. This is not a depiction of someone who was "never in Christ to begin with" but someone who was in Christ and is spit out.
Also Rev. 3: 21 "To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." To overcome means to endure to the end ( Matthew 24:13)
Paul speaks under inspiration of the Holy Spirit tell Christians in Rom. 6: 16 that only those who obey Christ will inherit eternal life. This is not a unconditional.
Also ref. 2 Peter 1: 10-11 regarding eternal life. It's conditional, not unconditional.
I've seen your posts before and agreed with many other of your views and felt they were grounded in Biblical truth. So, this is one area we have a difference in how we interpret the scriptures. To me it's 100% clear what the Bible says, and to you I'm sure you're 100% confident also. But our views are very different and are consequential as we're basically discussing the main aspect of Christianity.
So, let me only address just 1 of your points you wrote: "All born-again believers bring forth good fruit and cannot bring forth evil fruit."
Ok, I can see you took that idea from scripture which is great, but I just don't believe your interpretation as I see you're conflating sin with fruit to the point where you are possibly denying a Christian's ability to sin, is that correct?
Paul was a Christian and spoke about his struggles with fleshly desires and temptation to sin. Romans 7:13-25. So, he was a Christian who bore good fruit, yet still talked about his struggle with sin. He had to fight against it. He talked about having on the armor of God and being prepared for spiritual battles: Ephesians 6:10-18. He didn't say, we'll I'm "saved" and my fruit is good so I can do whatever I want. Quite the opposite.
1 John 2:4-6 - this indicates that we Christians continue to have a choice on whether to keep commandments or not. I'm sure you know that Paul's letters were to Christians.
Let me make a clear point. I'm a Christian and read the Bible daily and try to follow Jesus to the best of my ability, but I am imperfect and have temptations to sin just like any other human being. Sin can be fun by nature and I think most people admit to that. If you're so sure that it's impossible for a Christian to sin or do wrong or that we somehow don't have the freewill to, and is impossible to do wrong or to not follow Jesus, does that mean tonight I can choose to go out on the town and commit all kinds of sin that my flesh desires and you think I'll have no consequence?
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I see that Peter is addressing Christians only. I also see that those Christians have already been begotten again unto a lively hope. I also see that those Christians are kept by the power of God, not by their own power. I see that those Christians were elect and chosen in Christ from the foundation of the world and that their inheritance is reserved in heaven and shall never fade away.
Peter is encouraging Christians to keep themselves unspotted from the world so that when they are given their new bodies in the end and stand before Jesus at His judgment seat they will not be ashamed for any unrepentant disobedience.
Jesus does not condemn Christians to the lake of fire from the Judgment seat of Christ. Lost sinners are condemned to the lake of fire from the Great White Throne Judgment of God.
You correctly point out in Matt 12:32 that "the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men."
Jesus also said in Mark 3:28 that all other sins "shall be forgiven."
All sinners shall be forgiven all sins except for the sin of willfully and knowingly rejecting the witness of the Holy Ghost pointing the sinner to Jesus for salvation. It is impossible for a lost sinner to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost before the Holy Ghost speaks to that sinner pointing him to his need to come to Jesus for salvation. It is also impossible for a Christian who is saved because he yielded to the witness of the Holy Ghost to come to Jesus for salvation to then refuse to do that after he has already done it. Christians get saved once, not over and over again.
John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
John 15:24
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
How about the parable of the prodigal son? He was at home with the father, but, of his free will went out on his own and ended up lost. He came back again and we forgiven. He was dead and was made "alive again". Some may say this is a reference to the initial "born again" experience ( John 3). However, this is different because the prodigal son was already with the father before becoming an "apostate".
How about Rom. 11: 23 "And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again." This is in regard to the state of grace the gentiles were in and their need to remain in Christ or be cut off. Likewise, anyone who comes back to Christ can be graffed in AGAIN. This was a clear admonition to the Gentile converts to remain in the body of Christ or ultimately be lost.
