Scripture says, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed! But you say one either has salvation or they don't have salvation!
Scripture says, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. You say that once a person is saved, they cannot lose that salvation. Sooooo why do we have to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith if, according to your OSAS theory, we are guaranteed salvation once we feel in our tummy we are saved?
Whom should I believe? You? Or Scripture?
Mary, I did not want to interrupt your exchange although, I see you have not give scripture its due its entitled to, given it much chance to speak to you in context, and what Paul means concerning salvation.
See in Romans 13:11, Paul is speaking of the urgency to stay the course of righteousness since they first believed and are being saved. Yes, being saved with the credit or down payment deposited, of the Spirit given for their future immortal life. Their realization of their salvation would come soon, their reward for seeking Christ and receiving the Spirit of him and his father. When they pass and are raised up, this is the time they receive their reward of true salvation, in their new bodies of glory. They knew it when they first believed in Christ.
(Rom 13:11) " And consider this too: Knowing the time, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. "
And similarly, 2 Timothy 4:6 is speaking of Paul's nearing physical death. And be was chosen and became marked for salvation as others and embarked on his road to salvation since he met Jesus one day; and was being saved ever since.
He has fought the good fight as part of his trials of ridding himself of his carnality and developing a diminished self, into doing the will of God in his life and therefore by staying holy in his walk. And he says he has finished the race, already, because he knows he is dying or going to die shortly. He also expects his true living salvation, his crown of righteousness, as his reward in immortality.
(2Ti 4:6) For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure comes.
(2Ti 4:7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
(2Ti 4:8) From this time forward there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me alone, but also to all those that have loved his appearing.
Just saying, folks do get marked for salvation today with the possession of spirt of the Son and the Father, and are being saved until their reward, of this salvation given in the next life, with true righteousness and immortality. I believe I'm one of these persons.