You bring up some good questions, and I am going to respond the best I can by Scripture.
If it is true that the true believer will remain - guaranteed - what do we do with all the instruction and warnings in the Epistles given to the Believers about remaining faithful, about falling away, about standing firm in the doctrine to be saved?
What do we do with Passages that show that some who were in "THE" [def. article] Faith but later fell away?
1 Timothy 1:19 (WEB) 19 “holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away “made a shipwreck” (Greek: enauagēsan) concerning {{{THE faith}}}”
1 Timothy 4:1 (WEB) 1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from {{{THE faith}}}, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons
1 Timothy 6:20 (WEB) Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from {{{THE faith}}}.
When we understand that the Epistles are all written to true believers, the elect bride, grafted into Israel by faith in Lord Jesus (Romans 11:19-22), then doesn't it appear that all the warnings to these Christians about falling away, and examples of those who did fall away, are written because of the real possibility that they can fall away if they are not careful?
1 Timothy 4:16 (WEB) The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy: 16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear (listen to) you.
Romans 11:19-22 (ESV) Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (WEB) Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.
The "work" we do comes from "faith." If our Faith is genuine, then we have now renounced the old life of sinful passions, and have committed ourselves to follow Lord Jesus into a sanctified life of righteousness and love, which is what Baptism represents (Romans 6; Colossians 3:1-17).
This is "The Faith" by which the Spirit indwells the believer to lead him in the faith he committed to when he first believed.
However, the Christian remains responsible for his faith, in that, the Scriptures repeatedly warn the believers about falling away.
Would you say that we are adopted sons and daughters through faith?
Galatians 3:26 (WEB) For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
If a Christian does not continue in the faith, is he/she still a child of God? Just wondering.
A person who is "born of God" cannot continue in sin (1 John 3:9-10). However, what happens if the born of God Christian, whom John is writing to, does not remain in the faith?
1 John 2:24 (WEB) Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.
According to John, who is responsible for remaining in the Gospel doctrine - God or the Christians he is writing to?
Whose obligation is it to live by the Spirit to have life?
Romans 8:12-14 (WEB) 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we [Paul includes himself] 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.
What do you think Paul meant by saying "if we do not give up" in the following Scripture?
Also, to whom will the Spirit give eternal life to according to this Passage?
Galatians 6:7 (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.
What does Paul mean when he states"
"{{{If}}} we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit?"
Is this instruction that Paul is giving for Christians to follow, and does it include himself (we/us)?
Galatians 5:24-25 (WEB) 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified [past tense] the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Are the warnings in "Galatians 5:20-21" given to Spirit indwelt Christians or false believers?
Also, whose responsibility is it to "keep in step with the Spirit?"
Galatians 5:20-21, 24 (WEB) 21 I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. ... 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk [keep in step with] by the Spirit.
Is "Hebrews 10:24-31" written as a sober warning to true Believers or false Christians?
Hebrews 10:24-31 (WEB)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
26 {{{For}}} if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge HIS people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Will God judge HIS people if they do not remain faithful? Or were these false believers all along?
Or could it be said Gods promise are only to those who truly believe, for they WILL remain..
If it is true that the true believer will remain - guaranteed - what do we do with all the instruction and warnings in the Epistles given to the Believers about remaining faithful, about falling away, about standing firm in the doctrine to be saved?
What do we do with Passages that show that some who were in "THE" [def. article] Faith but later fell away?
1 Timothy 1:19 (WEB) 19 “holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away “made a shipwreck” (Greek: enauagēsan) concerning {{{THE faith}}}”
1 Timothy 4:1 (WEB) 1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from {{{THE faith}}}, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons
1 Timothy 6:20 (WEB) Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from {{{THE faith}}}.
When we understand that the Epistles are all written to true believers, the elect bride, grafted into Israel by faith in Lord Jesus (Romans 11:19-22), then doesn't it appear that all the warnings to these Christians about falling away, and examples of those who did fall away, are written because of the real possibility that they can fall away if they are not careful?
1 Timothy 4:16 (WEB) The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy: 16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear (listen to) you.
Romans 11:19-22 (ESV) Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (WEB) Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.
when you write it as you did, you make it appear that our ability or work of remaining is earning our salvation.
The "work" we do comes from "faith." If our Faith is genuine, then we have now renounced the old life of sinful passions, and have committed ourselves to follow Lord Jesus into a sanctified life of righteousness and love, which is what Baptism represents (Romans 6; Colossians 3:1-17).
This is "The Faith" by which the Spirit indwells the believer to lead him in the faith he committed to when he first believed.
However, the Christian remains responsible for his faith, in that, the Scriptures repeatedly warn the believers about falling away.
ok I see what your saying so they lose fellowship, not the childship (they are still sons and daughters?
Would you say that we are adopted sons and daughters through faith?
Galatians 3:26 (WEB) For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
If a Christian does not continue in the faith, is he/she still a child of God? Just wondering.
But John said a child of God can not practice sin. so when you say when a christian practices sin will not inherit the kingdom seems a tad legalistic to me.. And worries me some. which is why I am trying to understand hat you are saying before I make any rash conclusions which are in error.
A person who is "born of God" cannot continue in sin (1 John 3:9-10). However, what happens if the born of God Christian, whom John is writing to, does not remain in the faith?
1 John 2:24 (WEB) Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.
According to John, who is responsible for remaining in the Gospel doctrine - God or the Christians he is writing to?
yes. Those who are in Christ, sealed by the spirit and adopted as sons and daughters learn to walk in the spirit..
Whose obligation is it to live by the Spirit to have life?
Romans 8:12-14 (WEB) 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we [Paul includes himself] 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.
What do you think Paul meant by saying "if we do not give up" in the following Scripture?
Also, to whom will the Spirit give eternal life to according to this Passage?
Galatians 6:7 (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.
What does Paul mean when he states"
"{{{If}}} we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit?"
Is this instruction that Paul is giving for Christians to follow, and does it include himself (we/us)?
Galatians 5:24-25 (WEB) 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified [past tense] the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Are the warnings in "Galatians 5:20-21" given to Spirit indwelt Christians or false believers?
Also, whose responsibility is it to "keep in step with the Spirit?"
Galatians 5:20-21, 24 (WEB) 21 I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. ... 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk [keep in step with] by the Spirit.
Is "Hebrews 10:24-31" written as a sober warning to true Believers or false Christians?
Hebrews 10:24-31 (WEB)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
26 {{{For}}} if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge HIS people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Will God judge HIS people if they do not remain faithful? Or were these false believers all along?
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