There are so many warnings in the NT alone to think that it is impossible for one to walk away from Christ, renounce their faith, and still go to Heaven. And there is no proof in the Bible that everyone who renounces their faith was "never really saved". Some, yes. However, that doesn't negate the warnings to the true believer to remain in Christ or be cut off from eternal life. The Bible teaches salvation is a walk with Christ, not a 1 time event.
If one who renounce Christ is "never really saved", then how can anyone know if they are really saved, since we can't predict the future. We can have assurance of salvation and still take the warnings to remain on guard serious.
But that Crowd was coming at Me with everything but the kitchen sink, with their,, I'm allright, He's allright, She's allright, Everybody is a sinner, We all sin. This thinking, crowd just wants to sins, and they want a clean conscience while they do it.
And finally I said" Look it's around 12:00 ,and I haven't sinner yet. I'm not telling you I want need The Grace of God before the day is over. But I didn't get up this morning to see how much sin I could get by with, I got up trying not to sin.:And then I dropped this Bomb from The Holy Ghost: I said" I guess that's like my Brother in Law, He doesn't go to Church, pay his tithes, he is abusive to His Children. He drinks, smokes, does drugs fights everybody, cuss you out in a heartbeat, beats His Wife, He runs around on Her all the time. You know when He gets to Heaven He won't have any rewards at all will he? "
And they all looked at Me like I was crazy, and I said" What,, He's going ain't He, ain't that what y'all been saying all morning long, He can't never get out. And then I said" Do you see how crazy that sounds? Nobody even responded ,, and The Lord put them all to silence. Listen if the Righteous scarcely be saved, by the skin of our teeth. Where Shall the Sinner appear?
Mikey Out. Biscoe House of Mercy
Galatians 6: 7-9 "7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of THE SPIRIT REAP LIFE EVERLASTING. 9 And let US not be weary in well doing: for in due season WE shall reap, IF WE faint not." It's safe to say Paul was saved & writing to fellow believers. Notice how he says "we". If eternal security was unconditional I just wonder why he said we reap "life everlasting", including himself, if it can't be lost.
And, is murder and adultery sewing to the flesh or the spirit? The flesh! So, you just said we are still secure in salvation if we murder or commit adultery. Yet, the Bible says only those who sew to the spirit and don't quit will inherit eternal life. I just find this logic completely un-biblical and foreign to the church before the reformation.
Just because God's word teaches we must remain faithful to Christ doesn't make us "Legalists". That's a cop-out from the OSAS crowd who don't want to acknowledge we play a role in our relationship w/ Christ. Let's also not mistake "faith" and "works". You can try to twist faith to be a "work" but faith will always be faith. If remaining faithful to Christ is somehow a "work" then one could logically say that one's initial profession of faith is also a "work". Because, after all, to the OSAS crowd they appear to be more focused on their own one time profession than the relationship w/ Christ. Scripture always talking of us "walking" with Christ, and receiving the end of our faith, eternal life ( 1 Jn 2: 24-25; Rom. 6:22). Biblically speaking, only those who endure to the end in faith will inherit eternal life.
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believe do enter into his rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although THE WORKS were FINISHED from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 13:35 That it might be FULFILLED (the works finished before the foundation of the world) which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth IN PARABLES; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of the Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have CHOSEN YOU (from the foundation of the world) .....
Man is a vessel, he has no say IN THE WORKS OF GOD.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that WORKETH IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Man is FULFILLING the WORDS and WORKS FINISHED before the foundation of the world.
If you were CHOSEN from the foundation, you will be a FIRST FRUIT
If you were not CHOSEN to be a FIRST FRUIT, you will be brought into the kingdom at the feast if the Ingathering.
God Bless You!
Regarding Mt. 13:35, I'm not sure what this has to do with unconditional eternal security. Christ's perfect sacrifice was known Him since the foundation of the world. Yet, each individual believer must repent, turn to Christ, & remain grounded/steadfast if they are going to receive the end of their faith, eternal life ( Rom. 6:22).
