If you expect me to answer your questions, then you will need to answer mine[/QUOT4]
I've already answered your questions, but mine have not been answered. That's the way it works; if you want answers, please go back and answer my questions.
and since you have side-stepped the last question I asked you
Since you've side-stepped all my questions.
I am going to ask that you actually answer the simple question I asked, which comes from John 15:6
When my questions to you have been answered.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw
them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:6
Jesus says that the branch that becomes severed from the vine, will wither, and is cast
into the fired and burned.
- Do you believe a branch that is cast into the fire and burned, still has the Life it once had from the Vine?
JLB
This quetion is invalid, as it assumes Jesus was speaking about losing salvation on the basis of producing no fruit. Indeed, if that were true, then our salvation is maintained by ourselves, which I strongly reject. That is a works-salvation system, and quite unbiblical.
So, the answer to your question is this: the question is invalid, and reflects an assumption that the Bible does NOT teach anywhere.
In fact, Jesus taught eternal security by His statement in Jn 10:28 in which He said those to whom He gives eternal life will never perish.
And, previously, in Jn 5:24 Jesus taught WHEN one receives eteranl life; WHEN they believe. This includes WHEN they FIRST believed.
So, eternal security is not promised at the end of our physical lives, based on fruit production, or continuance of faith, but the MOMENT when one believes, they are said to NEVER PERISH.
There is no explaining that away.
Eternal security is very plainly taught in Scripture.
There are no conditions for the recipients of eternal life to fulfill in order to never perish.
Just by the simple FACT of receiving the gift of eternal life, they will never perish. Jesus said so plainly.