Yes, but in that passage, he mentions two different boasts: 1) boast in the hope of the glory of God and 2) boast in our tribulations. I was making reference to his second mention of boasting.
Why do we boast in our tribulations, according to Paul?
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint . . .
Focus on the word in bold: "knowing" We boast in our tribulations KNOWING that bla, bla, bla. This kind of knowledge isn't found in a book. This is the kind of knowledge that we learn by experience. Paul is talking about experiential learning. We acquire knowledge about ourselves through direct practice. We reflect on our faith experience to identify a new and permanent quality of our faith.
What do we know about our faith from experience? God tests us. Some of us fail and fall away, while others of us remain. And the more times we remain, the more our confidence builds until we eventually come to realize that our faith is permanent.
Many people have learned through their own experiences that difficult and challenging times can help develop perseverance. Perseverance, in turn, can lead to a proven faith, which brings about hope that does not disappoint. The Greek word used to describe "proven faith" is δοκιμήν, which refers to something that has been tested and proven. To illustrate this concept, the Greeks used to test pots to see if they leaked. Those that passed the test were labeled as "tested and proven," while those that leaked were labeled as "tested but not proven" and were deemed unfit for use.
According to Paul, a tested and proven faith is the solid basis for hope. To say that a proven faith might fall away is to deny what the apostles teach us about the connection between the testing of our faith and our confident expectation in our being glorified at the return of Jesus Christ. If an unbreakable faith was not possible, then no one would have a basis for hope. The only thing remaining would be fairy tales and wishful thinking.
It is NOT as you suppose, that we might fall away simply because we can fall away. In Paul's view, God leads those whom he is saving into a state of "assurance", which is solidly grounded on proof. How does Jack know he is being saved? Jack has proof. How does Mary know that she will be saved and see her Lord when he comes? She has proof. The basis of our hope in the gospel is the testing and proof of our faith.
We do not boast in our faith. That is not what Paul was teaching. We boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Yes, the Apostles teach that Born-Again Christians will remain faithful. Warnings and exhortations do not support the idea that faith can never be tested and proven. Both are true.
That is your belief that rejects all the Scriptural warnings to born again elect Christians to remain faithful to inherit life.
2 Peter 1:8-11 (WEB) 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten {{{
the cleansing from his old sins}}}. 10 Therefore, {{{
brothers and
sisters}}},
be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For
if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11
For thus you will be richly supplied with the
entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:17 (WEB) 17 You therefore,
beloved, knowing these things beforehand,
beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked,
you fall from your own steadfastness.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (WEB) But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Master who bought them,
bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them
the way of truth will be blasphemed.
I disagree with your interpretation. James is not teaching believers about their responsibility. He is noting those among the believers who are "blessed". Blessed are those believers who survive the testing of their faith. Why? Because when God tests our faith, this affords us an opportunity to know ourselves.
Suppose a rich landowner won't pay John his wages. Since John is unable to feed his family, he wonders whether God is good and whether he can continue to believe in a God who doesn't seem to care for those of faith. But John doesn't lose his faith and he keeps believing. What does John learn about himself? He learns that if his faith can survive such extreme hardship then it can survive whatever else God might bring his way. John learned about the quality of his faith. His faith is deemed "dokime" -- proven. And according to the Apostles a "dokime" faith will never fail.
James 1:12 (WEB) 12 Blessed is
a person {{{
who}}}
endures temptation, for when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to {{{
those who love him.}}} …16 Don’t be deceived,
my beloved brothers and
sisters.
No wondering is involved here. James is addressing Christians; in that they, of themselves, are to endure temptation; so that, when they are approved, they will receive the crown of life. This warning and admonition is real, because James ends by saying:
16 Don’t be deceived,
my beloved brothers and
sisters.
The brothers and sisters who endure are those who show that they love God:
Lord promised to {{{
those who love him.}}}
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is our guarantee.
To those who believe.
But contrary to your interpretation, he is not saying that one must first sow to the Spirit and keep sowing to the Spirit before God pours out his Spirit into the heart. You have that backwards. A person continues to sow to the Spirit because the Spirit has been poured out in our hearts. Action follows inwardness.
The Spirit is poured out on believers.
John 7:37-38 (WEB) 37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “
If anyone is thirsty,
let him come to me and drink! 38
He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from
within him will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But he said this about
the Spirit, which
those believing in him were to receive.
Ephesians 1:13 (WEB) In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom,
having also believed,
you were sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit
And these born-again Christians are obligated to continue living, walking, and sowing to the Spirit to have Life.
Romans 8:12 (
To the believers in Rome) So then,
brothers and
sisters,
we have an obligation, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For
if you live after the flesh,
you must die; but
if {{by the Spirit}}
you {{put to death the deeds of the body}},
you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
Galatians 6:7-9 (WEB)
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man
Sows, that he will also
Reap.
8 For he who
Sows to his own flesh will from the flesh
Reap corruption. But he who
Sows to the Spirit will {{{
from the Spirit}}}
Reap eternal life. 9 {{{
Let us}}} not be weary in doing good, for {{{
we}}} will
Reap in due season, {{{
if we}}} {{{
do not give up}}}.
Peter speaks about those who are born-again to a living hope. In your view, the presence of warnings nullifies our hope and it isn't actually a living hope at all.
The "hope" is only for those who believe.