It is one of the most anger-provoking issues in Christianity. One wise Christian forum finally banned all OSAS vs. non-OSAS debates.
I came into Christianity through an OSAS ministry and thought that's what all Christians believed. Through study, I determined that this simply isn't the biblical position, nor is it what the Orthodox or Catholics have ever believed (or a fair number of Protestants believe, for that matter).
The non-OSAS position is typically attacked as adding "works" to "faith." No, it is simply defining "having faith" as a state that continues until death, as opposed "having faith" being an act that occurs at a moment in time.
We will learn whether we had faith when we stand before God and He tells us. There is no reason to suppose that any particular works or any particular quantum of works are required.
To me works are equated to a person whom by the newness of Christ in them afford their efforts towards doing Gods will in faith and willfulness, building up spiritual treasure in heaven rather than on earth though a person is capable of fluxing into their weaknesses from time to time, and no one is invincible to not having a desire come up which they may go after, even while retaining faith in Yahavah, despite given disposition of nation, providence, country.
It seems to me that know one knows how much the spirit of God is in someone, only the person through their experience knows. And I mean how Yahavah in and within a person who is actively seeking faith in God, they continue to be rewarded with the attributes of Love itself, which Jesus speaks are the fruit of the vine whom partakes of him, and the blessed are they who are poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Why? Because they within themselves and Yahavah commune and have a relationship and not only this but fellowship with the Father, and the Son. It’s really amazing what the Lord Yeshua has done for all of mankind in order to know these things are of God.
Two kinds of wisdom
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and [
a]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and
so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, [
b]natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and [
c]selfish ambition exist, [
d]there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, [
e]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, [
f]impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace [
g]by those who make peace.
Galatians 5
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who [
h]belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What
does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what
does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [
a]your works, and I will show you my faith by [
b]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [
c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [
d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [
e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent
them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
I can't see how holding an OSAS or non-OSAS position would affect my daily walk in the slightest, but non-OSAS seems to me to have the considerably stronger biblical support.
