I just said: Our having that life is conditional upon our continuing in the faith. (which includes faithfulness)
What verses say that one must continue in the faith in order having eternal life?
Jesus taught that one HAS eternal life WHEN one believes in Him. John 5:24
COL1:21-23; HEB 3:14, 2PE 1:5-10, EZE 18:24
Col 1:21-23 - 21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I,Paul, was made a minister.
OK, "if indeed you continue in the faith", what happens? Does one receive eternal life? No. It is "in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and byond reproach". I believe you have misread the text.
Heb 3:14 - For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end
OK, where is there any mention of eternal life here? Why would one think that "becoming partakers of Christ" refers to getting saved, receiving eternal life? The Greek word means "to partner". This is something only believers are qualified to do. No unbeliever can be a "partner of Christ". I believe you have misunderstood the text.
2 Pet 1:5-11 - 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior JesusChrist will be abundantly supplied to you.
OK, another misunderstood passage. I added v.11 because it is REASON Peter admonishes his audience to add to their faith. For not just an entrance, but an "abundantly supplied" entrance. iow, reward for adding to your faith.
And the passage is clear about the FACT that those who "lack these qualities" has "forgotten his purification from his former sins" (v.9). Point being, his sins have been purified even though he has forgotten.
The passage is about spiritual growth to maturity. It's done by adding to our faith these specific character qualities. There is nothing here about receiving eternal life based on effort, works, etc.
Exe 18:24 - “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.
This text is about physical death, not eternal. There is no suggestion of eternal death here. It's the same theme throughout the OT. Obedience results in blessings and life. Disobedience results in loss of blessings and death.
Paul was referring specifically to the calling of Israel but it is appropriate to apply it to the gift of eternal life.
Paul noted both the calling and gifts of God, which are irrevocable. Eternal life is irrevocable.
However, the fact that God will not "take back" His gift does not mean that we cannot toss it aside and choose not to "walk in it."
I've already addressed this. The FACT is that nowhere in Scripture is such a scenario described or taught; that man can "loss it aside". As for choosing to not walk in it, what are you referring to? The only verse that comes to mind is Gal 5:16, which is about walking by means of the Holy Spirit, so we will NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Again, nothing about eternal life being "tossed away".
Upon being given a gift, it is within the power of the receiver to cherish or discard it.
True with all objects, but we're not talking about mere objects. We're talking about a new birth, regeneration, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, HAVING eternal life, which is God's life.
How dare anyone claim that a mere human has the power or authority to discard the life that God has imparted.
The reason I though you might be Calvinist is the "I" in TULIP; "Irresistible Grace." That refers to the idea that man is not capable of rejecting God's gift.
They do it all the time.
We cannot be good enough to be justified by our good works. But, as I understand it, God will not give eternal life to someone who believes but neglects to do the works "...which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10 - The "ghost verse."
There is nothing in Eph or anywhere else that teaches that one must believe PLUS do the works, as is being suggested or claimed. v.10 is no ghost verse. It's the REASON for what we were prepared to do as believers. To serve God.
Everyone wants to stop at 2:9 and then skip 10.) From what James says I gather that faith without Works will not save anyone.
That was not his message at all. If so, then he contradicts the rest of the Bible.
James 2:15,16 gives us an example of someone who doesn't live by what they claim. iow, a hypocrite. And believers can be just as big a hypocrite as unbelievers. James was encouraging believers to live out their faith so that others can see their faith.
2:18 proves that.
