justbyfaith
Well-Known Member
The Word of God makes it clear that we, as converted, born-again believers must cooperate with God's grace. This is why Paul uses the term "sunergos"/co-workers with God (1 Cor. 3:9, 2 Cor. 6:1).
The verses in question (1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 6:1), in context, do not speak of us cooperating with God's grace for our own salvation...but they speak of cooperating with God in order to bring about the salvation of others.
We ARE eternally secure as we cooperate with His saving grace.
Of course, if we are truly justified, we have been born again....and thus have been given a new nature that is inclined towards cooperating with the grace of God, concerning sanctification.
However, clearly, because to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5)...because we are justified as ungodly people...our justification is not dependent therefore on our performance or cooperation...but only on faith.
This doesn't mean that we save ourselves. God's love is unconditional - but salvation is NOT.
Yes, I would agree, that there is one condition placed on our salvation...faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:2).
Jesus assures us that NOBODY can pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28) - and this is a fact. You CAN, however, leave by your OWN will - and Scripture warns us of this over and over
Yes, and most certainly those who leave by their own will are those who do not have the fear of the LORD in them.
But if anyone does have the fear of the LORD, they cannot walk away.
Jer 32:38, And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
Jer 32:39, And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Jer 32:40, And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
They shall not depart from God because of His fear in their hearts; which is a for ever fear according to this scripture.