Regarding Jn 15:16, Christ is omniscient. From the foundation of the world he knew who his 12 apostles would be and who would betray him. Yet, each individual believer must come to Christ and abide in him for the hope of eternal life. 1 Jn 2:24-25 makes this clear.
You also said "Man is a vessel, he has no say IN THE WORKS OF GOD." If this is the case, why doesn't God just save everyone? After all, it's the will of the Father that all be saved. I agree salvation is of God. It's HIS grace & gift to give. Yet, we must receive this gift (that's something we do) & must endure in saving faith for eternal life. And Faith is faith. Remaining faithful doesn't somehow make it "work". Calling it a work is somewhat of a straw man argument.
Regarding Phi. 2:13, this is a primary function of the Holy Spirit, but, we can resist, grieve and quench it. Notice v. 16 "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Paul would labour in vain if his converts didn't endure to the end for eternal life.
You are only painting half a picture. Yes, there are many out there who won;t genuinely have the Godl'y sorrow that Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians that leads to true repentance, but, many will. As such, even when we are filled with God's Spirit we MUST remain on guard. If not, then everything Jesus warned about in His Earthly ministry was a lie. Since God does not lie, we have to take Jesus at His word. And, just to set the record straight, while Jesus' ministry on Earth was to "save the house of Israel" ALL of his teaching were for all people, including gentiles who would convert. If one is going to quote John 3:16 then they also need to quote all of Jesus' warning, including remaining steadfast.
So, you only painted half a picture. The other half, which paints a full picture, is that even us who are saved MUST endure in faith. This is very clearly spoken of by Paul, Peter, Jude and James in the NT. 2 Peter 2: 14 says "Wherefore, beloved (true believers), seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, WITHOUT SPOT, AND BLAMELESS." Compare what to Col. 1: 22-23 "yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you (true believer) holy and UNBLAMEABLE and unreproveable in his sight: IF ye CONTINUE in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". Jude says Christ is able to "keep us from falling and present us faultless, but, also says we need to keep ourselves in the love of Christ!
Failure to remain in Christ only leads to hell. No exceptions!!
I'm happy to discuss Colossians 1:23. It says "if you continue," and it sounds like its conditional. You can be reconciled, have the promise of this position before God in His representation of you, but if you don't continue.
This is the construction in Greek that's called the first class condition assumed to be true. He's not saying if you continue on. He's saying since you are continuing in the faith, and listen to this: having been grounded and settled, and not being moved away.
There's a lot there, but basically having been grounded, every Christian that receives Christ has been grounded, and they continue on because of that. They are settled in Christ. They have received Christ. And then we have a Present Participle in the Greek text: "And are not continually being in the promise of being moved away."
So it's not just a one-time condition where somebody says "I moved away from Christ and I lost all my salvation." There are people who are in the process of continually being removed from Christ. They are not true believers. They do not continue.
In fact, Jesus in John 8:30-31 tells us that to those Jews who have believed in Him, He says my genuine disciples continue in my word.
That's one of the characteristics of a believer. Some people you have to nag to stay in the word. If a believer, somebody who is born of the Spirit of God, if he or she tried to get away from the word, they are miserable.
And so with a genuine believer, Jesus says that they will continue in my word. If you try to stop, the Lord will convict you and deal with you. That's a characteristics of a true believer.
We don't get this from our English text because English is such a general language. But the Greek text reads, "Since (you are) continuing in the faith, having already been grounded and settled, and (you are) not being moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
If yes ; just Get saved and God will do the rest , no need to do any thing , a common response . No fear or concerns .
If no : then be careful how you live , it could be fatal . Yes with faith and Gods help we can do it , common response , its worth it considering the option.
This must be the biggest question of all time in my Opinion . My belief is Only the Bible has the truth , and it must convince any one , or they just my get deceived . Jesus said Beware lest any man deceive you . Our eternity is at stake .