My view is based on the whole context. Yes, v.10 is the main verse, but "whether we are awake or asleep" is defined from v.4-9. v.10 doesn't occur in a vacuum.
I agree that it doesn't just occur in a vacuum.
Also, let me note that I have no expectation to change your mind here. I want to remain civil in my opposition to your perspectives for the sake of the people viewing this thread. I think your doctrine is dangerous, but that is my opinion of your view. Not you.
It's not dangerous; it's Scriptural. And I'm sure the others who posted do understand what I posted.
So far, all you've done is disagree. Where is the evidence?
I provided plenty of evidence, and will provide more still.
John has perhaps the most explicit warnings about those who claim to follow God and yet practice a sinful lifestyle.
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No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:10-11 (ESV)
Those who are born of God, which most every Christian would equate to being saved for all intents and purposes, must reflect this Scripture. That they cannot have a lifestyle of sinful practices, which is what the Greek participle present represents in the word "sinning." That it is made evident who is of the devil, and who is of God based upon their actions, and whoever does not practice righteousness or love his brother is not of God.
This in addition to the texts I have noted refutes the concept of the Carnal Christian which you are attempting to assert.
Actually,
1 Cor 6,
Eph 5 and
Gal 5 all refer to inheritance in the kingdom, not entering the kingdom. It would be an error to mistake the difference. These 3 passages are about loss of rewards in the kingdom; not loss of getting into the kingdom.
Freegrace asserts that this has to do with loss of reward, not loss of salvation. This betrays so much Scripture, but I will not just make the assertion but I will defend it with Scripture.
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:5-6 (ESV)
Freegrace asserts that a person who is sexually immoral or impure, or covetous is still saved. That would mean that they would not be subject to the wrath of God per 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Yet, in the context of Ephesians 5, we see that this is distinctly not the case. That he states rather strongly that they have no inheritance in the Kingdom (the kingdom is our inheritance, the new heavens and new earth). He goes on to warn them not to be deceived, which Paul really knew that many would try to deceive on this notion. That it is because of these actions that the wrath of God is coming. Freegrace's understanding would say that these people have nothing to fear of the wrath of God, yet Paul argues that it is on the basis of actions like these that it is coming at all.
Paul even makes the command not to even associate yourself with a person who claims to be a Christian and yet lives this way.
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But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one." 1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)
These groups are among those listed in Revelation 21, which are said to have their fate in the lake of fire. This is spoke right after he says that the victorious will inherit the blessings of the New Creation and New Earth.
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But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
Also, the inheritance of the Kingdom of God, is the new heavens and new earth, or the "world." When Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth, he wasn't just making a spiritual saying. Paul expounds on this.
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For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith." Romans 4:13 (ESV)
That the promise given to Abraham and now available to believers, isn't just about being heirs of the promised land in Israel, but heirs of the world. That is heirs of the new earth and new heavens, where God and man reside together in peace, that is the blessing and salvation that is called by John, "eternal life." It is the thing that the young ruler asks in Luke, "how may I inherit eternal life."
That seems to be a pre-conceived bias. That's not how I approach Scripture. Why do you say the passage "cannot mean" eternal security? What evidence to you provide for that idea?
It is not a pre-conceived bias, I made this argument off of the foundation that this interpretation would be refuted many other places in Scripture. Another instance would be Matthew 25, where those rejected by Jesus are done so on the basis of their works, even though they claimed to know him. Or also Matthew 7.
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Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
These people would be saved in Freegrace's doctrine, but not according to the Bible, where he tells them to depart and calls them "workers of lawlesness."
Nope. The context is very clear; Paul was contrasting believers with unbelievers before he wrote v.10.
Please cite where unbelievers are particularly named.
No, because of the context where Paul distinguished between believers and unbelievers in v.4ff.
Let's look at v.4
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But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief." (ESV)
He says to the believers in Thessalonica that they are not in darkness, and then on that basis says that that would not surprise them like a thief. This seems to indicate that the darkness isn't about a righteous lifestyle, but about enlightenment to the signs of Jesus' coming. That they will be prepared and not caught unawares.
The immediate context as more influence than a passage not so immediate.
This was another possible interpretation that many believe, which has connections for the reasons previously mentioned.
They only make "more sense" for those who approach the text with a bias like yourself. With such a bias as you've expressed, it's no wonder you must look for a different understanding.
I look to the whole of Scripture, and do not support the idea that Christians can live however they want and still be saved. This doctrine of hypergrace or easy believeism that acknowledges the existence of the "carnal Christian," is one of the most destructive and dangerous doctrines out there today.
That is why I share Paul and John's sentiment, "do not be deceived."
I warn the readers in this thread to carefully read 1 John in particular and examine themselves, for God will not just allow you to live in any manner you please. Indeed, he will not only not permit it, but if you are empowered by the Holy Spirit, it cannot be possible according to 1 John to live by the Spirit and have that lifestyle.
