Hey BOL, your endurance in arguing the point still amazes me.
I myself am not only a believer in once saved always saved, but I am also a believer in- "the restoration of all things." And God's final victory.
What I call "the grater grace."
You ask for scriptural proof .
There is no such thing...but people will forever argue for the sake of it...as if they have "the final proof " in some scripture or another. They
don't!
Any true bible reader knows that anything and any doctrine can be " proved" by many scriptures, and then,
just as easily be "proved" oppositely with just as viable scriptures.
Today I didn't do much more on the Site than to just read all the threads, and read all the posts in them.
Some actually make me want to vomit.
Some people are so sure of themselves. And yes , I emphasize "
of themselves" ...they pick scriptures out and declare that by quoting "these verses" they themselves are the mouth of God....and what they say is totally 100% correct.
Very few on here write their posts with "IMO" or "this is what I believe", some of the
self confidence amazes me....... but I am wandering here, sorry.
Just saying...there is
no hard and fast answer
either way.
I believe -
"
He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy...that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7) And again,
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become the children of God...who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, but of God." (Jn.1:12-13) And again, "
For by grace are you saved through faith, and THAT not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph.2:8-9) And again,
"So then, it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. ...And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace..." (Rom.9:16; 11:5-6)
And Many many more verses.
But I admit there are many many verses that appear to contradict those verses. Verses that seem to turn the eternal security verses on their heads.
So, how did I personally reconcile ALL scripture...My answer is I don't try...I trust.
I trust God , "By faith and by faith alone."
I had a glimpse in the 80's of the Father heart of God.
I have a glimpse of The Great Love of God... I took a step over the line , and on my knees I told God that I would never doubt Him or His love again ....and, I would die believing that as in Adam all mankind died, thus in Christ shall all mankind be made alive.
I took God Himself 'by faith'.
Other people can believe about Him what they like...I know what I
believe....in that I will stand or fall. My choice.
But as for all these people ( including you.
)
Who demand, " Give me bible proof"... you will find just as many scriptures to challenge it. That is why you don't see me in all the endless threads on
"lets see who can out scripture whom." Total waste of time.
Anyone can cherry pick their favourite scriptures that supports what they believe, and any one else can just as easily shoot that cherry picked scripture down with a different verse! It's no more than a game.
That is just my story and my view.
===========
EDIT:-
Case in point...I just left this thread after posting and went to the next one on my list for reading...guess what I read?
Quote :- < No, you haven't given many Scriptures, and I have explained the Scriptures you have given to show your error. > ( with different scriptures....)
It's all one big circus....
