Well , He has given us free will. I have confusion about this particular question because of the verses that say and at least insinuate that we can’t lose our salvation. I could only think that it possible a person like that was not really “saved” to begin with. Then again, even then we may not lose salvation by turning away but expect to be taken to the wood shed. You got me on this one but overall, I have no qualms about my own salvation so will not lose sleep over whether some one else can reject his. Happy New Year and big Aloha from Maui.
Well, we agree on free will so that eliminates a lot of disagreement such as double predestination, etc.
I think “not really saved to begin with” allows a really big fudge factor and also the fact that we can be wrong.
In general, I think of salvation as integral to what occurs at death - this is, after all, what we are saved from: being saved is being one “who endures to the end.” Finishing the race as Paul refers to it. We cannot presume to have endured that which we have not yet faced or finishing a race we have not run.
But there is still the life and salvation prior - the process being completed at death. We do not know what we will face before then, what sins we will fall to, what harmful actions we will commit, whether we will repent of them and so on. But we are saved by grace through faith in the present moment and the next moment...
I think it more accurate for Christians to say: I am saved, I am being saved, with faith and hope that I will be saved when I enter heaven.
Thanks for your thoughtful post, Happy New Year, and a big Howdy from Texas.